Five states are offering up to $20,000 for new residents to settle down – here is where you can get pay to move to

As the cost of living rises across the country, some states are offering big financial incentives to bring new residents to their cities.

An analysis by Republican members of the U.S. Senate Joint Economic Committee, which compared prices of everyday necessities, including food, housing, energy and transportation, from October 2023 to January 2021, found that Americans need an additional $11,400 per year to be able to afford the same quality of life.

Looking to defer expensive expenses, affordability could be the strongest driver of real estate in 2024, according to Zillow.

The real estate company said cities in the Great Lakes, the Midwest and the South are among the hottest markets this year due to job growth, home value growth and the speed at which homes are selling.

For those looking to get paid to move and escape high-density city life, here are five states with affordable housing options and moving bonuses, according to MakeMyMove.com.

West Virginia

The Ascend West Virginia program offers $12,000 to remote workers who move to the Mountain State.

Applicants must be 18 years or older and already working a full-time remote job to be eligible for the program.

If selected, participants will receive $10,000 during their first year, paid in monthly installments. They will then receive $2,000 upon completion of their second year in West Virginia.

Cities like Morgantown and Greenbrier Valley are offering additional incentives that bring the total to $20,000.

According to Zillow, the median home value in West Virginia is $154,371.

Kansas

In Kansas, the city of Topeka is offering up to $15,000 to move and work in Shawnee County.

Participants in the GO Topeka program must work for an employer participating in the program and relocate to Topeka for their full-time job. They can receive $10,000 toward renting in the first year and $15,000 in cash toward the purchase of a home.

Kansas also offers a tax reimbursement for employee relocation expenses for those who move to the Sunflower State.

The median home value in Kansas is $212,995.

Oklahoma

The Tulsa Remote Program offers $10,000 to remote workers who move to Oklahoma.

Program requirements currently include full-time remote employment and living outside of Oklahoma for a full year before applying.

If selected, participants will receive their money after a lease is signed or a qualifying home is purchased and approved. In addition to the fair, participants receive a 36-month membership to a co-working space.

In Oklahoma, the median home value is $195,594.

Indiana

Several Indiana communities are offering relocation incentives to attract new residents to their towns.

Marion and Angola are offering cash incentives starting at $5,000. In southern Indiana, Daviess County will give new residents $5,000 to move to the rural community.

The median home value in Indiana is $227,178.

Kentucky

Five counties in eastern Kentucky came together to offer financial incentives to remote workers Shaping our Appalachians.

The packages include a $5,000 cash grant for relocation, the opportunity to access a $2,500 bonus for a spouse who will work locally in education or healthcare, and a $250 welcome package.

The offer is available in Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Letcher and Pike counties.

In Kentucky, the median home value is $194,848.