Jul 12, 2026
Many Americans are struggling with the rising cost of living — and there doesn’t seem to be any relief in sight.
About half of American families (49%) can’t afford the “true” cost of living, meaning they don’t have enough to cover essential expenses to live securely, according to research from the Urban Institute.
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While average earnings have risen 43% nationwide since 2017, home prices have skyrocketed by 81% (with rent jumping 54%), according to the Urban Institute. The cost of groceries, gas, electricity and childcare have also risen sharply, and even the lowest-cost plan on the Affordable Care Act Marketplace has jumped 77%.
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That means the cost of living is outpacing wage growth. That could be why some Americans are considering a move to a more affordable city or region.
If that’s the case, it’s worth relocating to a city that will actually pay you to move there, in the form of cash, down payment assistance or even free land, along with perks.
According to Zillow, 10 cities offer relocation packages to entice you there. Some are targeting remote workers, while others cast a wide net to capture anyone who chooses to build a life in their community.
Relocation assistance for remote workers
Are you a remote worker or an entrepreneur looking for relocation assistance with all the perks to help you get set up in a new city — one with a lower cost of living than your current locale?
Texarkana, which straddles the Texas-Arkansas border, is offering up to $18,900 in incentives for remote workers, including $5,000 in cash for relocation, a one-year membership to The Assembly Line creator space and one year of access to after-hours events hosted by the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce. You’ll even get breakfast with the city’s mayor and city managers. To qualify, you’ll need to earn at least $60,000 annually.
Another option, Hutchinson, Kansas, about an hour’s drive from Wichita, is offering a $5,000 cash relocation incentive. It’s also adding $5,000 for new homebuyers, free Chamber membership and breakfast with Hutchinson leaders. You’ll even get the classic welcome-to-the-neighborhood gift: a homemade casserole in an Apron Strings dish. To qualify, you must be self-employed or employed full-time and able to relocate, with an annual household income of at least $55,000.
Paducah, Kentucky, is also looking to attract remote workers with a $5,000 cash relocation bonus, split into two installments. You’ll get half when you move there and the other half on your first anniversary. As an additional perk, 2% of the city’s payroll tax is waived for one year and you’ll receive a free internet stipend for 12 months. As a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, you’ll also receive free tickets and passes for cultural experiences. To qualify, you’ll need to commit to staying at least two years and working remotely full-time.
Tulsa, Oklahoma, is offering a $10,000 grant through its relocation program, Tulsa Remote, for qualifying workers. You’ll receive either a lump sum or monthly disbursements after buying a qualifying home or monthly disbursements if you’re renting. While the money is helpful, you’ll also gain access to a large community of remote workers with monthly community events and networking opportunities. To qualify, you need to work remotely on a full-time basis for an employer based outside Oklahoma or be self-employed.
Muncie, Indiana, also has a remote worker offer that provides a $5,000 relocation incentive, along with access to a co-working space at the Innovation Connector, which also offers workshops and free networking. The total incentive value is worth $6,500. To qualify, you must currently live outside of Indiana, earn at least $50,000 annually and be able to relocate while retaining your current job or clients.
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Columbus is Georgia’s second-largest city, and its Columbus Remote Worker Incentive Program offers incentives valued up to $8,700, including a $5,000 cash relocation bonus, paid in two installments, as well as $3,200 in community perks. These include access to a coworking space and a Columbus Experience Package for local attractions. To qualify, you must have an annual salary of $75,000 and commit to living there for at least one year.
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Down payment assistance
If buying a home seems out of reach, some towns and cities are offering down payment assistance and other perks, such as free land to build a new home.
For example, the Village of Elwood in Nebraska is offering lots in its Wheatfield Addition community, which is near amenities like parks and schools. You pay a refundable $500 deposit and a $50 building permit fee in exchange for the land. Upon completion of the construction of your home, Elwood will provide a payment of up to 10% of the construction cost, to a maximum of $25,000, in down payment assistance, so long as you start building within a year and live in it within two years of the purchase date.
Jackson, Michigan, provides $25,000 in down payment assistance for qualified buyers who buy a home on one of 100 vacant city-owned residential lots. Of those lots, 21 are eligible for an additional $30,000 in down payment assistance, for a total of $55,000. Applicants may also qualify for another $10,000 of down payment assistance through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). The city is constructing one- and two-storey homes, with a sales price of $178,000. To qualify, you must earn up to, but not more than, 120% of the city’s median income.
Ontario, Oregon, abutting on the Idaho border, is offering a $10,000 incentive if you build a new-construction home within two years of the application approval. To qualify, the residence must be a single-family home and owner-occupied, with more than 1,600 square feet of living space or 1,350 square feet for a home with a two-car garage and two bathrooms.
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If you’re looking for more affordable living and an easy commute to work, Baltimore, Maryland, is offering down payment assistance through its Live Near Your Work program, so long as you work for one of more than 100 employers in the city that participate in the program. In exchange, you agree to buy a home within the city. The amount of assistance you receive will depend on your employer, but can range from $2,000 to $19,500, and the city matches your employer’s contributions between $1,000 to $2,500.
Other considerations
Many of these cities offer a lower-than-average cost of living, with housing prices that are much lower than the national average of $370,320. In Muncie, for example, the typical home value is $157,401, while in Hutchinson it is $151,435.
A long-distance or cross-country move can be expensive, ranging anywhere from $2,200 to $17,000, depending on how far you’re moving, how much you’re moving and when you move. That’s where a cash relocation incentive can come in handy, but even that may not be enough.
While relocation perks can be enticing, as is the prospect of more affordable living, it’s important to consider all the factors.
If you’re looking for a quieter life in a small town, then Hutchinson or Elwood might be a good fit. If you’re outdoorsy, Ontario is located just outside the Boise National Forest. For small-city living with access to a major metro area, Muncie is just an hour’s drive from Indianapolis. For more affordable living in a big city, Baltimore is one of the most affordable on the East Coast.
It’s a good idea to visit the location before committing to a move. If you can spend more than a weekend there, preferably visit a few times in different seasons, that will help you decide. Also, research the cost of living in your potential new hometown to see if your money will stretch further. It’s also important to factor in other costs, such as access to medical care and commuting time.
If you end up participating in a city-run relocation program, make sure you understand all of the terms and conditions. For example, you may be required to live there for a minimum time, and if you don’t live up to your end of the agreement, you might have to repay the cash incentives.
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Vawn Himmelsbach is a veteran journalist who covers tech, business, finance and travel. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, National Post, CBC News, Yahoo Finance, MSN, CAA Magazine, Travelweek, Explore Magazine and Consumer Reports.
