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These 4 Cities Will Pay You Up to $18,900 to Move There - Are Any Worth Retiring In?

Cities are paying money and including other perks for workers to move.

By Paige Cerulli , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated May 12, 2026

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A strategic relocation might help you set yourself up for retirement, especially if you're being paid to make that move. Four U.S. cities are currently paying people to move there, and with perks like cash payments and housing assistance, relocating might be a tempting option. Nearly all of these programs require some sort of employment or freelance income, but with the right arrangement, they might be a good fit for individuals approaching retirement age.

Here's what you need to know about these relocation programs and how they might fit into retirement.

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Why cities are paying individuals to move

Some cities and states are actively recruiting individuals to relocate, and they're taking a unique approach to doing so. Cities and states are offering incentive programs that may include perks like housing support and cash to help cover moving costs.

Cities that incentivize people with certain skills to relocate may help boost their economy in the process, so these incentives are a sort of investment in the city's workforce and taxpayer body. According to SFGate, each remote worker generates an average of more than $80,000 for a new location's economy, so encouraging workers to relocate may provide cities with a significant economic boost.

These programs have become so common that MakeMyMove, a website, was created specifically to help workers find programs that will pay them to relocate.

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Texarkana, TX/AR

Texarkana offers a "Call Texarkana Home" incentive package valued at over $18,000. Designed for remote workers, the package includes a lump sum payment of $5,000 to help cover moving costs, a 25% discount and a free class at Texas A&M of Texarkana, and one year of access to after-hours events hosted by the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce. Other perks include discounts from local businesses, a breakfast with Texarkana's mayors and city managers, and more.

Does moving to Texarkana make sense

Texarkana might be an appealing destination to retire. According to Payscale, Texarkana's cost of living is 8% below the national average. Since Texas has no personal income tax, wages, retirement distributions, and Social Security benefits aren't taxed. Arkansas also doesn't tax Social Security benefits.

Keep in mind that this program requires participants to be full-time remote workers or self-employed individuals with an annual income of at least $60,000.

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Huntington County, Indiana

Huntington County offers incentives totaling about $15,000. That includes $5,000 cash to help with relocation costs, as well as 5% in down payment assistance and closing costs for eligible buyers who participate in the Hoosier Homes program.

Individuals who move to the City of Huntington may qualify for additional incentives, including free six-week summer day camp for kids, half-price private music lessons at the YMCA Music School, a Huntington University family sports pass for up to four people, and more.

Does moving to Huntington make sense

According to the Economic Research Institute, the cost of living in Huntington County is about 13% less expensive than the national average. It's also 4% less expensive than the average cost of living in Indiana cities.

Indiana's income tax is a flat 3%, and the state does not tax Social Security benefits. Homeowners may deduct up to $2,500 of their property tax. Additionally, residents 65 and older may get a credit from $40 to $140 if they have a federal adjusted gross income of $10,000 or less and have lived in the state for six months or more.

Northeast Indiana

Northeast Indiana's Live and Work Locally program offers participants an incentive worth approximately $11,700. It includes 5% in down payment assistance and closing costs for eligible buyers, a one-month Fort Wayne Museum of Art Family membership, and a special invite to a Meet Me at 5:05 Networking event.

This program is available for people who make at least $20,000 in their current employment, and who will secure a new full-time job in which they make at least $50,000 a year. The opportunity is not available to remote workers, gig workers, or self-employed workers.

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Does moving to Northeast Indiana make sense

According to MakeMyMove, Northeast Indiana has a diverse and growing job market, including employers in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, defense, life sciences, and agriculture.

Indiana has a flat 3% income tax, and there's no tax on Social Security benefits, but this program may be a better fit for individuals looking to work for several years before retiring. The state's low cost of living might allow participants to save up for retirement, especially if they've relocated from a state with a higher cost of living.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Cedar Rapids, Iowa offers a relocation program valued at approximately $9,050. It includes $5,000 cash for relocation costs, a free Economic Alliance membership, Parks and Recreation vouchers, five tickets for a Cedar Rapids Kernels baseball game, and more.

The program is recruiting workers who are employed full-time and able to relocate with their position, or are self-employed and able to relocate while retaining their clients. Participants must earn at least $55,000 per year.

Does moving to Cedar Rapids, Iowa make sense

According to Payscale, the cost of living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is 10% lower than the national average. As of January 2023, Iowa no longer taxes retirement income for individuals 55 years or older, so it may be an attractive destination for individuals or couples planning to retire.

The program is not currently accepting applications, but may be worth monitoring if you've been considering a move to Iowa.

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Can these programs work for retirees

Many of these programs require full-time remote or location-flexible employment, and salary minimums beginning at $55,000 per year also often apply, which excludes many traditional retirees.

However, some programs accept self-employed or freelance applicants with verifiable income, so retirees doing contract or consulting work might qualify.

Keep in mind that incentives are usually paid after you've moved, and the payments are often staggered across your stay to encourage you to remain in the location long-term.

Bottom line

If you're considering a move, these relocation programs might help reduce your costs and might even affect your decision of which city you want to live in. Many of the programs may be quickly closed or paused once caps are reached, so if you're considering a program, you may want to apply soon.

Moving to an area with a lower cost of living might help you to stretch your budget, plus it may give you the chance to enjoy a new culture. If a move is part of your retirement plan, one of these programs might give you an extra financial boost.

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