These 7 Places Are Offering Incentives for Remote Workers to Relocate

With more than half of all workers in the U.S. working remotely, some people are considering relocating to be closer to family or have a lower cost of living (or just a change of scenery!).  Some people are utilizing international digital nomad visas to see new areas as they work, but remote work incentives exist domestically too. As workers leave urban hubs, some places are hoping to attract young professionals with tax breaks and even grants. If you’re looking for a new place to call home as a remote worker, consider one of the cities or states below that will offer you enticing relocation perks.

States Paying Workers to Move There

Rural states with low populations that want to grow economically are offering cash for remote workers to assist with moving costs and transitioning to a new home. Here are three incentive programs to consider.

Maine

Maine offers a tax credit to college graduates from 2016 onward who live in the state (regardless of where their employer is located), which can be used to pay student loans. The credit varies by income and major but begins at $373 per month. You can learn more about the credit and moving to Maine here.

Vermont

Like to be outside? The mountainous state of Vermont has a grant program that offers up to $5,000 in grant funds for remote workers moving to the state. The program is currently closed for new applications, but likely will open for another round later this year. You can learn more about the grant program, and life in Vermont, here.

Alaska

The entire state of Alaska has only 631,000 residents, but that may change soon as remote workers relocate to the northern state.  Every year, Alaska residents receive a check, typically for about $1,600, just for living in the state. The funds come from Alaska’s oil revenues and are offered regardless of income.

Besides these state programs, many individual cities and regions are launching remote work incentives of their own. Read on to learn about a few options.

Cities and Regions Paying Workers to Move There

As smaller cities vie to attract remote workers leaving large urban hubs like New York, Los Angeles and Silicon Valley, they’re offering everything from cash grants to mountain bikes to bring in new residents. Here are five relocation programs to consider as a remote worker.

Northwest Arkansas

If you like to bike, you’ll enjoy Northwest Arkansas’ remote work incentives. The Ozarks region of the state is offering grants of $10,000 for remote workers moving there, as well as a free mountain or road bike to enjoy hundreds of miles of bike trails. Remote workers can also receive free membership to a museum of their choice. Learn more about the program here.

Savannah, Georgia

The southern city of Savannah, GA is offering $2,000 grants to remote technology workers who move there. Both freelancers and remote employees of tech companies can qualify for the grants, which can be put towards any moving costs associated with relocating to Savannah. Learn more about the program here.

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Want $10,000 in your pocket and membership to a coworking space for free? Tulsa will give it to you. You can get a $10,000 cash grant for moving to the city and membership to 36 Degrees North, one of the city’s largest coworking spaces. There are also remote-worker specials on apartment buildings and homes for rent. Learn more about the program here.

Topeka, Kansas

Remote workers relocating to Topeka can receive up to $15,000 from the city to rent a place to live or buy a home. You must live in Shawnee County, where Topeka is located, for three months before applying. Learn more about the program here.

Conclusion: Remote Work is Changing How People Live

With the flexibility to work anywhere, some people are considering moving to smaller cities or areas where the cost of living is lower and their salaries could go father.  Cities and states hoping to grow their population with remote workers are even willing to pay cash to bring in new residents. If you’re preparing for a big move, we can help you arrange everything you’ll need to get done, including changing your residency, getting new insurance, and even getting TSA Pre-Check for your flight to your new home, with Skip Plus. You can also follow along here on the Skip blog, and of course on our app (free on the App Store or Google Play), for more news and updates about the future of work.