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From Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Pawnee City, Nebraska, American cities are rolling out welcome mats — complete with housing stipends and remote-work perks — to encourage new residents to put down roots.
As remote work gained popularity, so did tempting relocation programs and homebuying incentives. In fact, over 70 communities are actively offering incentives to people to relocate.
Why Are Cities Paying People to Relocate?
Communities are competing for talent, energy, and growth. These incentives increase an area’s population, help revitalize local economies, can fill workforce gaps, and breathe new life into once-quiet main streets. They can also mean the difference between being categorized as a city versus a village, as seen in places like Pawnee City, Nebraska.
For those seeking affordability, community, and a fresh start, relocation incentive programs represent more than a financial boost — they’re an invitation to belong. In this article, we examine how relocation incentives for four communities are transforming the American landscape, what motivates cities to offer them, and why relocating to a new city can be one of the smartest investments.
Additionally, homebuying incentives provide individuals with the opportunity to relocate or access financial assistance while searching for housing.
Tulsa Remote Generates Over $600 Million into the Local Economy
Supported by the George Kaiser Family Foundation, Tulsa Remote has grown from 70 remote workers when it launched in 2018 to more than 3,400 in 2025. Those accepted into the program receive a $10,000 grant to help with relocation to Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“Tulsa Remote started as an experiment, which we believed would help diversify the economy and give back to Tulsans. And we really see that being true through this research,” Tulsa Remote Managing Director Justin Harlan told News 6. “For every 100 people that we bring to the city, there are 60 jobs created at a local level.”
Image Source: City of Newton
In addition to financial support, participants gain membership in a thriving community of remote professionals, along with access to social, networking, and resource-sharing opportunities. Tulsa Remote presents Tulsa as an affordable and vibrant place to live and work, backed by local support systems that help new residents integrate and thrive.
The results speak for themselves. According to Harlan, 70 percent of participants remain in Tulsa after completing the program. A recent study by the W.E. Upjohn Institute found that every $1 invested in Tulsa Remote generates more than $4 in local economic benefits. The program is also six times more effective at creating jobs than traditional business incentives.
Tulsa Remote Generates Over $600 Million into the Local Economy
Supported by the George Kaiser Family Foundation, Tulsa Remote has grown from 70 remote workers when it launched in 2018 to more than 3,400 in 2025. Those accepted into the program receive a $10,000 grant to help with relocation to Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“Tulsa Remote started as an experiment, which we believed would help diversify the economy and give back to Tulsans. And we really see that being true through this research,” Tulsa Remote Managing Director Justin Harlan told News 6. “For every 100 people that we bring to the city, there are 60 jobs created at a local level.”
In addition to financial support, participants gain membership in a thriving community of remote professionals, along with access to social, networking, and resource-sharing opportunities. Tulsa Remote presents Tulsa as an affordable and vibrant place to live and work, backed by local support systems that help new residents integrate and thrive.
The results speak for themselves. According to Harlan, 70 percent of participants remain in Tulsa after completing the program. A recent study by the W.E. Upjohn Institute found that every $1 invested in Tulsa Remote generates more than $4 in local economic benefits. The program is also six times more effective at creating jobs than traditional business incentives.
Ascend WV Attracts 1K New Residents, Keeps 96%
Ascend WV was created by West Virginia University’s Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative.The initiative reflects WVU’s land-grant mission to strengthen the state’s economy and enhance quality of life. It’s funded through a mix of private donations, state support, and grants — including a $25 million gift from Brad and Alys Smith to WVU.
By welcoming remote workers to live, work, and explore in West Virginia, the program is creating a ripple effect of growth and vitality across local communities.
Designed to attract professionals to the state’s breathtaking mountain towns, Ascend WV blends financial incentives, community connection, and outdoor adventure. Participants receive a generous relocation package — including $12,000 in support, free access to outdoor gear, coworking spaces, and curated social events — all designed to help them settle into life in “Almost Heaven.”
“The Ascend program continues to grow by leaps and bounds, and granting these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities is a testament to the increased interest and excitement around West Virginia,” said West Virginia Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby.
Since its launch in 2021, the program has received over 58,600 applications, proof of its appeal. Retention has been equally impressive: among those who’ve participated for at least four months, 97.3 percent have chosen to stay. In September, the program expanded to include a Charleston-area offering, boosting incentives to over $20,000 for new arrivals.
“This new incentive helps make it easier for new residents to put down roots in our friendly communities and great state. I’m looking forward to all the Ascenders who will call Almost Heaven their home,” added Ruby.
Pawnee City’s $50,000 Housing Incentive Program
As of 2025, Pawnee City, Nebraska, had about 834 residents, up from about 865 in late 2024, and the community is working hard to stay above the 800-person mark, the threshold that would reclassify it as a village. The city wants to avoid village status because reclassification could lead to a loss of tax revenue, making it harder to fund essential services like schools and a hospital.
In response comes the Vision 2030 initiative. This Pawnee City New Homes program is an exciting revitalization push focused on constructing 25 new single-family homes and 25 rental homes distributed across Pawnee City, Nebraska.
“In the virtual workplace, people can work from anywhere … we just have to offer them a reason to choose Pawnee City,” says Steve Glenn of the local Economic Development Council.
The goal? To attract families, professionals, and retirees seeking a mix of rural calm and essential amenities, including investments in parks, beautification, and community amenities such as the Van Horn Park amphitheater and new pickleball courts.
The program offers a $50,000 down payment assistance — for qualifying buyers, this amount is provided as a 0 percent interest, no-payment second mortgage, helping to reduce the upfront cost of homeownership. To access this benefit, applicants must qualify for a conventional first mortgage and meet income thresholds based on household size (up to 120% of the area median income).
These efforts are supported by a $650,000 grant from the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund and the generosity of local alums and donors through the nonprofit Pawnee City BOLD.
Beyond housing, the program incorporates quality-of-life elements, including parks, trails, community events, childcare, quality schools, and access to medical care. Its goal is twofold: to stem rural population decline and foster a sustainable, vibrant community through growth, new residents, and renewed economic activity.
Image Source: City of Newton
149 New Homes and Counting: Newton’s Steady Growth Story
First launched in 2014, the Newton Housing Initiative in Newton, Iowa, was designed to stimulate new home construction, enhance housing quality, and fuel the city’s tax base. The program offers up to $10,000 cash and a “Get to Know Newton” welcome package to buyers of newly built, owner-occupied single-family homes valued at $240,000 or more (excluding land).
“For a while, we weren’t growing,” said Newton Housing Development Corp. Housing Director Bruce Showalter. “The 2020 Census showed our highest population ever — but after the Maytag closure, we’d lost about 500 people.” Once home to the iconic appliance manufacturer, Newton suffered when Whirlpool acquired Maytag in 2006, shuttering its headquarters and eliminating roughly 3,000 local jobs.
By 2011, no single-family permits were issued. A housing study confirmed the community’s fears: families were leaving, the population was aging, and few young households were moving in. The initiative became Newton’s comeback plan — funded annually through the city budget and active through June 2026.
Homes valued under $240,000 can qualify for tax abatements through the City-Wide Urban Revitalization Plan. To be eligible, each home must be fully completed, certified for occupancy, and equipped with a radon remediation system to ensure safety and compliance.
Since its inception, the program has helped permit 149 new single-family homes, averaging 15 per year — a steady pace that reflects Newton’s resilience and renewed appeal as a growing, family-friendly community.
