American Cities That Pay You to Move There
Verified updates checked 3 October 2026
“Make Detroit Home” (launched April 2026, run by the nonprofit MoveDetroit): $15,000 stipends for selected creatives, entrepreneurs and small business owners (it can go to a down payment, renovation or rent), and $1,000 of support for other eligible residents including people relocating. About 313 places in total.
Separately, the current Niagara Falls first-time buyer program offers up to $5,000 toward closing costs. This is distinct from the $7,000 residence incentive described below.
Plenty of people dream of moving to America, but most get stuck at the moment of truth: choosing the state and the city where they will actually live. So whether you already live in America and want to move to another city or state, or you are still only thinking about emigrating and like to keep up with news from Uncle Sam’s country, get ready. Grab a pen and paper and clear your head, because what follows could really help you.
To start: did you know that some states and cities in the United States will give you money to live there?
The obvious question, for you and for many others, is why. Why would these places pay you, and what do they gain from attracting new residents or immigrants? The short answer is taxes.
Taxes are a large and important part of the budgets of American cities and states. America is a federal system, so each state collects taxes from its residents and spends them on public services. The more people a state has, the more tax revenue and income it earns, and the more services it can give its residents.
So let us begin the list of states and cities that pay you to move there.
1. Detroit, Michigan
Detroit has a proud industrial history, but for some time the city has been struggling after many of its car plants closed, which pushed many residents, especially young people, to leave. The city council therefore created a program to attract new residents. What Detroit offers newcomers is clear:
Down Payment Assistance, round 3 (opened March 2026): up to $25,000 for eligible home buyers, for up to 450 households, funded by federal block grant money. There are eligibility rules and a small buyer contribution (about $1,000).
If you plan to rent, you receive $2,500 toward your rent in the first year and $1,000 in the second.
2. Harmony, Minnesota
The city’s Economic Development Authority pays cash rebates for new housing construction and major renovation, from $1,500 to $20,000 depending on the final taxable value of the property. The rebate is claimed within 12 months of approval.
3. New Haven, Connecticut
The current first-time homebuyer program provides a zero-interest loan forgiven at 20% a year over five years if the conditions are met. For low-income families, assistance cannot exceed the greater of 6% of the purchase price or $20,000. If you would rather rent than buy, you also get a cash subsidy of $2,500. New Haven also offers $40,000 in support if you decide to convert your home to alternative energy.
4. Vermont
Description from the original 2021 edition: Here it is an entire state with a slightly different program, called the Remote Worker Grant. It gives you $10,000 if you live in the state but work remotely over the internet. The grant also requires that you have a full-time remote work contract. Current status: the state agency says funding for this program is no longer available.
5. Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is split between two countries, Canada and the United States. The city of Niagara Falls, New York (the American side of the falls) offers a $7,000 grant for living in the city for two years, in certain neighborhoods with low population density. So all you have to do is live there for two years, enjoy the spectacular scenery, and collect $7,000.
6. Alaska
In 1980 the state began a program paying cash to its residents from the profits of the mineral wealth it is rich in. For 2026 the payment is $1,000 plus $200 energy relief, totaling $1,200, according to Anchorage Daily News, provided you have lived within the state for a year or more. To entice new residents, the state also has many programs to help with renovating, buying or renting a home.
That is the end of the list of states and cities that give cash to their new residents. But some other states and cities have different programs that entitle you to a free plot of land, on condition that you build a house and live there. For example:
7. Marquette, Kansas
Its program for attracting new residents gives you a free plot of land, on condition that you build a house on it and live in the state within a year of receiving the land.
8. Lincoln Center, Kansas
The City of Lincoln Center has ended its residential free land program and is selling the remaining lots to a local developer.
9. Curtis, Nebraska
The city’s program is very simple. You choose any available plot you like, and it is given to you free, on condition that you build a house and live in it.
Two points worth making in closing
First, you should know that the states and cities offering these programs to attract residents have small populations. That means job opportunities may be fewer than in the crowded states. They can also be remote towns, or have high crime rates. On the other hand, they are certainly far cheaper than the crowded states where most new immigrants want to settle.
Second, for the cities that offer free land: keep in mind that the land comes fully serviced, with everything you would expect, so in practice you really do get the land for nothing. What remains is for you to build and complete the house within a set period of time. Even then, the cities and states that want to attract you do not usually leave you without help. They offer support programs, including interest-free loans or loans on easy terms, to encourage you to decide to move there sooner rather than later.
Article originally published on 21 December 2021; updated on 3 October 2026.