6 Small U.S. Towns That Will Pay You To Move There

If you’re becoming disillusioned with the challenges of U.S. city life or the cost of living in a large urban area, you might be considering downsizing to a smaller town. Doing so doesn’t have to cost as much as you fear, if you’re able to take advantage of one of a number of relocation package offers designed to tempt skilled workers — particularly those who can work remotely — to build a new life in small towns across the country. Take a look at where you might end up with these six small U.S. towns that will pay you to move there.

Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Located on the banks of the Tennessee River in northern Alabama, this affordable town has a population of around 15,000 people. Muscle Shoals is looking to boost its population with a program aimed at remote workers. It offers payment installments amounting to $10,000 for those keen to relocate and who fit the advertised criteria, such as having an annual income of more than $52,000 and enjoying the right to work in the U.S. 

The town is best known for its two music studios, FAME Studio and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. During their heydays in the 1960s and 1970s, big-name artists such as Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and the Rolling Stones laid down tracks here. As a consequence, newcomers can expect a warm welcome and a lively arts scene in Muscle Shoals. The town is also about 90 minutes from Huntsville, one of the fastest-growing cities in America. 

Newton, Iowa

Buy or build a qualifying new home in Newton, Iowa, and you could get $10,000 as a thank you from the city. To attract newcomers, the local housing development corporation has also put together a “Get To Know Newton Welcome Package.” It is aimed at helping new residents feel at home as quickly as possible by offering discounts in local restaurants, shops, and other businesses that are worth more than $2,500 in total. 

Newton, a town of about 16,000 people, is located about 30 miles east of Des Moines and is home to the NASCAR-owned Iowa Speedway. It hosts a program of appealing special events throughout the year, including the annual Newton Fest and summer Thunder Nites.

Fayetteville, West Virginia

Fayetteville, a charming small town with fewer than 3,000 residents, is one of a number of West Virginia locales offering financial incentives to would-be relocators. Under the Ascend program, remote workers can apply for a generous package that offers a gateway to a new life in this beautiful mountain region. The $12,000 sweetener helps cover moving and settling-in expenses.

Nearby, exploring the newest national park in the U.S. (New River Gorge) will appeal to those who love to get outdoors during their free time. The program also provides a year of complimentary activities, such as whitewater rafting, downhill skiing, ziplining, and golf, with the included Digital Outdoor Recreation Pass.

Lincoln Center, Kansas

A generous sum of $5,000 to cover relocation costs is up for grabs if you choose to build a new life in Lincoln Center, Kansas, under the Make My Move scheme. Like many places in the state, the town is classed as a Rural Opportunity Zone, which means that those eligible can earn a one-year state income tax waiver and assistance with paying off student debt. 

Recipients can also take advantage of “Tea Time with Marilyn, the Mother of Lincoln County Tourism.” Talking with local business owner Marilyn Helmer, also a history buff and author, can give you a greater appreciation of what this attractive Kansas town has to offer and smooth your transition. Also on offer is a welcome potluck dinner, membership to a local fitness center, and tickets to see a movie at Finch Theatre. They’ll even throw in a dozen farm-fresh eggs every month for your first year.

Texarkana, Texas and Arkansas

Straddling the state line between Texas and Arkansas, and situated close to the border with Louisiana, Texarkana is home to well-preserved historic buildings, charming boutique stores, and inviting restaurants. Meanwhile, colorful street murals provide a backdrop to the festivals and special events that make living here an attractive proposition. 

Texarkana recently launched its REDI…set…move! initiative, aimed at remote workers earning at least $75,000 a year. It offers a payment of $5,000 to cover moving costs and a slew of other benefits, including tickets to see the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra at its home in the historic Perot Theatre, which opened in 1924. 

Delphi, Indiana

Delphi celebrates its bicentenary in 2028. Like many small towns in Indiana, it is actively encouraging new residents, offering $5,000 to those who are eligible for its relocation scheme, along with invites to a number of networking events to help make those all-important connections. 

The town sits beside the Wabash and Erie Canal, which was once a vital route for trade until the rise of the railroad. The longest canal ever constructed in North America, it was built to connect the Great Lakes to the Ohio River. Today, this waterway is a treasured resource for leisure pursuits. With the program, those moving here can also score tickets for the Wabash and Erie Canal Experience, which includes a boat ride and admission to Pioneer Village. Another treat in store for newcomers comes in the form of tickets for the Annual Indiana Bacon Festival.