Small towns use cash and community to lure high-income remote workers

Rural towns across the U.S. are increasingly offering relocation bonuses of up to $20,000 to attract high-income remote workers, with programs demonstrating strong retention rates and significant economic returns. Platforms like MakeMyMove have emerged as key facilitators, connecting municipalities with remote professionals willing to trade urban costs for rural affordability and community. Since 2021, MakeMyMove has enabled over 4,000 relocations, with many households originating from high-cost states like California, Texas, Florida, and Illinois. The platform’s internal modeling, developed with the Indiana Public Policy Institute, estimates that a $15,000 relocation package in Noblesville, Indiana, attracted 102 households with an average income of $138,000, generating an annual economic impact of over $10.6 million. In southwest Indiana, 93 households with an average income of $97,000 were drawn by a $5,500 per household incentive, resulting in $5.4 million in annual economic benefits.

The retention of these relocated households is a critical metric for the success of such programs. MakeMyMove COO Evan Hock notes that 90% of participants typically stay after the first year, and 70% remain after three years. The economic impact per household is substantial, with each $100,000 in new income generating about $83,000 in new economic output annually. This output includes not only direct tax contributions but also indirect economic activity from consumer spending and job creation. A significant portion of new arrivals—about a quarter—brings a spouse who secures employment locally, amplifying the program’s economic value. Hock emphasized that these outcomes far exceed traditional economic development models, where the cost per job secured through corporate incentives often exceeds $15,000 to $20,000 per position.

Communities are leveraging these programs to address specific labor shortages in sectors such as healthcare, education, and law enforcement. For example, California’s Stockton Unified School District offers up to $10,000 in signing bonuses for teachers, while the Alameda Police Department provides up to $75,000 for officers. These targeted incentives help address critical workforce needs in high-cost regions, enabling rural towns to compete with urban centers for skilled labor. Additionally, the programs serve as tools for revitalizing declining populations and diversifying local economies. In Terre Haute, Indiana, a city offering $7,500 relocation incentives, 42 residents had relocated by mid-2025, with an average income of $80,000—far exceeding the city’s median income of $40,000. Mayor Brandon Sakbun highlighted that these programs are complemented by local investments in housing, infrastructure, and community engagement to ensure long-term growth and integration.

While relocation bonuses provide an initial draw, the long-term success of these programs hinges on a sense of community and inclusion. Many towns go to great lengths to integrate new residents, hosting events such as “coffee with the mayor” meetups, co-working spaces, and local hiking groups. Tulsa, for instance, organizes monthly networking events for new residents, while Noblesville offers home buyer assistance to help individuals establish roots. Evan Hock emphasized that while the monetary incentives are effective in attracting attention, it is the community integration that ensures sustained residency. He cited the example of Drew Thompson, a film editor who relocated from California to Texarkana, Texas, after accepting a $5,000 relocation bonus. Thompson noted that the program’s emphasis on community and inclusion was instrumental in his decision to stay and contribute to the local economy.

The expansion of these programs has not been without challenges. Economic experts like Tim Bartik caution that while relocation incentives can offer short-term gains, they must be paired with long-term investments in housing and infrastructure to avoid negative side effects such as rising housing costs and environmental strain. In Noblesville, local leaders are balancing growth with strategic investments in parks, schools, and public services to sustain the quality of life that attracted new residents in the first place. Similarly, Texarkana’s program, facilitated by AR-TX Regional Economic Development Inc., has seen a surge in tech professionals, with an average income of $110,000—more than double the area’s median income. CEO Rob Sitterley noted that the program’s success lies in its ability to integrate new residents quickly, offering tailored introductions to local organizations and officials.

As these programs gain traction, they are reshaping the landscape of economic development. States like Indiana have become models, with Noblesville and Terre Haute using relocation incentives to boost population and economic output. The broader implications extend beyond immediate financial returns, influencing how communities define economic growth and quality of life. With over 200 cities and towns now utilizing platforms like MakeMyMove, and programs expanding into international markets such as the Dominican Republic, the model appears poised for continued growth. As remote work becomes more prevalent, rural towns are finding innovative ways to compete for talent, using a combination of incentives, community engagement, and strategic investments to create thriving, inclusive environments for high-income remote workers.

Source: [1] Rural towns are handing out $10000 relocation bonuses to ... (https://fortune.com/2025/09/03/relocation-incentive-programs-remote-work-rural-towns-cash-california/) [2] California remote workers are bringing their high salaries ... (https://www.sfgate.com/california/article/califorrnia-remote-workers-bringing-high-salaries-20801548.php) [3] Relocation Tips for Remote & On-Site Workers (https://www.makemymove.com/articles)