As the COVID-19 pandemic scatters people from some of America’s largest cities to suburbs, rural areas and smaller cities, there has been a great deal of media coverage about the fact that some locations will pay people to move there. Why? Probably to increase the tax base, eventually, after payments to move have run out. Also, small cities may want to build demand for local merchants. Whatever the reason, at least one city is willing to pay people $20,000 to come there and be permanent residents.
According to MakeMyMove, Morgantown, West Virginia, will pay people $20,000 to move there. Of this, $12,000 is a cash payment. The balance is in various credits. The plan targets people who can work remotely, since the city has no large businesses that employ thousands of people. The program is run by Ascend WV, which works to identify and screen candidates.
Not everyone qualifies for the incentive. There is an application process. People can be rejected, and some will be, presumably. What is called the Ascend Morgantown says applications start May 31. It will begin to accept people in August.
The program has many conditions, which potentially makes it unattractive. Benefits are taxable. Final payments for the money earned by moving are not made until the end of the second year of residence. People must stay for two consecutive years. Only 50 spots are open.
The program says the population of Morgantown is 137,251. Almost 90% of the population is white, so it is not a diverse community. The median household income, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, is $56,395, about 90% of the national average. The poverty rate is 20.1%, over one and a half times the national number.
Is the Morgantown deal a good offer? If people want to live in a small town with a low cost of living, then perhaps. If they are interested in a racially diverse population, then probably not.
To identify the city that will pay you $20,000 to move there, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the cash or other incentive offers listed on MakeMyMove.com. Total population is from the American Community Survey 2019 5-year estimates.
Click here to see which city will pay you $20,000 to move there.
Las Vegas, Nevada
> Population: 634,773
> Total incentive value: $1
> Incentive package: Gift: various amenities
[in-text-ad]
Chattanooga, Tennessee
> Population: 179,690
> Total incentive value: $1
> Incentive package: Program in development
24/7 Wall St.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
> Population: 2,448,000
> Total incentive value: $1
> Incentive package: Various incentives
Janesville, Minnesota
> Population: 2,507
> Total incentive value: $1,730
> Incentive package: Tax Credits
[in-text-ad-2]
Savannah, Georgia
> Population: 145,403
> Total incentive value: $2,000
> Incentive package: Relocation reimbursement
Buffalo, New York
> Population: 256,480
> Total incentive value: $2,500
> Incentive package: Home construction in discounted city lot
[in-text-ad]
Honolulu, Hawaii
> Population: 342,933
> Total incentive value: $2,500
> Incentive package: Relocation reimbursement
Curtis, Nebraska
> Population: 811
> Total incentive value: $3,000
> Incentive package: Free lot, $1,000 in cash
Mankato, Kansas
> Population: 829
> Total incentive value: $3,000
> Incentive package: Free lot
[in-text-ad-2]
La Villa, Texas
> Population: 2,720
> Total incentive value: $3,000
> Incentive package: Free lot
Osceola, Iowa
> Population: 5,103
> Total incentive value: $3,000
> Incentive package: Free lot
[in-text-ad]
Elwood, Nebraska
> Population: 829
> Total incentive value: $3,000
> Incentive package: Free lot
24/7 Wall St.
Claremont, Minnesota
> Population: 779
> Total incentive value: $3,000
> Incentive package: Free property
Lincoln, Kansas
> Population: 2,926
> Total incentive value: $3,000
> Incentive package: Free lot
[in-text-ad-2]
Wilson, Kansas
> Population: 708
> Total incentive value: $3,000
> Incentive package: Free lot
New Richland, Minnesota
> Population: 1,136
> Total incentive value: $3,000
> Incentive package: Free lot
[in-text-ad]
Manilla, Iowa
> Population: 895
> Total incentive value: $3,000
> Incentive package: Free lot
24/7 Wall St.
Marquette, Kansas
> Population: 801
> Total incentive value: $3,000
> Incentive package: Free lot
Halstad, Minnesota
> Population: 581
> Total incentive value: $3,000
> Incentive package: Free lot
[in-text-ad-2]
Juneau, Alaska
> Population: 32,227
> Total incentive value: $3,000
> Incentive package: $1,000 in cash
Osborne, Kansas
> Population: 1,575
> Total incentive value: $3,000
> Incentive package: Free lot
[in-text-ad]
Bemidji, Minnesota
> Population: 15,132
> Total incentive value: $4,000
> Incentive package: $2,500 relocation reimbursement, $1,500 gift
Charleston, West Virginia
> Population: 48,006
> Total incentive value: $5,000
> Incentive package: Relocation incentive
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
> Population: 19,569
> Total incentive value: $5,000
> Incentive package: $2,500 in cash, $2,500 in various benefits
[in-text-ad-2]
West Lafayette, Indiana
> Population: 48,551
> Total incentive value: $5,000
> Incentive package: Various incentives
Baltimore, Maryland
> Population: 609,032
> Total incentive value: $5,000
> Incentive package: $5,000 in home ownership
[in-text-ad]
Natchez, Mississippi
> Population: 14,981
> Total incentive value: $8,500
> Incentive package: $2,500 relocation reimbursement, $6,000 in home ownership
Bloomfield, Iowa
> Population: 2,658
> Total incentive value: $10,000
> Incentive package: $10,000 tax credit
The Shoals, Alabama
> Population: 72,528
> Total incentive value: $10,000
> Incentive package: $10,000 in cash
[in-text-ad-2]
Britt, Iowa
> Population: 1,893
> Total incentive value: $10,000
> Incentive package: Free lot
Ontario, Oregon
> Population: 10,966
> Total incentive value: $10,000
> Incentive package: $10,000 in home construction
[in-text-ad]
Northwest, Arkansas
> Population: 205,646
> Total incentive value: $10,750
> Incentive package: $10,000 in cash, free mountain bike
Topeka, Kansas
> Population: 126,397
> Total incentive value: $11,000
> Incentive package: $10,000 in home ownership, free Jimmy Johns
Tulsa, Oklahoma
> Population: 402,324
> Total incentive value: $11,000
> Incentive package: $10,000 in cash
[in-text-ad-2]
Harmony, Minnesota
> Population: 976
> Total incentive value: $12,000
> Incentive package: $12,000 in home construction
Newton, Iowa
> Population: 15,164
> Total incentive value: $12,500
> Incentive package: $10,000 in home ownership
[in-text-ad]
Montpelier, Vermont
> Population: 7,477
> Total incentive value: $15,000
> Incentive package: $10,000 in cash
Augusta, Maine
> Population: 18,605
> Total incentive value: $15,660
> Incentive package: Tax Credits
Southwest, Michigan
> Population: 9,843
> Total incentive value: $16,000
> Incentive package: $15,000 in home ownership
[in-text-ad-2]
Morgantown, West Virginia
> Population: 30,712
> Total incentive value: $20,000
> Incentive package: $12,000 in cash, various gifts and incentives
Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)
Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?
Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!
By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.
By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
