Destination Down Payment: 8 Cities Offering Mover Incentives Big Enough to Get Into a Home
Having a hard time saving for a down payment? If you’re a remote worker with some flexibility, homeownership might be closer than you think.
Across rural America, cities are rolling out generous cash incentives to attract new residents. In one case, a city offers a big enough incentive to cover nearly a 20% down payment on a home, helping newcomers avoid mortgage insurance, reducing monthly payments significantly.
Mortgage Research Network compared cash mover incentives to local home prices. Eight cities offer at least 3% of the area’s average home price, the minimum down payment for a conventional mortgage.
Below are programs listed starting with the largest benefit relative to area home prices.
1. Jackson, Michigan: 19.7% of home price
2. West Memphis, Arkansas: 8.2% of home price
3. Topeka, Kansas: 7.5% of home price
4. St. Joseph, Michigan: 5% of home price
5. Tulsa, Oklahoma: 4.6% of home price
6. Morgantown, West Virginia: 4.3% of home price
7. Newton, Iowa: 4.2% of home price
8. Mattoon, Illinois: 4.1% of home price
Jackson, Michigan: 19.7% of Home Price
| Home price for program | $178,000 |
|---|---|
| Incentive | $35,000 |
| Down payment equivalent | 19.7% |
The city of Jackson, Michigan is constructing 100 brand-new homes and offering generous incentives to locals and distant remote workers alike. While the median home price is $186,413 in Jackson, the city is offering these new, three-bedroom, one-and-a-half bath, 1,232-square-foot homes for $178,000 before incentives. The city will give $25,000 in down payment assistance and encourages buyers to apply for an additional $10,000 from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority assistance program.
Requirements:
The home must be your primary residence.
Maximum income of 120% of the area median, for example, $80,950 for a household of 2 and $101,150 for a four-person household.
640+ credit score.
Submit a mortgage pre-approval.
Select a home and desired upgrades.
West Memphis, Arkansas: 8.2% of Home Price
| Average home price: | $122,487 |
|---|---|
| Incentive | $10,000 |
| Down payment equivalent | 8.2% |
West Memphis, Arkansas is just over the river from its famous neighbor, Memphis, Tennessee. The city offers a $10,000 mover incentive for homebuyers. Music lovers will be a short drive from the Home of the Blues, Elvis Presley’s Graceland, Sun Studio, and dozens of other music history attractions.
Requirements:
You are a remote worker making at least $75,000 per year and able to relocate.
Your current residence is currently outside West Memphis.
You purchase a home within 6 months.
Topeka, Kansas: 7.5% of Home Price
| Average home price | $200,351 |
|---|---|
| Incentive | $15,000 |
| Down payment equivalent | 7.5% |
Topeka works with area employers to offer up to $15,000 in incentives which can be used toward a home. The catch for remote workers is that you have to find a full-time job in the area to be eligible. But those who want to trade Zoom meetings for face time might find this offer attractive.
Requirements:
Start full-time work for a Shawnee County-area employer participating in the Choose Topeka relocation program.
Move to and buy a home in Shawnee County within one year.
Take a survey after one year and participate in a Choose Topeka immersion program.
St. Joseph, Michigan: 5% of Home Price
| Average home price | $200,470 |
|---|---|
| Incentive | $10,000 |
| Down payment equivalent | 5% |
The Move to Michigan program entices homebuyers with $10,000 toward a home or up to $15,000 for those enrolling children in public schools. Movers can choose two bonuses such as a year of co-working space, car service to local airports, and an annual rail pass. The program boasts of tight-knit coastal communities just 90 miles from Chicago, but at a fraction of the price of the big city.
Requirements:
Purchase a home worth at least $200,000 in St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, St. Joseph Charter Township, Royalton Township, Benton Charter Township, Oronoko Charter Township, Lake Charter Township, Lincoln Charter Township, or the Village of Stevensville.
Currently a remote employee living outside Michigan
Be considered a full-time resident of Michigan once moved
Tulsa, Oklahoma: 4.6% of Home Price
| Average home price | $218,311 |
|---|---|
| Incentive | $10,000 |
| Down payment equivalent | 4.6% |
One of the more famous pay-to-move programs in the country, the Tulsa Remote program seeks to attract young professionals to the city. Steps to qualify include an application, interview, receiving your application decision, then moving and receiving your grant.
Requirements:
18 years of age and authorized to work in the U.S.
Currently have a full-time, remote job outside Oklahoma.
You have lived outside Oklahoma for 1 year before applying.
Can relocate within 12 months of approval.
Morgantown, West Virginia: 4.3% of Home Price
| Average home price | $278,265 |
|---|---|
| Incentive | $12,000 |
| Down payment equivalent | 4.3% |
The Ascend WV program offers $12,000, paid in 24 monthly installments upon moving. Those who supply proof of an upcoming home purchase will receive a lump sum and can apply it to their down payment. But financial payment isn’t the only perk, according to the program. Outdoor enthusiasts might be equally motivated about enjoying $2,500 in free gear rental to get the most out of these mountain communities.
Requirements:
Relocate and establish primary residency in West Virginia
Remain a full-time resident for the 24-month program term
Sign and abide by Ascend WV Program Contract
Follow Code of Conduct and anti-harassment policies
You're responsible for taxes on the $12,000 payment
Newton, Iowa: 4.2% of Home Price
| Minimum home price for program | $240,000 |
|---|---|
| Incentive | $10,000 |
| Down payment equivalent | 4.2% |
Newton wants to improve the quality of its housing stock in a big way. It’s incentivizing builders to construct new homes in a novel and smart way: by attracting homebuyers. The Newton Housing Initiative offers $10,000 when buying a brand new home with a price of at least $240,000. The incentive is paid at closing of the new home, meaning you can apply it toward your down payment directly.
Requirements:
Buy a new-construction home worth at least $240,000 as your primary residence.
Supply a certificate of occupancy for the home.
Mattoon, Illinois: 4.1% of Home Price
| Average home price | $120,490 |
|---|---|
| Incentive | $5,000 |
| Down payment equivalent | 4.1% |
The Move To Mattoon program offers a $5,000 cash incentive for moving, and sweetens the deal with $3,000 in local services and one year of free coworking space.
Requirements:
You currently live over 100 miles away from Mattoon.
Move within city limits for at least two years.
You are a remote worker who makes at least $45,000 annually.
You have applied and are preapproved to the program.
Methodology
To arrive at the down payment equivalent, we started with the city's published incentive amount. We then found either 1) the city’s average home price according to the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) single-family-homes times series for September 2025, or 2) if applicable, the minimum home price required for the program. We then compared the incentive to the home price to calculate the down payment equivalent.
To be considered, a city’s mover incentive program must offer at least a 3% down payment equivalent, the minimum down payment for a conventional loan. Note that this is not an exhaustive list of all such programs nationwide. Additionally, while the incentive program was verified as active at time of writing, some programs may change or expire in the future. Check with the program administrator directly for current status and additional rules not mentioned here.
