Tulsa Remote program draws over 3,500 participants since 2019

More than 100 U.S. communities currently advertise cash incentives to recruit new residents.

Tulsa, Oklahoma, operates the largest of these schemes under the Tulsa Remote brand. The program pays remote workers $10,000 to relocate and secure housing. It launched prior to the pandemic as a strategic move to diversify a local labor force that has historically depended on the oil and gas sectors.

Justin Harlan, the managing director of Tulsa Remote, stated that the initiative began as an experiment to broaden the workforce base. Since its inception, participation has surged from approximately 70 individuals in 2019 to more than 3,500. The program mandates a one-year residency period. Tulsa Remote reports a 90% retention rate after that initial requirement expires. Additionally, 75% of all participants since 2019 continue to live in the city.

Harlan emphasized that the organization engages with each new resident within their first 90 days. This process aims to align individual expectations with local opportunities to ensure long-term commitment.

Cumberland, Maryland, is implementing a similar strategy through its Choose Cumberland pilot program. The city offers $20,000 to up to 10 remote workers who agree to make the area their primary residence for five years. The payout consists of $10,000 in cash and $10,000 toward a down payment or approved home renovations. Mayor Ray Morriss noted that the city’s population dropped from over 40,000 to fewer than 19,000 following the closure of major manufacturing employers starting in the 1970s. He described the target demographic as individuals who bring their jobs with them.

Evan Starr, an associate professor at the University of Maryland’s School of Business, researched the Tulsa Remote program to evaluate its effectiveness. He found the high retention rates to be a positive indicator. Starr warned against attracting residents solely for the financial incentive, as some may leave immediately after residency restrictions end. He believes remote work has created a new level of geographic mobility that decouples employment from specific locations.

Faith Langevin moved from Atlanta to Tulsa in 2022. She cited the lower cost of living and the $10,000 incentive as key factors. Her husband, also a remote worker, received the same payment. Langevin stated that the social component of the move stood out to her. She expressed no regrets three years later, describing Tulsa as her real home. In Cumberland, Gino Giatras, a resident whose family has run a hot dog shop since 1918, said he welcomes the new neighbors for the weather and activities.