Downtown Memphis from Big River Crossing, Memphis area (West Memphis, AR)

Start Fresh in West Memphis: get paid to move to West Memphis

West Memphis, Arkansas offers $10,000 cash. Status: taking applications.

$10,000CashAs published by the program$10,000 for homebuyers or $5,000 for renters; package listed at $10,400

Taking applicationsOpen when we checked on October 30, 2026Apply on the official site

Who it's for: Remote workers
What you commit to: Income $75,000+
Visit before you move: Help offered
How we checked: MakeMyMove listing

By Sol Lakein, founder of Slower Sundays.Checked October 30, 2026.How we check programs

$10,400Total valueCash plus perks
$299,950Typical home for saleMetro

Who qualifies

A full-time remote job or self-employment with clients elsewhere
Household income of at least $75,000

In the program's words

Full-time remote employee or self-employed, income of at least $75,000, living outside West Memphis now, and moving within 6 months.

Perks: Welcome meal with the mayor, 2-night stay at Southland Casino Hotel

Visit before you move: Two free hotel nights while you house hunt. Program page, checked November 4, 2026.

Run by: City of West Memphis Office of Economic Development

Read the official rules and apply

Listed on MakeMyMove, which handles applications for this community; the community has no program page of its own that we could find. Programs change often: confirm the amount and deadline with the program before you plan a move.

Is it worth it?

The grant is the headline. The bigger number is usually what you stop paying every month.

Buying a home$29,151 a year less
The typical home in the Memphis area metro costs $299,950, against $742,000 in New York. That's about $29,151 a year less on the mortgage^1,2.
Renting instead$1,278 a month
A 2-bedroom runs $1,278 a month in Memphis area, against $1,997 in New York, utilities included³.
Program cash$10,000
The program adds $10,000 in cash, $10,400 in total value.
Same lifestyle, smaller salary$122,837
A $150,000 New York salary buys the same as $122,837 in Memphis area⁴.

Full cost of living in Memphis area

Is it worth it?

The grant is the headline. The bigger number is usually what you stop paying every month.

Buying a home$29,151 a year less
The typical home in the Memphis area metro costs $299,950, against $742,000 in New York. That's about $29,151 a year less on the mortgage^1,2.
Renting instead$1,278 a month
A 2-bedroom runs $1,278 a month in Memphis area, against $1,997 in New York, utilities included³.
Program cash$10,000
The program adds $10,000 in cash, $10,400 in total value.
Same lifestyle, smaller salary$122,837
A $150,000 New York salary buys the same as $122,837 in Memphis area⁴.

Full cost of living in Memphis area

Living in West Memphis

Home values, rent, local jobs, things to do and remote jobs you can bring: our guide to moving to West Memphis.

Other Arkansas programs

2 programs in Arkansas were active when we checked on October 30, 2026.

Careers Around West MemphisWest MemphisOpen$10,000 cashTotal value: $10,400
- Local job track
- Income $75,000+
- Stay 12 months

Get paid to move to Arkansas: every program

Programs in other states

Questions people ask

How much does Start Fresh in West Memphis pay?

Who can apply to Start Fresh in West Memphis?

Full-time remote employee or self-employed, income of at least $75,000, living outside West Memphis now, and moving within 6 months.

Does Start Fresh in West Memphis help you visit before you move?

Yes. Two free hotel nights while you house hunt. Source: https://makemymove.com/get-paid/west-memphis-arkansas (checked November 4, 2026).

Is Start Fresh in West Memphis still open?

Open when we checked on October 30, 2026. MakeMyMove page 2026-10-30: 'West Memphis is currently recruiting remote workers', Apply Now, QuickApply. Confirm with the program before you plan a move.

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Notes on the numbers

1Home prices: the typical home is the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, Memphis area metro.
2Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA. Rate source
3Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units (rent plus utilities). Census table
4Everyday prices and the matching salary: BEA regional price parities, 2024.

Sources for this page

$10,000 cashTaking applications · West Memphis

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