5 Cities That Pay Teachers to Relocate — And How Much
Published: | by Alex Skov
It’s easier than ever for teachers to move to new places and gain new experiences as a growing number of cities are offering relocation incentives. Details about signing bonuses and home-buying assistance are showing up in job postings from across the country as school districts compete for qualified teachers.
Below are 5 standout examples of cities that will pay teachers to move there — plus state-level salary data to help you make an informed decision before you pack a single box.
Why Cities are Paying Teachers to Relocate
The national average teacher salary climbed to $74,495 for the 2024–25 school year, according to the National Education Association. While that $2,500 increase from the 2023-24 school year is promising, teacher salaries haven’t fully kept pace with inflation. Districts feeling the squeeze from teacher shortages — especially in areas like special education, math, and science — are turning to new perks to compete for talent.
Similarly, cities looking to boost their populations have started to offer cash incentives to attract new residents.
These new opportunities can provide teachers who are open to relocating meaningful help to offset moving costs and get a strong start in their new home.
Stockton, California
- Average teacher salary in CA: $103,552
- Average starting teacher salary: $59,424
Serving more than 35,000 students across 55 schools, the Stockton Unified School District offers a signing bonus of up to $10,000 to teachers who join its classrooms.
Along with California having the highest average teacher salary in the nation, this bonus makes Stockton a wonderful option for any teacher who wants to experience life in the Golden State.
Want another bonus? Stockton has a significantly lower cost of living than California’s larger coastal cities while still being surrounded by scenic beauty.
Hartford, Connecticut
- Average teacher salary in CT: $89,593
- Average starting teacher salary: $51,053
Serving about 16,500 students, Hartford Public Schools provides sign-on incentives up to $5,000 for teachers who fill vacancies in its “hardest-to-fill certification areas,” including special education, STEM subjects, elementary education, and bilingual studies. HPS also offers its teachers tuition reimbursement of up to $4,200 per year. That could potentially help pay for a master’s degree or certification through an Educator Preparation Program (EPP).
Connecticut’s average teacher salary is consistently in the top 10 nationally, so a bonus stacked on top of some of the strongest pay in the country makes Hartford an interesting option if strong pay and a signing bonus are priorities in your next move.
Muskegon County, Michigan
- Average teacher salary in MI: $71,023
- Average starting teacher salary: $43,093
Qualifying teachers can earn up to $15,000 through the Community Foundation for Muskegon County’s Welcome Home Scholarship — one of the largest educator-specific incentives currently available anywhere in the country. It comes with the perk of summers on the shore of Lake Michigan and a lower cost of living than most coastal metros.
Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis while funds last, so make sure your application is thorough and apply fast. For full details, visit the Community Foundation for Muskegon website.
Jackson, Michigan
- Average teacher salary in MI: $71,023
- Average starting teacher salary: $43,093
Teachers interested in owning a home can receive $25,000 in down-payment assistance through Jackson’s 100 Homes Program, and select applicants can receive an additional $30,000 to make the incentive even more rewarding.
It’s not a teacher-only incentive, and applicants must meet some prerequisites, but the 100 Homes Program can cover a substantial portion of a house’s purchase price. Considering Jackson’s easy access to outdoor recreation, it’s worth a look alongside Muskegon’s teacher-specific bonus if you’re already considering teaching in Michigan.
Ontario, Oregon
- Average teacher salary in OR: $81,657
- Average starting teacher salary: $46,854
Located on the Oregon-Idaho border, Ontario’s $10,000 housing incentive program is available for qualifying individuals (including teachers) who want to build new homes and move in within two years. It’s a general homebuyer incentive rather than a teacher-specific bonus, but it’s perfect for educators who prefer smaller towns — plus, Oregon is a top 10 state for teacher salaries.
Don’t See a City from Your Wishlist?
Not every city has an incentive program that benefits teachers right now, so don’t worry if a place where you’d love to teach isn’t on this list since it doesn’t include statewide programs or educator-specific loan forgiveness opportunities.
New relocation incentives are popping up all over the map as the demand for qualified teachers keeps growing. If you’re an aspiring or current teacher considering a move, it’s worth checking with your target district directly to ask what incentives are currently available since some programs change with each new school year.
Wherever you’re headed next, Moreland University’s 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can help you get certified in as little as 9 months so you’re ready to apply the moment the right opportunity opens. Our online master’s degree programs can also help you deepen your expertise (and boost your earning potential) in just 12 months.
