Remote Workers Leave California for $10,000 Incentive

13 August 2025

A residential neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma with downtown in the background. Zenstratus – stock.adobe.com

Remote work has rewritten many Americans’ ideas about where and how they want to live. For a growing number of people leaving behind California’s expensive housing and tight schedules the Tulsa Remote program has offered a fresh start. California residents are among those receiving $10,000 to move to Tulsa, Oklahoma under certain conditions and many say they could never go back.

Launched in 2019 the Tulsa Remote initiative gives workers who are already employed full time outside Oklahoma and live remotely a grant of $10,000 if they relocate to Tulsa and commit to stay at least a year. The program is selective in its criteria applicants must be over 18 have lived outside Oklahoma for at least a year and be willing to move within a twelve-month window.

The stories of those who accepted the offer tell of more than financial relief. Cynthia Rollins and Zach Meincke moved from California and describe life in Tulsa as calmer more affordable and more connective. Rollins recalls being overwhelmed by traffic and hectic daily life in California then suddenly finding room to breathe in Tulsa. Meincke says that owning a home and planning for a family felt out of reach in Los Angeles until they made the move.

Although thousands have applied for Tulsa Remote from California alone fewer than six hundred have actually relocated under the program. Once people complete the required year many choose to stay. Tulsa Remote reports that seventy six percent of those who finish their first year decide to remain in the city.

What appears to attract people most is not only the money but the change in lifestyle. Smaller rent or mortgage payments less time commuting lower stress and more chances to engage with a community are all cited as reasons for staying. Some mention the ability to afford a house that in California would cost many times more or require compromises such as shared housing.

Some relocators note that while cultural amenities were more limited Tulsa still surprised them with its arts scene parks restaurants and cultural life. They say that Tulsa’s charm is balanced by lower cost and safety making it easier to focus on long-term goals rather than just getting by.

Tulsa Remote itself says it has welcomed more than 3,700 remote workers into its program since its founding. It also points out that many applicants come from big urban coastal centers where high living costs have pushed people to seek alternatives. California is among the top origin states for relocation followed by Texas.

There are tradeoffs however. Some people worry about leaving behind family friends support structures in California. Others consider whether the political and social climate of Tulsa will suit their long term needs. Housing demand in Tulsa has risen and prices are going up though they are still much lower than in many major California metros.

For many Californians Tulsa has become more than a fallback option. It represents a chance to reset priorities to have more time outside work more space to raise a family or to pursue creative and entrepreneurial impulses without constantly battling cost or distance. Several describe that they never dreamed they could jump into home ownership but found themselves doing so after the move.

This phenomenon reflects larger shifts after the pandemic when remote work became more widespread and people became more willing to reconsider where they live. Cities like Tulsa that offer both financial incentives and a chance for community engagement are benefiting. Others are watching to see whether this kind of relocation becomes a lasting trend favoring affordability work-life balance and places where living is easier rather than more expensive.