So, you’ve been thinking about moving to another state, huh? Well, you probably have California at the top of your list. You’re not alone! California is the perfect destination for many people.
Being the third-largest state, California has countless opportunities for new experiences and adventures.
Unfortunately, we understand that moving expenses can be a lot, but did you know you can get paid to move to California?
Yes! You read that right.
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about paid relocations to the Golden State. We’ll also tell you why you should consider moving to this state. Let’s dive into the details right away!
Can You Get Paid to Move to California?
The answer is yes! You can get paid to move to the Golden State. However, thousands of people move to California every year. Naturally, the cities of California would go bankrupt if they paid every new resident.
Still, while the state doesn’t pay all its new residents, a lot of jobs will pay you to relocate to California if you’re fit for the role.
Additionally, some cities offer a small amount of money as a welcome gift for new residents or after getting accepted at certain government jobs.
How Much Can You Make by Moving to California?
Unfortunately, it’s hard to tell the exact amount of money you’ll make by moving to the golden coast. That’s because it depends on the job or the program that’ll pay you to move.
Generally, you shouldn’t expect to make a fortune just by relocating to another state. On the bright side, many jobs offer good relocation packages for anyone who gets accepted.
So, the best thing to do is to focus on finding a job with a good salary and a relocation incentive.
The good news is that salaries are high in the state. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary in the Golden State is $61,311, which is around $29,48 an hour.
Are There Tax Benefits to Moving to California?
Unfortunately, California has some of the highest tax rates in the U.S. Therefore, you shouldn’t expect to save on taxes by moving there. Overall, the state has 10 different personal income tax rates ranging from 1% to 13.3%.
However, don’t let the high tax rates discourage you if you’re planning to start a business in California after moving. It’s one of the best places to start a business due to the incentives that the state offers.
No matter which area you’re moving to, there are a lot of opportunities to make money. More importantly, tourism is on the rise in the state, which is creating even more opportunities for everyone.
Places in California That Pay You to Move
As of 2023, only a few places in California will pay you to move. Not only that, but the currently available programs don’t pay a lot of money.
So, if you want better relocation packages, you should check out jobs that will pay you to relocate.
That being said, here are a few places that will pay you to move to California:
1. Brentwood
Brentwood is a lovely suburban neighborhood located on the Westside of Los Angeles. It has a great balance between the calm suburbs and city life.
You’d be surprised to know that Brentwood is home to countless celebrities who appreciate the scenic location. The sought-after location is close to all the buzz of Los Angeles, while still having gorgeous, natural scenery.
How Much You Can Make
As of 2023, Brentwood offers a welcome package of more than $250 in goods, apparel, and merchandise.
Although this won’t cover your relocation costs, it can still help you get settled. So, you can think of it as a welcome gift!
What Makes This Option Great
Brentwood allows you to enjoy the relaxing suburban lifestyle while still having access to big-city life and benefits.
In Brentwood, you’ll find many cultural attractions, diverse dining options, and a lot of community events. You also get to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities.
In addition, Brentwood is close to Mount Diablo State Park. On top of that, you’ll be one hour’s drive from San Francisco.
2. Long Beach
The beautiful city of Long Beach started a program to find candidates for positions that are somewhat hard to fill. However, it turns out these positions aren’t that challenging, making this a great opportunity to secure a job in California and get paid to move there!
Anyone who hasn’t been employed by the city of Long Beach within the last two years is eligible.
How Much You Can Make
After getting accepted, you’ll receive a maximum of $6,000. However, the number may vary from one job to the other.
What Makes This Option Great
What makes this option great is that there are around 50 jobs available you can choose from. You’ll also get to live in the heart of Southern California, where there are tons of activities and festivals all year long.
3. Santa Clara
Also known as Silicon Valley, Santa Clara is one of the best counties in California for people working in the tech industry or interested in it. The county encompasses 15 suburban cities, all with splendid scenery.
How Much You Can Make
If you’re moving to pursue Executive Leadership in Silicon Valley, Santa Clara County might offer you relocation assistance. However, the amount you’ll be eligible for isn’t disclosed, as it depends on Santa Clara’s Executive Services department.
What Makes This Option Great
Even if you’re not a leading executive in the industry, moving to Santa Clara can still be a great idea. The average weekly wages in this county are the highest nationwide.
Jobs That Pay You to Relocate to California
If you want to get paid to move to California, finding a job with a relocation package is your best bet! Regardless of your occupation, California is a big state, which means you’ll easily find a job opportunity that will pay you to relocate.
That being said, let’s check out some jobs that currently offer relocation financial assistance to California.
1. Customer Service and Technical Advisor at Dental Lab
If you have eight years of experience working with implants, crowns, and denture cases, this job will pay you to relocate to California.
Qualified candidates will receive a relocation bonus to move to Germantown, Oakland.
How Much You Can Make
Aside from the relocation package, you can make $75,000 to $95,000 per year, depending on your experience. You’ll also receive commissions on your work.
What Makes This Option Great
One of the best things about this job is that the company is small, which means there’s huge potential for growth and improvement. On top of that, you’ll have dental and vision insurance, along with a 401(K).
2. Industrial Maintenance Engineer
Mendocino Forest Products (MFP) is looking for a maintenance engineer willing to relocate to Northern California.
You’ll work closely with the maintenance supervisor to set up plans for maintenance projects. You’ll also administer a maintenance training program and establish a CMMS / PM schedule.
How Much You Can Make
As an industrial maintenance engineer, you can make around $80,000 to $125,00 yearly, depending on your skills, experience, and education.
What Makes This Option Great
In addition to getting paid to move to California, the company will offer you a generous benefits package. On top of that, you’ll benefit from vision, dental, and life insurance, as well as a 401(K).
3. PR Manager
Are you interested in the gaming industry? Well, this is your lucky day! Tencent, the gaming giant, is looking for a communications professional to join the North America Level Infinite publishing team.
You’ll be part of the Level Infinite brand and some of Tencent’s games. You’ll also be responsible for creating campaigns and putting them into action.
The best thing is that having experience in the gaming industry isn’t required. You do need experience in PR, though.
How Much You Can Make
As a PR manager for Tencent, you can make around $72,600 to $162,800 a year, depending on your knowledge, skills, and experience.
What Makes This Option Great
Aside from the great salary, you’ll be working for a huge name in the industry. So, you’ll learn a lot working in this position, and there’s a big room for growth.
On top of that, Tencent might provide you with restricted stock units as part of the compensation package, as well as other medical and financial benefits.
3. Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant
There’s a high demand for healthcare professionals in California, especially registered nurses. If you’re a nurse, you need to have a valid practitioner or physician assistant license, as well as a DEA license to apply for this position.
Having experience isn’t a must, as the company accepts new graduates. Of course, you need to have great communication and teamwork skills, though. It’s also essential to have good clinical assessment skills.
If you’re qualified, you’ll get paid to move to Los Angeles or Orange County, California.
How Much You Can Make
The average salary for this position is $70 to $75 per hour. You’ll also receive a compensation package along with a relocation bonus.
What Makes This Option Great
This job offers a lot of benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance. In addition, you’ll receive a 401(K) with matching contributions up to 4%.
On top of that, you get 8 paid holidays and 18 days of paid time off, not to mention that you’ll have stock options.
Why You Should Consider Moving to California
From its beautiful weather to its stunning parks and delicious food, the sunny state is a place that you’ll enjoy. The Golden State has something for everyone, and you’ll probably never run out of things to do or places to visit.
That said, let’s check out some of the reasons why you should consider moving to California.
1. Constant Sunshine and Mild Winters
If you’re looking for sunny weather all year long, California is the place for you! Don’t forget to pack your sunblock, as California is the perfect destination for those who love dryer, sunny weather.
However, this doesn’t mean that it gets too hot outside! The weather is suitable for all sorts of outside activities. You can also enjoy a breeze of fresh air once you crack a window open.
That also means you get to enjoy mild, warm winters in the Golden State. In winter, the average temperature in California is around 68°F.
The temperature rarely falls below 58°F or exceeds 80°F, making it perfect for any type of outdoor activity. Generally, California is a good option if you want to escape icy weather.
2. Countless Outdoor Activities to Keep You Busy
It’s safe to say that you will never run out of fun activities in California. For starters, you can visit Big Sur for more than 90 miles of adventure and breathtaking scenery.
Do you want to take a trip back in time? You can visit Old Sacramento! The historic district is full of old but well-preserved buildings, railways, and memorials.
Additionally, Disneyland will be as close as it gets. You won’t have to drive all day long, as Disneyland will only be a few miles away, depending on where you’ll live.
More importantly, California has some of the best beaches in the country, with 840 miles of coastline. No matter which city you’re moving to, you’ll find a beautiful beach close to your residence.
Whether you love surfing or snorkeling, you’ll enjoy all sorts of water activities in California. You can also relax on the sandy beach and get a lovely tan.
After soaking up the sun and surf, you can lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails for amazing adventures!
3. Endless Job Opportunities
With a state as big as California, the job opportunities are endless. Not only that, but the state is home to large employers from different industries.
For example, tech giants like Apple, Cisco Systems, Meta, Oracle, Google, Intel, Qualcomm, and Intuit all have headquarters in the state.
On top of that, many food brands and big names in the TV and film industry are also located in California. That includes Netflix, Paramount Studios, Universal Studios, and Warner Bros. Studio.
4. Delicious Food and Fresh Produce
The food scene in California is like no other, and the huge competition in the state only drives it better for consumers.
It’s also worth mentioning that the state has a massive agricultural economy, which means most of the fruits and vegetables will be fresh and affordable.
In fact, California is the largest producer of peaches in the U.S. In addition, the state produces 99% or more of the supply of almonds, celery, grapes, melons, olives, plums, and nectarines.
On top of that, the state is home to many iconic restaurants and fast food chains. The food variety in this state is like no other!
5. The Natural Beauty
California is home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country. There are 9 national parks and more than 280 state parks in California. That includes the Death Valley national park, Yosemite Park, and the Point Reyes national seashore.
From the windswept deserts in the southwest and the magical forests to the mesmerizing beaches, California has it all! The best thing is that these places are perfect to visit any time of the year.
The diversity in landscapes in the state is exceptional. For these reasons, the Golden State is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
Is It Cheap to Live in California?
You need to understand that California is a huge state. It also has many micro-economies.
Therefore, the cost of living can vary significantly from one area to the other.
That said, it’s generally not cheap to live in California. By many metrics, the cost of living in the Golden State is among the highest nationwide.
According to MERIC, California is the fourth most expensive state in the country. The cost of living in the state is around %39 higher than the national average. Not only that, but housing prices are super high.
The average rent in California is $1,750, and the average apartment size is 1,020 sq. ft.
Additionally, it can be challenging to find an affordable place to live in desirable areas like Los Angeles and San Francisco. The situation is getting even worse due to inflation.
Food and groceries can cost around $322 per person each month on average. Keep in mind that this number doesn’t include restaurant food.
What is a Livable Salary in California?
The annual average cost of living in California for a single person is $53,082. It’s worth mentioning that this number is based on 2021 data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. So, due to inflation and other reasons, this number might be significantly higher right now.
All in all, for a California resident living on a single income to live comfortably, they should be making an annual salary of around $70,000 to $100,000.
Of course, you’ll be able to get by with a lesser salary. Nonetheless, the high cost of living in the state might put you in a tight spot.
In general, anything above $55,000 is a livable salary in the state. Therefore, if you’re making less than $55,000, you should reconsider moving to California.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the California Relocation Act?
The California Relocation Act is a program that offers relocation assistance to eligible tenants who are residing in the Golden State.
If the tenant is required to vacate their property through no fault of their own, the landlord must pay them $207 per night, plus an additional $67 per adult meal and $33 per child under 12.
Additionally, if the displacement period is over 31 days, landlords might provide comparable accommodation instead of the monetary allowance. As for permanently displaced tenants, the relocation fees depend on the unit.
Does California offer relocation assistance?
Unfortunately, California doesn’t offer relocation assistance to all new residents. The California Relocation Act only covers citizens of the state who have been displaced.
Still, there are numerous job openings in California, many of which offer hefty relocation packages.
Similar Locations to Consider
If California doesn’t seem like a good option, you can still get paid to move somewhere else! There are plenty of other incredible places that you need to check out. Here are some of them:
- Get Paid to Move to Hawaii: So, you want to enjoy mesmerizing beaches and get paid to move there? Well, Hawaii has some of the best beaches in the country. Check out this guide on how to get paid to move to Hawaii.
- Get Paid to Move to Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico has a vibrant culture and pristine beaches all over the city. It’s nothing short of a paradise for anyone who wants to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
- Get Paid to Move to Florida: Similar to California, Florida has sunny weather most of the year and mild winters. So, check out this article to get paid to move to Florida and enjoy its pristine beaches!
Wrapping Up
There are many ways you can get paid to move to California. Some cities, like Brentwood, Long Beach, and Santa Clara, can offer you relocation assistance or a welcome gift after moving to the state.
However, if you want a good relocation package, you should check out jobs that will pay you to relocate. Salaries are typically high in the state, but that’s to compensate for the high cost of living.
You should keep in mind that living in California isn’t cheap. The state also has high tax rates.
On the bright side, you’ll get to enjoy beautiful weather and breathtaking landscapes all year long. Additionally, there are countless outdoor activities to keep you busy all the time.
California truly has something for everyone! It’ll be a perfect fresh start for your new journey.
