If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your student loan debt, you might be looking for ways to pay it off faster and save money on interest. You’ve probably heard of the usual strategies, like refinancing, making extra payments, or enrolling in an income-driven repayment plan. But have you ever considered moving to a new state?

Believe it or not, some states offer student loan repayment assistance programs to attract new residents, especially young professionals with college degrees. These programs can help you pay off a significant portion of your student loans, or even eliminate them completely, in exchange for living and working in certain areas.

Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, there’s a catch. These programs often have strict eligibility requirements, such as income limits, degree fields, or home purchase obligations. And of course, moving to a new state is a big decision that involves more than just your student loans. You have to consider the cost of living, the job market, the taxes, the culture, and the lifestyle of your potential new home.

So, before you pack your bags and hit the road, you might want to do some research and compare your options. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of five states that offer student loan repayment assistance to new residents, along with their pros and cons. Here they are:

• Kansas: Up to $15,000 over five years; no income taxes for five years
  • Pros: Low cost of living; easy commutes; plenty of entertainment options in the cities
  • Cons: Few job opportunities in rural areas; high taxes; extra housing costs in some areas; lack of public transportation; few local entertainment options; extreme weather
• Maine: Up to $25,000 over 10 years (limit of up to $2,500 per year, depending on your degree and education level)
  • Pros: Low cost of living; low unemployment rate; low crime rate; low traffic
  • Cons: Few higher-paying professional jobs; high income taxes; harsh winter weather; few commercial entertainment options
• Maryland: Up to $30,000 or 15% of the purchased home’s value (whichever is less) toward your student loans
  • Pros: Good job opportunities; proximity to both big cities and small towns
  • Cons: High cost of living; high taxes; heavy traffic; high crime rate
• Michigan: Up to $30,000 in Huron County; up to $50,000 in St. Clair County
  • Pros: Reasonable cost of living; strong economy with diverse job opportunities; many choices for small town, urban, or coastal living
  • Cons: High unemployment rate; harsh, snowy winters; unpredictable weather; poor road conditions
• Ohio: Up to $10,000 in Hamilton; up to $50,000 in Newburgh Heights
  • Pros: Low cost of living; thriving economy; high-ranking school and university system; extensive parks and outdoor activities; plenty of entertainment options
  • Cons: Harsh summers and winters; high crime rates in bigger cities; lack of efficient public transportation

As you can see, each state has its own benefits and drawbacks, and you have to weigh them carefully before making a move. Moving to a new state to pay off your student loans might sound like a drastic move, but you get to experience a new place and maybe even a lower cost of living or better job opportunities. The only question left to ask yourself is which state to move to.