An Exploratory Note on Interstate Living-Cost Differentials

Cebula, Richard (1985): An Exploratory Note on Interstate Living-Cost Differentials. Published in: The Review of Regional Studies , Vol. 16, No. 2 (10 September 1986): pp. 58-59.

Abstract

This exploratory study seeks to identify factors that systematically influence interstate living-cost differentials. Living costs refer to the average cost of living for a four-person family in each of the 50 states. For the year 1977, the living cost level is found to be an increasing function of population density, average income, and the degree of urbanization, while being a decreasing function of the presence of right-to-work laws.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: living cost determinants; population density; income; right-to-work laws; urbanization
• Subjects: D - Microeconomics > D4 - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design > D40 - General; D - Microeconomics > D7 - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making > D70 - General; D - Microeconomics > D7 - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making > D78 - Positive Analysis of Policy Formulation and Implementation; K - Law and Economics > K2 - Regulation and Business Law > K20 - General; R - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics > R2 - Household Analysis > R21 - Housing Demand

References

Cebula, R.J. "Determinants of Geographic Living-Cost Differentials in the United States: An Empirical Note," Land Economics, 56, Nov., 1980, 476-81.

Cobas, J.A., "A Method to Estimate the Bureau of Labor Statistics Family Budgets for all Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas," Social Science Quarterly, Dec., 1978, 546-52.

Haworth, C.T. and D.W. Rasmussen, "Determinants of Metropolitan Cost of Living Variations," Southern Economic Journal, Oct., 1973, 183-92.

Hogan, T., "Geographic Living-Cost Differentials in the United States: A Dis-aggregated View," Land Economics, 60, Feb., 1984, 115-9.

McMahon, W., and C. Melton, "Measuring Cost of Living Variation," Industrial Relations, 17, Oct., 1978, 324-32.

Ostrosky, A., "Determinants of Geographic Living-Cost Differentials in the United States: Comment," Land Economics, 59, Aug., 1983, 350-2.