Real Earnings and Human Migration in the United States

Cebula, Richard (1981): Real Earnings and Human Migration in the United States. Published in: International Migration Review , Vol. 16, No. 1 (30 March 1982): pp. 189-196.

Abstract

This study seeks to fill a void in the empirical migration literature, namely, to allow expressly for geographic living-cost differentials. The study focuses upon net migration to SMSAs over the period 1960-1970. The analysis involves two alternative treatments of living costs, one being to deflate nominal income and the other being to express those living-cost levels as a separate variable. Both approaches work. Migrants are found to be attracted to SMSAs with higher real income levels and to be attracted to SMSAs with lower living costs.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: migration; living costs; real income
• Subjects: J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J3 - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs > J31 - Wage Level and Structure ; Wage Differentials; J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J6 - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers > J61 - Geographic Labor Mobility ; Immigrant Workers; R - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics > R2 - Household Analysis > R23 - Regional Migration ; Regional Labor Markets ; Population ; Neighborhood Characteristics

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