Quality of life,firm productivity,and the value of amenities across Canadian cities |
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| Authors: | David Albouy Fernando Leibovici Casey Warman |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Economics, University of Michigan;2. Department of Economics, New York University;3. Department of Economics, Dalhousie University |
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| Abstract: | We estimate quality‐of‐life and productivity differences across Canada's metropolitan areas in a hedonic general‐equilibrium framework. These are based on the estimated willingness‐to‐pay of heterogeneous households and firms to locate in various cities, which differ in their wage levels, housing costs, and land values. Using 2006 Canadian Census data, our metropolitan quality‐of‐life estimates are somewhat consistent with popular rankings, yet find Canadians care more about climate and culture. Quality of life is highest in Victoria for anglophones, Montreal for francophones, and Vancouver for allophones, and lowest in more remote cities. Toronto is Canada's most productive city; Vancouver is the overall most valuable city. |
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| Keywords: | J61 R1 |
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