Internal Migration Determinants: Recent Evidence

The present study investigates the impact on gross state in-migration over the 1999–2002 period of a variety of economic and non-economic factors. The empirical estimates indicate that gross state in-migration was an increasing function of expected per capita income on the one hand or actual per capita income on the other hand and a decreasing function of the average cost of living. Interstate unemployment rate differentials per se do not appear to have influenced gross migration, however. In addition, gross state in-migration was an increasing function of the availability of state parks, recreation, warmer temperatures, location in the West, and greater sunshine while being a decreasing function of the violent crime rate and the presence of hazardous waste sites.Revised version of a paper presented at the 56th International Atlantic Economic Conference, Quebec City, Canada, October 16–19, 2003.