Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/36006 
Year of Publication: 
2009
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 4600
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
This paper uses new Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to provide the first estimates of well-being across the states of America. From this sample of 1.3 million US citizens, we analyze measures of life satisfaction and mental health. Adjusting for people's characteristics, states such as Louisiana and DC have high psychological well-being levels while California and West Virginia have low well-being; there is no correlation between states' well-being and their GDP per capita. Correcting for people's incomes, satisfaction with life is lowest in the rich states. We discuss implications for the arbitrage theory that regions provide equal utility and compensating differentials.
Subjects: 
Compensating differentials
BRFSS
happiness
geography
GHQ
Easterlin Paradox
mental health
depression
life course
JEL: 
D1
I3
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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