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Rhetoric vs. Reality: Unauthorized immigration and housing rents

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  • Huang, Xinhui
  • Li, Wei
  • Xu, Luqi

Abstract

The role of unauthorized immigrants in driving housing market outcomes has been a controversial topic in recent years, yet empirical evidence linking unauthorized immigration to rising rents remains limited. This paper investigates the relationship between unauthorized immigration and the dynamics of housing rents across U.S. states from 2005 to 2022. Using state-level panel data, we test whether increases in the unauthorized immigrants are associated with changes in average and median rents. Our findings consistently reveal no statistically significant relationship between unauthorized immigration and housing rent growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Huang, Xinhui & Li, Wei & Xu, Luqi, 2025. "Rhetoric vs. Reality: Unauthorized immigration and housing rents," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 85(PA).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:85:y:2025:i:pa:s1544612325011341
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2025.107876
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • E6 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook
    • G1 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets
    • R1 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics

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