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Housing Cost Burden, Housing Price Growth, and Migrant Health in Urban China

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  • Jingjing Cheng

    (Northeastern University)

  • Ying Huang

    (University of Texas at San Antonio
    University of Texas at San Antonio)

Abstract

High levels of housing cost burden and housing price growth are each associated with poor health outcomes. Using data from the 2017 China Migrants Dynamic Survey and the China Statistical Yearbook (2008, 2018), this study examines the relationship between housing cost burden and migrants’ health in urban China and tests whether city‑level housing price growth mitigates or exacerbates this association. Logistic hierarchical models show that both higher housing cost burden and faster housing price growth are linked to a lower likelihood of reporting good health among migrants. The adverse health effects of housing cost burden are strongest in cities experiencing rapid price growth, particularly for migrants with urban hukou. These findings underscore the compounding negative effects of housing cost burden and housing price growth on migrants’ health.

Suggested Citation

  • Jingjing Cheng & Ying Huang, 2025. "Housing Cost Burden, Housing Price Growth, and Migrant Health in Urban China," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 44(3), pages 1-23, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:poprpr:v:44:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1007_s11113-025-09959-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s11113-025-09959-x
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