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Identifying the size and geographic scope of short-term rural cost-of-living increases in the United States

Author

Listed:
  • Alberto Díaz-Dapena

    (University of Oviedo)

  • Scott Loveridge

    (Michigan State University)

  • Dusan Paredes

    (Michigan State University
    Universidad Católica del Norte)

Abstract

Difference in terms of cost-of-living between rural and urban areas is a frequent theoretical analysis in Regional Economics. Lack of routine measures in rural areas does not usually allow to observe changes in rural costs. We adapt the Big Mac index, typically used to measure purchasing power parity between countries, as a potential quick and inexpensive indicator of short-term local price variations. With a national random sample of McDonald's stores repeated in time, we find prices grew slightly faster in rural areas than in urban areas. Spatial transmission of prices seems to be limited to very localized effects, meaning that rural price increases are not due to urban spillover effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Alberto Díaz-Dapena & Scott Loveridge & Dusan Paredes, 2024. "Identifying the size and geographic scope of short-term rural cost-of-living increases in the United States," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 72(4), pages 1329-1351, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:anresc:v:72:y:2024:i:4:d:10.1007_s00168-023-01244-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s00168-023-01244-z
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)

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