The influence of psychic costs on rural-urban migration

• Published in: American journal of agricultural economics Vol. 64; no. 2; pp. 177 - 187
• Main Authors: Deaton, Brady J., Morgan, Larry C., Anschel, Kurt R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Oxford University Press 01.05.1982; American Agricultural Economics Association; American Farm Economic Association
• Subjects: Americas; Appalachia; Behavior; Cities; Cost-Benefit Analysis; costs of migration; Demography; Developed Countries; Earned income; Economic costs; Economics; Emigration and Immigration; Employment; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Health Planning; Income; Interpersonal Relations; Job satisfaction; Kentucky; migration; North America; Ohio; Personal Satisfaction; Population; Population Density; Population Dynamics; psychic costs; Psychic income; Psychology; return migration; Rural areas; rural-urban migration; Social adjustment; Socioeconomic Factors; United States; United States government publications; Urban life; Urban Population; Utilities costs; worker mobility; Americas; Ohio; United States; North America; Kentucky; Americas; Friends And Relatives; United States; Migration; Income; Satisfaction; Urban Population; North America; Socioeconomic Factors; Employment Status; Population; Behavior; Program Activities; Demographic Factors; Evaluation; Rural-urban Migration; Kentucky; Psychological Factors; Cost Benefit Analysis; Population Size; Quantitative Evaluation; Economic Factors; Northern America; Developed Countries; Ohio; Population Dynamics
• ISSN: 0002-9092; 1467-8276
• DOI: 10.2307/1241121

Psychic costs reflect differences in interregional utility, an important determinant of population among regions. Following Sjaastad's definition of psychic costs, the consumer surplus foregone by Appalachian migrants in two urban areas was measured as the difference between current urban income and an acceptable income level in eastern Kentucky. Psychic costs varied significantly with the size of the city of destination; migrants' demographic characteristics; and their satisfaction with jobs, city services, and interpersonal relationships in the city. Mobility which reduces psychic costs contributes to social well-being but will not be measured in national economic accounts.