Measuring relative quality of life from a cross-migration regression, with an application to Canadian provinces

We discuss specification of regression models for using migration data to infer the living standards of different regions, and for observing how much of the standard of living is determined by income opportunities versus non-pecuniary amenities. We estimate a regression using Canadian data from 1976-95, which results in rankings of the provinces with respect to overall living standards and amenities, with different rankings for different age groups. We also uncovers some interesting evidence as to the accuracy of the assumption of equilibrium.