Migration is traditionally explained by better earnings opportunities. A recent alternative
explanation emphasizes improved living conditions in a new location. This paper builds on
limited work that combines earnings and consumption approaches and recent research on
quality of life. We consider the individual's decision to move and choice of destination.
Augmented microdata from the 1980 Census are used to estimate impacts of wages,
housing costs, quality of life, and moving costs on the probabilities of changing counties …