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Title: Is the Grass Greener on the Other Side of the River?: The Choice of Where to Work and Where to Live for Movers
Citation Type: Working Paper
Publication Year: 2008
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Abstract: This analysis examines how differences in state income tax rates, as well as other state and local taxes and public service expenditures, influence the choice of state of residence for households (federal tax filers) moving into multistate metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) using data from the one in twenty sample of the 2000 Census of Population and Housing microdata. MSAs that are on state borders provide a spatial discontinuity discrete differences in tax rates within a single labor market. These MSAs allow residents to live in one state and work in another state. After controlling for other factors believed to affect household location, differences in state income tax rates have a statistically significant impact on the probability a household locates in the low tax state within an MSA. Complicating the analysis of location choice is the presence of state reciprocity agreements. These bilateral agreements between state governments allow taxpayers to pay income tax based on place of residence rather than their place of work. The theoretical roles of these agreements are discussed and the impacts of these laws are tested. The results suggest that reciprocity agreements alter the role that taxes play in location.
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Authors: Sanford, Ken; Hoyt, William H.
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Publication Number: 2009-05
Institution: Gatton College of Business and Economics
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Data Collections: IPUMS USA
Topics: Education, Migration and Immigration
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