We use an expected utility framework to examine how living standards, or welfare, vary across the U.S. and how each state's welfare has evolved over time. Our welfare measure accounts for cross-state variations in mortality, consumption, education, inequality, and cost of living. While...

We use an expected utility framework to examine how living standards vary across the United States and how each state's living standards have evolved over time. Our welfare measure accounts for cross-state variations in mortality, consumption, education, inequality, and cost of living. We find...