We develop a theoretical framework that considers four distinct explanatory channels through which neighbors' income … could affect utility: public goods, cost of living, expectations of future income, and the direct effect (relative income … subjective well-being (SWB) data from the U.S. Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index and geographically-based median-income data …

happiness. In other words, the influence of the income of a reference group on individual well-being is examined. The main … income effect differing between richer and poor individuals. The analysis uses a self-reported measure of satisfaction with … that the income of the reference group is about as important as own income for individual happiness, that individuals are …

We develop a theoretical framework that integrates four distinct channels through which others' income can affect … utility: public goods, cost of living, expectations of future income, and direct effects (relative income hypothesis and …/or altruism). We empirically estimate the relationship with U.S. well-being and health data from Gallup and geographically …

U.S. income inequality has risen dramatically in recent decades. Researchers consistently find that greater income … SWB data from the U.S. Gallup Healthways Well-Being Index and income inequality data from the American Community Survey …, and health measures) to examine the consistency of the relationship. We find that the relationship is both scale …