Climatic conditions and migration: an econometric inquiry.

Abstract

"This paper has examined the impact of climate on migration. It has compared the results that are obtained when various indicators of climatic conditions, both those which have been used in the literature and those which have not, are included in a regression used to explain migration behavior. The results suggest that individuals do indeed consider climatic conditions in different areas when deciding where to live; people generally prefer areas which have moderate climates to areas which have either extremely hot or extremely cold climates. The results also indicate that the climate variables which yield the best results are generally those which have not been used in the literature." The study is based on U.S. data concerning in-migration to 36 SMSAs between 1960 and 1970.