Living Costs, The Quality of Life, and the "Sunbelt" vs "Frostbelt" Battle in the United states

This empirical study identifies factors that have contributed to the differential growth rates between the so-called "sun-belt" states on the one hand and the so-called "frost-belt" states on the other hand. The model deals with the 48 contiguous states and the 1975-1980 time period. It finds that the lower living costs in the sun-belt states have contributed a great deal to their growth rate by attracting migrants. Furthermore, the the generally warmer temperatures and greater presence of sunshine have contributed to attracting more migrants to the sun-belt and hence have contributed to the higher economic growth of the latter.