Why do richer people live further from the city centre?
In the first study of its kind for British cities Professor Jennifer Roberts and Dr David Cuberes clearly show that the distance households live from the city centre is closely related to their income.
Using secure data from the Understanding Society household survey they explore the nine largest cities in Britain excluding London (Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield) over the period 2009 to 2013.
While there is some variation across cities, which can be seen in the maps below, household incomes are generally lower closer to the city centre; real monthly household income is £1,399 (US $2105.63) among these living nearest to the city centre, and £1,613 (US $2427.73) among those living farthest away.
As well as being poorer, households closer to the city centre are more likely not to be working, to have poor health, to be younger, and to live in smaller accommodation. They are less likely to have children aged under 16, to have higher education, to own their home and to own a car.
The analysis suggests that a stronger preference for space among the well-off does not explain the pattern. The availability of public transport and household characteristics like age and whether or not children are present, is only a partial explanation.
Cuberes and Roberts find some evidence that households who live closer to the city centre are the ones who have experienced the largest increases in real income over the period.
This may lead us to conclude that cities are good for the poor, but importantly for urban planning debates, those who live near the centre are still poor relative to those who live further away.
Further details can be found at:
If you’re interested in contacting the authors of this research then please contact them using econ@sheffield.ac.uk or +44 114 222 5151
