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Working Papers, No. 2024-21, October 2024 Crossref
Intergenerational Elasticities of Housing Consumption and Income

We estimate intergenerational elasticities (IGE) of housing consumption and income in the U.S. Using surnames to link 1940 and 2015, we estimate a one-generation housing-consumption IGE of 0.73, higher than that of income at 0.52. Housing consumption IGE is higher for White compared to Black Americans and higher in the Northeast, patterns that contrast with income IGE. Inverting Engel curves suggests a total-consumption IGE of 0.72. Complementary to income IGE, consumption mobility is a closer measure of welfare mobility, and comparisons with income IGE inform intergenerational consumption insurance.


Working papers are not edited, and all opinions and errors are the responsibility of the author(s). The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago or the Federal Reserve System.

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