The effect of housing price inequality on mental health

Abstract

This study investigates whether and how changes in local housing price inequality affect individuals' mental health. We construct a local-level housing price inequality index using data on all housing transactions in South Korea and link it with individual-level medical utilization records. We find that rising local housing price inequality increases the likelihood of medical visits and expenditures related to mental health conditions. Subgroup analysis shows that the estimated effect of housing price inequality is highly heterogeneous, as the estimates vary noticeably by gender, age, and income levels. Housing price inequality also affects other health-related behaviors, suggesting broader long-term health consequences of economic inequality.