The difference in cost of living between US states is less than between different regions of Russia. This was reported by the press service of the Higher School of Economics.
The cost of living is one of the most important economic indicators of a country because the quality of life largely depends on the difference between the country and the income level. At the same time, the cost of living can vary from region to region, which in itself is not a bad thing, but very large disproportions can point to problems in the country’s development.
“The cost of living index in Russia ranges from 73% to 178% [от среднего уровня]: There are regions in our country where prices are very high (Anadyr, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Magadan) or very low (Nazran, Saransk, Belgorod). In the United States, the same indicator (but calculated on the average composition of American households’ consumer spending) ranges from 83% to 118%, the scientists reported.
The data were obtained from the US Department of Commerce on the one hand and Rosstat on the other. Rosstat calculates the cost of living based on a predetermined basket of goods and services, which includes both food and clothing, furniture, travel, medicines, leisure activities and even building materials. At the same time, Russia and the United States are very similar in terms of income distribution between large and small settlements.
“In many cases, those living in large settlements also have higher per capita incomes. And the more expensive living in them only partially equalizes the purchasing power of the population living in different settlements,” conclude the scientists.
The study’s authors hope these findings will form the basis of government policy to reduce the unreasonable cost of living gap between regions.
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