Score contribution per author:
α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count
This paper investigates the effect of relative income on marriage. Accounting flexibly for absolute income, the ratio between a mans income and a local reference group median is a strong predictor of marital status, but only for low-income men. Relative income affects marriage even among those living with a partner. A 10 percent higher reference group income is associated with a 2 percent reduction in marriage. We propose an identity model to explain the results.