How Segregated Is Urban Consumption?

S-Tier
Journal: Journal of Political Economy
Year: 2019
Volume: 127
Issue: 4
Pages: 1684 - 1738

Authors (4)

Donald R. Davis (not in RePEc) Jonathan I. Dingel (not in RePEc) Joan Monras (Barcelona School of Economics ...) Eduardo Morales (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We provide measures of ethnic and racial segregation in urban consumption. Using Yelp reviews, we estimate how spatial and social frictions influence restaurant visits within New York City. Transit time plays a first-order role in consumption choices, so consumption segregation partly reflects residential segregation. Social frictions also affect restaurant choices: individuals are less likely to visit venues in neighborhoods demographically different from their own. While spatial and social frictions jointly produce significant levels of consumption segregation, we find that restaurant consumption is only about half as segregated as residences. Consumption segregation owes more to social than spatial frictions.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jpolec:doi:10.1086/701680
Journal Field
General
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-25