Perceived pollution and selective out-migration: revisiting the role of income for environmental inequality

The disproportionate exposure of minorities and socio-economically disadvantaged households to environmental pollution is often explained by selective migration or sorting mechanisms. Yet, previous empirical results remain inconclusive. Here, we offer an explanation for the mixed findings focusing on out-migration stage triggered pollution. We argue that many income-independent explanations minority disadvantages predict across destinations but are less predictive stage. test if subjective impairment through air selectively affects probability according income status. use household-level panel data German SOEP from 1986 2016 within-household estimates correlated random effects probit models. Findings show perceived has a stronger effect likelihood moving experiencing increasing income. also find differences between native first-generation immigrant households, become smaller non-significant once control This at odds with studies in-migration stage, where heavily plays important role. decision move seems follow different pattern than determinants destination.