Happiness and House Prices in Canada: 2009-2013

The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between happiness and housing prices in Canada. The happiness data were obtained from the General Social Survey between 2009 and 2013, asking respondents to report overall happiness level by using scale ranging between 1 to 10 points. House Price Indexes at the provincial level were constructed to cover the same period. The relationship between average house price change and average happiness was estimated using Ordinary Least Square and Logistic Regression techniques. Individual's characteristics were used as control variables. The study found that average happiness level is positively and significantly related to the change in housing prices for one group and not for another - for homeowners but not for renters. In addition, individuals with better health are much happier than individuals with poor health. Similarly, individuals with higher income are happier than individuals with less income. The implication of this study is that the government should design attractive policies to encourage homeownerships.