The Links between Children’s Education Choices and Residential Location: Evidence from Migrant Households of Shanghai, China

The residential choices of households have been heavily influenced by children’s education. However, migrants have rarely been examined in this regard. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap. ArcGIS was used to demonstrate the geographical distribution of educational facilities. SPSS was employed for statistical testing using CEPS data. This study analyzed the correlation between education-related factors and residential locations of households with hukou not registered in the district of school. Migrant households were investigated particularly. The findings underscored the disparities in the quality and accessibility of education. The residential choices of migrant households exhibited significant correlations with the rankings of junior high schools and high school plans. Local hukou and household capital played critical roles in education and housing decisions. Based on the empirical findings, suggestions were put forward to enhance the equal access to local post-compulsory educational resources for migrant households.