Spatial Variations and Urban–Rural Differences in Human Well-Being: Insights from China’s Rust Belt

Urbanization has profoundly transformed people’s traditional ways of life and environments, influencing the subjective perceptions of well-being among local residents. At present, high-resolution quantification comparison of well-being from urban to rural areas remains limited. In this study, we focus on the typical rust belt area in Jilin Province, China, and construct an evaluation index system for human well-being (HWB). Using data collected from on-site questionnaire surveys of 1197 households, we systematically analyze spatial distributions and urban–rural differences in HWB. The results showed that (1) Changchun, as the core city, exhibits significantly higher HWB than nearby areas, likely due to the siphon effect; (2) urban residents have the highest levels of well-being, followed by urban fringe, township, and rural areas; and (3) the factors influencing spatial changes and urban-rural disparities in HWB are diverse, mainly associated with levels of income, employment, and livelihood security. Our findings reveal a strong interdependence between urban and rural well-being, highlighting the need for integrated governance and tailored policies to enhance the sustainability of livelihoods and well-being in rust belt regions.