On quantitative spatial economic models

We show that spatial equilibrium conditions in workhorse models of quantitative spatial economics (QSE) can be generated by the McFadden (1974) model together with the condition that the individual choice probability of a region equals the population share of that region. Thus, recent models of QSE and one of the oldest location choice models can rationalize the same change in equilibrium following shocks to economic fundamentals. However, their welfare implications—even conditional on the same change in equilibrium—may differ, depending on the specification of preferences and on the type of shocks we consider.