Abstract

Based on the two-step measurement framework of the World Bank International Comparison Program, this paper uses the price data of 106 homogeneous and comparable products in 29 cities collected from the e-commerce platform to calculate the food price level at the city level in China. The spatial distribution characteristics, interdependence patterns and influencing factors of the food price level have been studied in depth. It is found that there are significant differences in the overall food price level between Chinese cities. Among them, the city with the highest food price level is Shenzhen, and the lowest is Changchun; the price levels of fresh food vary greatly between cities, while the price level of packaged food vary much smaller between cities. During 2001-2019, the food price levels between cities show a trend of convergence. Studies based on the spatial perspective show that food price level presents a certain effect of urban agglomeration. Compared with geographic spatial correlation, food price levels between cities show a stronger economic spatial correlation. Food price level of a city is largely determined by its level of economic development as well as affected by the spatial spillover of cities with similar development levels. The conclusions indicate that in order to effectively improve the accuracy of policy making related to minimum wage standard, basic living allowance, and income distribution et al., regional price level differences should be taken into consideration.