Where Americans live plays a major role in whether they can move up the economic ladder, a new study profiled by the New York Times reveals. The study by economists compares upward mobility across different metropolitan areas.

The data reveals that cities in the Southeast lag far behind those in the Northeast when it comes to giving residents a chance to improve their economic standing. The chances of moving up the money ladder are low in places like Atlanta and Charlotte, and are higher in places like New York and Pittsburgh.

‘Where you grow up matters,