As wives' income rises relocation declines.

• Position: Your Life

Greater income parity in married-couple households may be a leading factor behind the increasing reluctance to expand one's job search geographically, despite the fact that doing so greatly improves the chances of speedy reemployment. The number of jobless managers and executives willing to relocate for new jobs has plunged 35% from prerecession levels, according to a survey by the international outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., Chicago.

"The recession undoubtedly contributed to the decline in relocation, as companies significantly reduced the amount of money budgeted to recruit out-of-state candidates," notes John A. Challenger, chief executive officer of Challenger, Gray & Christmas. "Job seekers who found listings for out-of-town job openings were probably unable to pursue them because companies would not cover their travel expenses and their own financial situation--worsened by joblessness--made paying for the trip themselves impossible."

However, the leading cause behind the drop, maintains Challenger, may be that women are contributing a greater amount of money to family income, which helps reduce some of the...