Relative income inequality and selected health outcomes in urban Chinese youth

► Relative household income inequality can be perceived in two dimensions: relative to peers, or relative to the past. ► Relative household income measures, as well as the absolute household income, may all be related to health outcomes. ► As expected, the higher the youth perceive their relative household incomes, the better their general health. ► Unexpectedly, perceived relative household income may not have linear relationships with mental health and health behavior. ► Youth who perceived affluence in their relative household income may not have the best mental health and health behavior.