Energy

Gasoline: 
While the increase in gas prices has increased costs for all commuters, workers from households whose income is below the federal poverty level pay a larger proportion of their income for gas.  According to an Urban Institute Study, low-income commuters on average have slightly shorter commutes than those with incomes above the poverty level.  However, because their incomes are much lower, poorer commuters spend a much higher portion of their wages on gas. As gas prices inch toward $5 per gallon, double, and in some cases triple, poorer families may see as much as 10 percent of their incomes devoted to buying gasoline.

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