Study shows TX drivers spend 6 percent of income on gasoline

Not logged in [Log In] [Sign Up] [Points Leaders] [My Profile]

Friday, November 21, 2008 3:45:32 AM

Featured Sponsor

Save 5% on gas Get a 5% rebate on gas purchases with the Discover Card* Click here for more info


Add gas prices to your web site. Click here to find out how!

GasBuddy News Article

Study shows TX drivers spend 6 percent of income on gasoline Thursday, July 24, 2008
The San Antonio Business Journal -- Drivers in Texas spend nearly 6 percent of their income on gasoline, twice as much as what drivers in some states spend, according to a report released Wednesday by the Natural Resources Defense Council. The report highlights two areas: state-by-state vulnerability to high oil prices and implementation by states of alternatives and solutions. Texas is the 16th most vulnerable state when it comes to gas prices. The average Texas motorist spent $2,174 on gasoline in 2007, or about 5.85 percent of income, the report shows.
Visit The San Antonio Business Journal for full article

Message Forum - Read Message

Category: Daily News Article Discussions > Topics		Add to favorite topics Post New Topic
Rate this topic: Low 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 High Avg rating: 4.0 (1 votes)

Author	Topic: Study shows TX drivers spend 6 percent of income on gasoline	Post a Reply Back to Topics

JT Moderator	Message Posted: 7/24/2008 10:50:01 AM	Ignore JT Report Abuse
	Thursday, July 24, 2008 The San Antonio Business Journal -- Drivers in Texas spend nearly 6 percent of their income on gasoline, twice as much as what drivers in some states spend, according to a report released Wednesday by the Natural Resources Defense Council. The report highlights two areas: state-by-state vulnerability to high oil prices and implementation by states of alternatives and solutions. Texas is the 16th most vulnerable state when it comes to gas prices. The average Texas motorist spent $2,174 on gasoline in 2007, or about 5.85 percent of income, the report shows. Visit The San Antonio Business Journal for full article

REPLIES (newest first)

First

Next Last

joelmtz98 Rookie Author Houston Posts:1 Points:120 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 7/27/2008 11:58:51 AM	Ignore joelmtz98 Report Abuse
	I started keeping track of my gasoline costs since Januray 2008 when i started working at a Houston location that is a 95 mile round trip to and from work. The percent of my gas cost of net pay from Jan 2, 2008 to July 24, 2008 is 16.47%; and 10.55% of my gross bi-weekly check. This is still much higher that the state average of 6% and to me reaching a critical point. Two things are clear to me ...i can't afford to drive a vehicle that only gets 18 miles to the gallon (hyw) anymore and/or i can't afford to work that far away from where i live. I am currently carpooling eventhough i have been working a compressed week (10/4s) since February. I believe even one day of carpooling may reduce my gasoline costs.
CrazyQ Champion Author Washington Posts:12,434 Points:1,460,425 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 1:57:24 PM	Ignore CrazyQ Report Abuse
	Statistics can be made to lie, and liars use statistics.
357revo Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:6,779 Points:769,590 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 11:47:56 AM	Ignore 357revo Report Abuse
	A major problem with this NRDC report is that the numbers are biased to make gasoline cost percentages much higher than a driver will actually spend. That produces a shock effect to get the reader's attention, and the article gives them the impression that driving is bad for them and for the economy. The entire article is a hit piece on the use of personal autos, designed to push people into supporting their state government's pumping more money into the black hole of public transit & pushing for state and federal laws designed to force people to move back from suburban life into the big cities with their high taxes, eroding infrastructure, and high crime rates. How do they manipulate the gas cost as a percentage of income? Cost of gas is based on total gasoline sold in each state divided by number of registered drivers. Personal income is based on "per capita" earnings. Since there are commercial uses of gasoline in every state, that cost is apportioned to the registered drivers, even though it isn't a personal driving cost. That pushes up the gas cost "per driver". Look at the gas costs per driver in the various states in the full report and you can see how they jump around without rhyme or reason. Since there are many more people living in the state [non-working spouses, children, retired] than workers, the average income per worker is lowered by using the "per capita" state average. When the gas cost percentage is computed, "per driver" and "per capita" are considered equal, although they are not, and the result is a much higher gas cost percentage of income than reality. The NRDC has as its agenda the elimination of the personal auto, and they are using every tool at their disposal to bring this about, including scare scenarios about global warming, the prevention of drilling for domestic oil supplies, pushing for more restrictions on personal auto use to make driving cost-prohibitive, pushing for government spending on inefficient mass transit and rail lines.
Mahalo98 Rookie Author Georgia Posts:15 Points:48,760 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:47:08 AM	Ignore Mahalo98 Report Abuse
	New CO2 Scrubber Opposed by Environmentalists (VIDEO !!!) Scientists at Columbia University are developing a carbon dioxide (CO2) scrubber device that removes one ton of CO2 from the air every day, says the Heartland Institute http://wordpress.com/tag/carbon-eater/
laddyboy62 Champion Author Riverside Posts:1,581 Points:994,335 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:43:07 AM	Ignore laddyboy62 Report Abuse
	calif hurting also
MINERMANIAC Rookie Author Houston Posts:40 Points:18,265 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:42:29 AM	Ignore MINERMANIAC Report Abuse
	What is the Natural Resources Defense Council?!! So, we need to wean ourselves from oil dependency? I think they need to wean themselves off the kool-aid. They are defending Natural Resources. Why do you think God gave us natural resources? To use them!!!!
vwphred Rookie Author Toronto Posts:63 Points:784,300 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:42:01 AM	Ignore vwphred Report Abuse
	I know that those averages, but I have spent that much in 6 months on fuel with two small cars
bauerboy Sophomore Author Seattle Posts:158 Points:297,785 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:41:22 AM	Ignore bauerboy Report Abuse
	Everything's bigger in Texas.
armstrmb Champion Author Houston Posts:2,137 Points:478,820 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:40:49 AM	Ignore armstrmb Report Abuse
	I know that gas prices in Houston are far lower than in New York and Connecticut. Maybe this is less due to state efforts to lower gas prices and more due to federal funding of transportation projects (subways, Amtrak, ...).
copperhead8 Champion Author Boston Posts:5,485 Points:1,206,145 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:38:36 AM	Ignore copperhead8 Report Abuse
	How'd they figure this one out? Makes no sense to me.
Mahalo98 Rookie Author Georgia Posts:15 Points:48,760 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:37:35 AM	Ignore Mahalo98 Report Abuse
	It’s all relative to the person, income, the size of the vehicle, and how many cars you own. I believe this to be an average which has highs and low so we are only seeing the medium.
Dale Jr. Champion Author Iowa Posts:8,010 Points:1,611,725 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:36:38 AM	Ignore Dale Jr. Report Abuse
	The reports numbers don't seem right.
dls_txxs_grl All-Star Author Dallas Posts:869 Points:59,850 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:36:37 AM	Ignore dls_txxs_grl Report Abuse
	I defenitely belive this...our mass transit stinks (although it is improving) and everything here is very spread apart...
SachseQueen Champion Author Dallas Posts:5,759 Points:1,064,925 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:36:02 AM	Ignore SachseQueen Report Abuse
	$2174 as 5.85% of your income = about $37,000 income. That average seems a bit low to me!
Bannack All-Star Author Florida Posts:750 Points:134,445 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:29:44 AM	Ignore Bannack Report Abuse
	and the reason is?
Sabredude Sophomore Author New York Posts:148 Points:237,535 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:25:10 AM	Ignore Sabredude Report Abuse
	seems a little low to me.
DarthDadJr Veteran Author Virginia Posts:457 Points:95,310 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:23:10 AM	Ignore DarthDadJr Report Abuse
	Need more info...rural drivers are different than city...and Texas is a HUGE state...I'm sure that affected the study.
Somis1 Champion Author Ventura Posts:4,897 Points:1,062,225 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:22:26 AM	Ignore Somis1 Report Abuse
	Texas has always had cheaper gasoline than most states and it still does--it's green on the gas price temperature map.
s6sputnik Champion Author Austin Posts:2,186 Points:442,030 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:19:57 AM	Ignore s6sputnik Report Abuse
	Data is useless!
amacquarrie Veteran Author Nevada Posts:333 Points:77,235 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:18:26 AM	Ignore amacquarrie Report Abuse
	that does seem a little low
dreamweaver7050 All-Star Author Louisiana Posts:670 Points:478,415 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:17:34 AM	Ignore dreamweaver7050 Report Abuse
	and
WillyG Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,420 Points:477,970 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:15:08 AM	Ignore WillyG Report Abuse
	That's nothing. Try 16%
rbdesigns Veteran Author Modesto Posts:492 Points:169,815 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:12:20 AM	Ignore rbdesigns Report Abuse
	That's probably because everything is spread out so they have to drive furthor.
gasie1 Champion Author Maine Posts:2,036 Points:950,685 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:11:39 AM	Ignore gasie1 Report Abuse
	I pay a lot more than 6% for gas and home heating oil.
coolpado All-Star Author Virginia Posts:872 Points:178,545 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:11:35 AM	Ignore coolpado Report Abuse
	Glad it's not over 10%
JB1881 Champion Author New Mexico Posts:1,673 Points:402,560 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:10:21 AM	Ignore JB1881 Report Abuse
	SO WHAT!
Wolfwings All-Star Author Delaware Posts:843 Points:251,365 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:10:04 AM	Ignore Wolfwings Report Abuse
	I wonder what it costs in a major city like NYC or LA or CHI?
Dennis783 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:5,603 Points:1,122,945 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:08:26 AM	Ignore Dennis783 Report Abuse
	I agree its a lot, but 6% seems high
AC-302 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:8,366 Points:1,316,380 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:07:31 AM	Ignore AC-302 Report Abuse
	I'd imagine sunny California is also a problem this way. After all, we have a fractured economy. Lots of poor laborer types, but a good contingent of professionals as well. So the professionals (docs, lawyers, engineers, entertainment folks) can afford the costs. Others may not.
fedupintx Veteran Author Dallas Posts:278 Points:42,800 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:06:12 AM	Ignore fedupintx Report Abuse
	That explains where 1/4 of the pay check goes and the bill collecters get 2/4 and kids usually get the rest, no wonder I stay broke
Fisch2 Veteran Author Grand Rapids Posts:338 Points:134,270 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:03:51 AM	Ignore Fisch2 Report Abuse
	Um. This is not news. This is media reporting normal statistics as if they are beyond incredible. If you make $50K, and you spend $3K (more than "average") on that expensive gas, WOW, that's 6%.
Brn2bEvl All-Star Author New York Posts:837 Points:182,375 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:55:35 AM	Ignore Brn2bEvl Report Abuse
	And i spend 6 percent on tv - who cares.
EXTREMESNOW Champion Author Oregon Posts:1,191 Points:310,585 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:54:45 AM	Ignore EXTREMESNOW Report Abuse
	AND ALABAMA SPENDS 8%, NEXT WE WILL HEAR ABOUT CALIFORNIA.
RCinNM Champion Author New Mexico Posts:4,487 Points:538,835 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:52:10 AM	Ignore RCinNM Report Abuse
	I can assure you that I'm paying much more than 6% of my pay for fuel.
ankhes Veteran Author Toronto Posts:465 Points:234,070 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:49:34 AM	Ignore ankhes Report Abuse
	My sentiments exactly, HockeyLady.
HockeyLady Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,276 Points:931,110 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:47:52 AM	Ignore HockeyLady Report Abuse
	and what are the incomes levels they are basing this on?
RF4CPhantom Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,242 Points:163,215 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:46:49 AM	Ignore RF4CPhantom Report Abuse
	Very interesting~!
Brockvillian Veteran Author Ontario Posts:437 Points:277,245 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:41:50 AM	Ignore Brockvillian Report Abuse
	I'd Like to spend only 6 percent of my income.
CdnGlassLady Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,286 Points:119,300 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:41:40 AM	Ignore CdnGlassLady Report Abuse
	I now this is a gas board. but a more realistic picture would be to factor in the total cost of fuel including heating ones home be it electric heat or gas or oil. then it is mind boggling how much of ones income is spent no matter where you live
10pennypincher Veteran Author St. Louis Posts:431 Points:222,225 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:41:34 AM	Ignore 10pennypincher Report Abuse
	this news makes the case for people to move back into the cities from the burbs.
unclebobMO Veteran Author Missouri Posts:259 Points:150,815 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:39:21 AM	Ignore unclebobMO Report Abuse
	Sounds like everybody I know. We must conserve better and drive less.
scrounger Champion Author Vancouver Posts:6,271 Points:1,683,595 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:38:28 AM	Ignore scrounger Report Abuse
	must be pretty big incomes
rod1965 All-Star Author Portland Posts:616 Points:95,125 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:38:25 AM	Ignore rod1965 Report Abuse
	Welcome to the party Texas.
canescommuter All-Star Author Greensboro Posts:668 Points:158,320 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:38:16 AM	Ignore canescommuter Report Abuse
	Texas is a whole other country. T. Boone Pickens wants US taxpayers to expand the electric grid so wind farms can distribute power generated in Texas and he can profit. Upgrading the national grid is a necessary goal, but I think his plan is really just an attempt for his company not to have to absorb the expense. Look at the national power grid http://encarta.msn.com/media_701509077/the_national_power_grid.html Texas has chosen to limit their connectivity to the national grid and now T. Boone needs taxpayers to connect his project for it to make money. I agree with much of his arguments in general, but his motives are suspect.
The_WB Champion Author Detroit Posts:4,521 Points:478,975 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:38:04 AM	Ignore The_WB Report Abuse
	Most states beat this
edgarbrn Sophomore Author Charleston Posts:181 Points:325,955 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:37:15 AM	Ignore edgarbrn Report Abuse
	OK.
FizedNH Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:1,183 Points:222,455 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:37:14 AM	Ignore FizedNH Report Abuse
	I think NY and Ca beat that...
MG_Sputnik All-Star Author Philadelphia Posts:637 Points:442,570 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:36:23 AM	Ignore MG_Sputnik Report Abuse
	I also agree with JimL1. Make the speculators "earn" their money by forcing them to put more up each time they want to buy an oil futures contract. Watch how much less oil will then be traded with a subsequent drop in prices.
BoerneWatch Champion Author San Antonio Posts:6,434 Points:830,135 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:34:51 AM	Ignore BoerneWatch Report Abuse
	The statistics look bad, but you have to remember that housing and food are much less here than the rest of the country, we never had a real estate bubble that burst and we don't have income taxes. So gas is a little more expensive. We drive less than usual.
my3sons Champion Author New York Posts:1,585 Points:855,820 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:34:05 AM	Ignore my3sons Report Abuse
	NY probably pays more -- we're still over $4 a gal here and home haeting fuel is offered at $4.80 to lock in now