Hank Silverberg, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – If you’re sitting around the kitchen table trying to figure out what’s busting your budget this month, take a look at your gas receipts.
Gasoline is taking more out of the family budget and a much bigger percentage of your income than it did this time last year, and Virginians are getting the worst of it.
irginia residents now spend $428.40 per month on gas, said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman John Townsend.
“You’re talking about a difference of almost $85 a month compared to this time last year” Townsend said.
In Maryland, drivers are paying an average of $344.99, up $69.91 over this time last year.
“That is a huge difference in gas prices compared to this time last year,” Townsend said.
The gas tax is lower in Virginia at 17.5 cents versus 23 cents in Maryland. But Virginians, who have a lower median income than Maryland residents, are paying more because they drive more.
D.C. residents, who drive a lot less, pay about $107.59 per month on gas.
Monthly Gas Price Index from AAA Mid-Atlantic
Median household income in Virginia — $59,330
At $3.50 a gallon, the average household in Virginia spends 8.7 percent of its monthly income on gasoline. Virginians will use 122.4 gallons of gasoline during the month, spending $428.40.
A month ago, when gas was $3.31 a gallon, Virginia households spent 7.8 percent of their incomes on 116.1 gallons of gas or $386.47 per month.
A year ago, when gas was $3.02 a gallon, they spent $343.45 per month or 6.9 percent of their income for 114.4 gallons, a difference of $84.95.
Median household income in Maryland — $69,272
At $3.59 a gallon, the average Maryland household spends 6 percent of its monthly income on gasoline. They will use 96.1 gallons of gasoline during the month, spending $344.99.
A month year ago in Maryland gas was $3.39 in Maryland. That consumed 5.3 percent of a Maryland household’s monthly income on gas or $306.33 per monthly.
A year ago, when gas was $3.09 a gallon, Marylanders spent $275.08 per month or 4.8 percent of their income on gas. That’s a difference of $69.91.
Median household income in D.C. — $50,783
At $3.71 a gallon, the average household in the nation’s capital spends 1.7 percent of its monthly income on gasoline. Households will use 28.7 gallons of gasoline during the month, spending $107.59
To find cheap gas prices, search by your Zip Code.
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