Recent surveys show average lower to middle income American families spend about 10-12% of their disposable income on food …. and spend about the same 9-13% on gasoline.

Have transportation costs ever been a higher percentage of the American family budget? An April 2008 survey by Kaiser Family Foundation found that 44% of American respondents said they are having problems paying for fuel.

And what happens if the cost of gasoline rises to 20% of the family budget? Do you give up your home, your car insurance, your medical insurance, your food, your child’s college education … for gasoline?  

In 2001, a U.S. Energy Information Administration study showed about 5% of the budget of an average American family’s budget was spent on gasoline.

According to statistics from the Center for American Progress Action Fund:

Families with incomes less than $10,000 spend about 13% ($1,292) on gasoline.
Families with incomes of $10,000 - $15,000 spend about 9 - 13% of their income on gasoline.
Families with incomes of $50,000 - $75,000 spend about 5% of their income on gasoline.

Most studies show food costs have gone up 4 to 7% in the last year, while gasoline costs have gone up 20% or more in the last year.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the April 2008 price of gasoline was up 20.9% compared to the same time last year.