Want cheaper gas? Try higher income neighborhoods

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Some experts told Action 9 reporter Jason Stoogenke that gas is usually more expensive in higher-income neighborhoods because overhead is more, salaries may be higher and customers are willing to pay more.

But, Stoogenke noticed that is not necessarily the case.

Stoogenke made a list of the five highest and lowest income neighborhoods in Charlotte, based on the city's official data.

LINK: The 5 highest median household income

LINK: The 5 lowest median household income

Then, he mapped out the gas stations near those neighborhoods based on state records.

Stoogenke went to the gas stations in those areas at about the same time of the same day, including chains and those that are independently-owned.

Except for Myers Park, which was $2.59, gas near higher-income neighborhoods was much cheaper.

Nearly all were $2.35 or $2.37.

"It does seem to be a better price in this neighborhood, surprisingly," motorist Susan Hill said.

Gas near lower-income areas were almost all $2.43, $2.45, $2.49 or $2.55.

"You think that's fair? If you (are) getting less money over here and you charge higher for the gas here. Then, over there, you charge less for gas where people getting paid more money," motorist Malik Hasan said.

A government researcher said lower-income areas usually have higher crime and the cost of doing business in high-crime areas is usually more, so businesses there charge more for groceries or gas.

LINKS: