Still-Rising Fuel Costs Squeeze Household Budgets Across Alabama And Southeast

Those meters on fuel pumps are spinning faster and higher at the beginning of the new work week. The cost of a gallon of gas nationally rose to $4.31 this morning. That is 16¢ higher than a week ago. In Alabama, an 11¢ jump over last week has taken gas to $3.91 a gallon.

Economists are voicing concern that fuel is taking up a larger share of weekly paychecks, resulting in families having fewer dollars left over for groceries and basic living expenses.

"686 dollars, that's how much more an average Alabama family has to pay for gasoline since Trump started the war in Iran," Democrat Congresswoman Terri Sewell stated in a Facebook post. "Families are having to choose between putting gas in the car or food on the table."

President Trump has repeatedly told reporters that elevated prices are tied to the Iran war and will ease only “right after the election.”

Carl Davis, Research Director at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy writes on the organization's website that studies on state-level inflation show that surging fuel costs place an extra monthly burden on drivers in southern states because many families already have very little disposable income.

Gas remains cheaper in the south because of proximity to refineries, but lower incomes result in families feeling the pinch almost as much as Californians, who are shelling out a top price of $6.00 a gallon.

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In West Alabama

Three counties, Greene, Perry, and Sumter, are paying out an average cost at or above $4.00 a gallon, putting Greene and Perry above their all-time high of $4.05 a gallon set in September 2008.

Breakdown of West Alabama gas prices:

• Bibb - $3.91
• Fayette - $3.98
• Greene - $4.07
• Hale - $3.97
• Lamar - $3.95
• Marengo - $3.91
• Perry - $4.16
• Pickens - $3.93
• Sumter - $4.00
• Tuscaloosa - $3.92
• Walker $3.88

Diesel Prices Bump Up the Cost of Everything

Even more concerning is the $6.23 national, $5.96 state and $5.88 Tuscaloosa cost of a gallon of diesel, a record high. That is driving the cost of virtually everything higher.

When diesel prices rise, freight companies add fuel surcharges, which show up as higher prices on store shelves. That ripples through the entire cost of living because it is a foundation cost for almost everything households buy or use.