Why's gas so expensive particularly in New York State and the West Coast, but the middle of the U.S. it's not?

Question

I was just looking at a map and the whole west coast has high prices for gas, and on the east coast basically New York state only sticks out. Also, the middle of the U.S. has the cheapest prices, especially Oklahoma and the state with St. Louis in it (Sorry. I'm Canadian. I have no idea what state that is).

Answer 1

Since you are from Canada, you don't understand that those two coast are the most espensive in everything, not just gas.  Houses and apartments are also double and sometimes triple what they would cost elsewhere.  The cost of living is higher on both coast and people are paid more.  A job in NYC would pay way more than if that same job was in Alabama etc.

Answer 2

Simple... state taxes on top of the other charges and national taxes added to the basic cost of gas.

Answer 3

In California, gas prices are higher for several reasons:

State taxes

Additional additives

AND that the gas-companies CAN charge more.

The Central USA has a straighter pipe-line from the refineries in Louisiana... as well as lower state taxes

Answer 4

That is Missouri. I am in Texas and gas is a big ripoff here. It is not the middle east's fault. Texas exports gas. Canada is the number one supplier of oil to the USA. We are getting screwed by our own corporations.

Answer 5

It really does depend on where you live.  I live in Houston, Tx which is a major city and the gas right now is around 3.96.  That's for regular unleaded.  Getting bad huh?

Answer 6

living in places like new york and san francisco is generally more expensive. people make more money there and the cost of living is higher. people living there use more cars as well. it depends on how suburban and economical a place is

Answer 7

Karma