The Energy Department reports that the average American household spent $2,912 for gas in 2012 — just under 4% of pre-tax income — the highest estimated percentage in three decades, except for 2008, when households spent a similar amount. This is in spite of the fact that gasoline consumption has been declining.

Meanwhile the average price of gasoline rose 26% in 2011 and another 3.3% in 2012.

Gas expenditures as a share of household income remain lower than in the early 1980s, when they were above 5 percent.

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