A new set of data from the Center for Neighborhood Technology shows very well the economic consequences of different housing choices in light of rising gasoline prices.  The two maps below show how much households in the KC metro area spent on gasoline in 2000 and 2008.

In 2008 there is a dramatic difference between urban and suburban neighborhoods. In general, households  in areas where you can walk, bike, or bus to work and errands spend much less on gasoline than households in neighborhoods that are dependent on the automobile for transportation.

In 2000, most households spent less than $1600 a year on gasoline.  For the areas on the fringes of the  metro area it went up as high as $2400.

Money spent on gasoline in 2000

In 2008, the number rises to $3800, or even higher on the fringes. Meanwhile, the central corridor between North Kansas City and Waldo is spending less than $3000 on gasoline. A few other areas like central KCK, central Independence, and parks of Northeast Johnson County are also spending less. There are just a few areas below $2400 – Downtown, Midtown, and the Plaza.  These areas have the densest concentration of jobs, housing, and transit all in one place. Only one area remained in the same price range, the north-central part of the Downtown Loop that includes the Garment, Library, and Financial Districts.

Money spent on gasoline in 2008

These maps come from the Center For Neighborhood Technology and their Housing+Transportation Affordability Index. You can use their web site to zoom in or out on these maps.