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Retail Redlining: Are Gasoline Prices Higher In Poor And Minority Neighborhoods?

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  • CAITLIN KNOWLES MYERS
  • GRACE CLOSE
  • LAURICE FOX
  • JOHN WILLIAM MEYER
  • MADELINE NIEMI

Abstract

Higher retail prices are frequently cited as a cost of living in poor, minority neighborhoods. However, the empirical evidence, which primarilycomes from the grocery gap literature on food prices, has been mixed. This study uses new data on retail gasoline prices in three major U.S.cities to provide evidence on the relationship between neighborhood characteristics and consumer prices. We find that gasoline prices do not varygreatly with neighborhood racial composition, but that prices are higher in poor neighborhoods. For a 10 percentage point increase in the percentof families with incomes below the poverty line relative to families with incomes between 1 and 2 times the poverty line, retail gasoline prices are estimated to increase by an average of 0.70 percent. This differential is reduced to 0.22 percent once we add controls for costs, competition, and demand. Finally, we provide evidence that the remaining, small, price differential for poor neighborhoods is likely the result of traditional price discrimination in response to less competition and/or more inelastic demand in these locations.
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Suggested Citation

  • Caitlin Knowles Myers & Grace Close & Laurice Fox & John William Meyer & Madeline Niemi, 2011. "Retail Redlining: Are Gasoline Prices Higher In Poor And Minority Neighborhoods?," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 49(3), pages 795-809, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:49:y:2011:i:3:p:795-809
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    1. repec:dgr:rugsom:14027-eef is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Bruzikas, Tadas & Soetevent, Adriaan, 2014. "Detailed data and changes in market structure," Research Report 14027-EEF, University of Groningen, Research Institute SOM (Systems, Organisations and Management).
    3. Bauer, Anahid & Feir, Donn. L. & Gregg, Matthew T., 2022. "The tribal digital divide: Extent and Explanations," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(9).
    4. Soetevent, Adriaan R. & Bružikas, Tadas, 2018. "The impact of process innovation on prices: Evidence from automated fuel retailing in The Netherlands," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 181-196.
    5. Demet Yilmazkuday & Hakan Yilmazkuday, 2019. "Redistributive Effects of Gasoline Prices," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 109-124, March.
    6. Tadas Bruzikas & Adriaan R. Soetevent, 2014. "Detailed Data and Changes in Market Structure: The Move to Unmanned Gasoline Service Stations," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 14-123/VII, Tinbergen Institute.
    7. Yelowitz, Aaron & Scott, Frank & Beck, Jason, 2011. "The market for real estate brokerage services in low- and high-income neighborhoods: A 6 city study," MPRA Paper 35608, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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