Low-income families in the United States have been the hardest hit by rising housing and transportation prices, Fox Business reported on Thursday, citing the Brookings Institution's Affordability Index.

While the national average price of unleaded gas fell to just below US$4 a gallon on Wednesday and Thursday following record highs driven by inflation not seen in 40 years, prices are still much more than they were a year ago.

"America's commuters have been seeing the effects -- at the pump and at home," said the report, noting that "the top three changes since prices have increased included driving less, combining errands, and reducing dining out or shopping."

"Just 16.2% of Latino workers and 19.7% of Black workers were able to work from home in 2020, compared with 37% of Asian workers and 29.9% of non-Hispanic workers," said the report.

The American Automobile Association said that more than 76% of Americans commute by car. While people who take public transportation might not have been directly impacted by increasing gas prices, rising costs in other areas could impact their ability to afford that fare, it added.

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