Gas prices have spiked in these Bay Area cities

SAN FRANCISCO ( KRON ) — With tensions rising in the Middle East, the Bay Area has been seeing a steady increase in gas prices. According to AAA gas prices, the cities of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose have had almost 10 times the increase in gas prices compared to California's average price hike.

San Francisco is currently the second-most expensive gas-priced metro in California after Napa. On average, its gas prices are currently $5.75 per gallon. Oakland ranks fifth highest in the state at $5.63, with sixth place being San Jose at $5.60. The average price for gas in California is currently $5.45.

California has seen a 1.5% increase in gas prices over the past month, whereas San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose have seen an average increase of 14% in the past 30 days.

According to AAA, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose have had nearly ten times the increase in gas prices in the past month compared to California's average.

Among other Bay Area cities, Santa Rosa and San Rafael have been ranked in third and fourth place in the highest-ranking metros for gas in California.

The average price for gas in the United States is currently $3.63, $1.80 cheaper than California's average. The cheapest place to find gas in the country is currently Colorado Springs, at $2.95 a gallon.

Demand for gasoline generally rises during the spring until Memorial Day. Recent tensions in the Middle East could put further pressure on gasoline prices.

"Renewed Ukrainian attacks on Russia's oil infrastructure and increasing tension in the Middle East spiked oil prices recently," said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. "And with the cost of oil accounting for roughly 60% of what we pay at the pump, there will likely be some upward pressure on prices."

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand rose from last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks decreased. Higher demand and rising oil prices will likely nudge pump prices higher.

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