Rochester gas prices fall by 11 cents since start of tax relief

ROCHESTER N.Y. (WHEC) — Average gas prices in Rochester have fallen by nearly 11 cents in the five days since the gas tax relief started.

Rochester’s gas prices on Sunday averaged at $4.881 per gallon, according to AAA. That’s a decrease from the record-high prices on June 1, which was the first day that New York State lifted its 16-cent tax and Monroe County decreased its tax by 8 cents.

Once gas stations refill their tanks, which was often several days after June 1, they’re required by law to pass the 24-cent savings onto consumers by lowering prices.

New York State’s average has fallen by 5 cents since the tax relief started, but prices are still $0.43 higher compared to early May and nearly $1.80 higher than a year ago.

Rochester’s gas prices have increased by $0.40 compared to a month ago and around $1.75 compared to June 2021. Gas is currently more expensive in Rochester compared to Buffalo, Syracuse, and Batavia.

According to a survey from GasBuddy’s, the cheapest gas station in Rochester on Sunday was $4.39 per gallon, while the most expensive was $0.75 higher. You can explore the cheapest station through a GasBuddy’s link on our website.

Despite the tax relief, prices still remain high because of lowered crude oil supply and Europe’s limits on Russian oil imports, which shifts the demand for oil refined elsewhere.

You can see Deanna Dewberry’s Consumer Alert reports on the enforcement of the mandated lowering of gas prices on our website. If you haven’t seen a gas station lower its prices in the several days following June 1, you can report a possible violation to New York’s Tax Evasion and Fraud line at 518-457-0578.