A national study says we're cheap.

All right, inexpensive.

		On the Internet Read the report in its entirety at the Surface Transportation Policy Project site.

Pittsburgh finished lowest among 28 metropolitan areas for combined spending by households on the two biggest expenses in the family budget -- housing and transportation.

Some 45.8 percent of Pittsburghers' expenditures go for those two life necessities, according to the study "Driven to Spend," done jointly by the Surface Transportation Policy Project and the Center for Neighborhood Technology, pro-environment interest groups opposed to suburban sprawl.

"To be lowest is a very good sign for us," said David Ginns, specialist for the Transportation for Livable Communities Project, affiliated with Sustainable Pittsburgh and the Surface Transportation Policy Project. "It speaks to things we're trying to do, like fixing existing highways first, making transportation more efficient and putting more money into walking, bicycling and public transit."

When Ginns, his wife and mother-in-law moved to Mt. Lebanon three years ago, they picked a house along the 41G Dormont bus line and only a quarter-mile walk to the Light Rail Transit system, so they could practice what they preach. They also sold one of their three cars.

"Having public transit available helps the overall transportation system and alleviates household costs," he said. "With today's gas prices, it makes a big difference."

The study based on household expenses showed Pittsburgh metro families spent 16.6 percent of their income, or $6,972, on transportation in 2003, mostly families that averaged two cars. That ranked Pittsburgh 23rd of 28 urban areas.

An average 29.2 percent of income spent on housing ($12,310, including utilities and taxes) not only was the lowest nationally, but when combined with transportation was sufficient to drop Pittsburgh to the bottom of the list, No. 28 overall.

A separate look at the impact of higher gasoline prices showed Pittsburghers paid $233 more last year than they did in 2003, ranking 21st overall. By comparison, Los Angeles area drivers, at No. 1, paid out $316 more for gas.

The study sampled more than 1,000 households in each of the 28 metropolitan areas. In Pittsburgh, gross incomes averaged $52,988 per household, with $42,102 available for expenditures after taxes.

Key findings, nationwide, of the Driven to Spend study showed:

Households in regions that have invested in public transit reap financial benefits from having affordable options, like bus systems in Allegheny and surrounding counties, as gas prices go up.

Low-income families are unduly affected because higher transportation costs claim a higher percentage of their budgets.

About 10 percent of Pittsburgh metro residents commute to work on public transit, 1 percent above the national average in the 28 cities. The highest was 31 percent in New York City, where the transit system is extensive and housing is dense.

"Transportation costs are already too high and recent spikes in gas prices only make the burden on families heavier," said Anne Canby, president of the Surface Transportation Policy Project. "This is a wake-up call to Congress to use the pending federal transportation bill to strengthen commitments to transit and other travel options to help families save money."