Even with some of the cheapest gas in the nation, Missourians feel a pinch every time they open their wallets at the pump.

The Natural Resources Defense Council released a report Tuesday that ranked the 50 states by their vulnerability to spikes in gas prices. Missouri drivers might not like what they hear.

The study used statistics from the U.S. Department of Energy to compute consumer fuel costs by state, then factored in the average income for citizens in each state to find how vulnerable they are to soaring prices.

Missouri ranked 15th, with drivers spending 6 percent of their annual income on gasoline in 2007 — an average of $2,064.16 per consumer. Kansas drivers were better off with 4.85 percent of their incomes devoted to fuel. Connecticut drivers felt the least pain, while Mississippi citizens spent the largest share of their income on fuel.

“How much (customers) pay per gallon is not quite as important as what their overall fuel bill is,” said Deron Lovaas, transportation policy director for the NRDC.

The study contains enough numbers to bog down even the most diligent reader. In simple terms, higher incomes make up for high gas prices. Also, states with stringent fuel efficiency standards and widespread mass transit systems ensure that their citizens don’t have to fill up as often, thus saving money on gas. As a result, Californians who pay almost $4.50 per gallon still fare better financially than Show-Me State customers who pay less than $3.90.

While most people focus on gas prices, the NRDC used its study to find ways to reduce fuel consumption.

The council proposed three solutions. One is a clean-car rule, pioneered in California, which would lead to more efficient cars that use less fuel. Second comes a low-carbon fuel standard that gives customers more options at the pump. Finally, the report asks states to emulate a plan from Washington state that would reduce traffic growth in the future.

In a ranking of how well states find solutions to combat fuel costs, Missouri ranked 42nd and Kansas was 25th. California topped the list, with Alaska at the bottom.

“States can’t do it alone,” Mr. Lovaas said. “ The federal government needs to step up to the plate sooner rather than later.”

To review the complete study, visit http://www.nrdc.org/energy/states/contents.asp.

Clinton Thomas can be reached at clintonthomas@npgco.com.