The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles Area was $3.24 for the week ended July 31, down 3 cents from the previous week, according to the Energy Information Administration and. The national average was unchanged when compared to last week at $3.

L.A. prices are 67 cents higher than they were a year ago. Statewide, the average price was $ 3.20 down 2 cents from the previous week and up 65 cents from a year ago.

Nationwide, Los Angeles had the highest average price of gas in major cities, and was one of five cities over the $3-a-gallon mark. Chicago had the second-most expensive gas at $3.23 a gallon with San Francisco next at $3.15. California was the most expensive state and Texas, with an average of $2.90, was the least expensive.