Products and services marketed towards girls and women are substantially marked up compared to similar men’s products. This gender tax (aka “pink tax”) ends up costing us females thousands of dollars, a study by the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs reveals.
The agency compared nearly 800 products with male and female versions sold at two dozen retailers in New York City. The results are infuriating:
On average, across all five industries, DCA found that women’s products cost 7 percent more than similar products for men. Specifically:
- 7 percent more for toys and accessories
- 4 percent more for children’s clothing
- 8 percent more for adult clothing
- 13 percent more for personal care products
- 8 percent more for senior/home health care products
In all but five of the 35 product categories analyzed, products for female consumers were priced higher than those for male consumers. Across the sample, DCA found that women’s products cost more 42 percent of the time while men’s products cost more 18 percent of the time.
The biggest price discrepancy was for hair care products: Women pay 48 more for shampoo and conditioner than men—for nearly identical products. A pink Radio Flyer scooter is priced at $49.99 and the red version for boys is $24.99.
You can check out all the comparisons and examples in the PDF linked below, but unless you like paying more money for the same things packaged for men, avoid the marked up “women’s” products.
A Study of Gender Pricing in New York City | NYC Consumer Affairs via The Washington Post