A study conducted by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs on gender-based pricing suggests women pay significantly more money than men for the same products.
The agency compared 800 products with male and female versions representing more than 90 brands sold at two dozen retailers in New York City. The industries studied include: toys and accessories, children’s clothing, adult clothing, personal care products, and home health care products for seniors.
The study, titled "From Cradle to Cane: The Cost of Being a Female Consumer," concluded women’s products cost on average 7 percent more than similar products for men. The highest difference (13 percent) was in the personal care products industry, while the lowest difference (4 percent) was in the children's clothing industry. Specifically:
Credit: NYC Consumer Affairs
A disparity frequency chart shows women pay more 42 percent of the time, while men pay more only 18 percent of the time. Forty-percent of the time the pricing is equal.
The study included 35 product categories, and female consumers paid more in 30 of those categories.
For example, Target sells a red Radio Flyer scooter and a pink Radio Flyer scooter on Target.com. The two products are identical with the exception of the color. When the report was published, Target was selling the red scooter for $24.99 and the pink scooter for $49.99.
A Target spokesman told the Washington Post the company lowered the price of the pink scooter after the report was released, citing a “system error.”
Credit: NYC Consumer Affairs
Another example includes nearly identical razor blades sold by Schick.
Men pay $14.99 while women pay $18.49
The study's official conclusion stated:
There are some examples where women pay less than men. Men pay an estimated $15,000 more over their lifetime than women for car insurance, according to CoverHound.com. According to a study from Swapalease.com, men also pay more than women on popular car leases.