Women Pay More Than Men for These Common Items

Product: Gillette Razor
Men’s Price: $14*
Women’s Price: $25*
Pink Tax: $11* 

There’s no question that men’s razors are made better and sharper than women’s razors. So why are women charged more for a lower quality product? Some may argue in the case of the quality that it’s because women’s hair isn’t as thick or rough as a man’s, but is that any excuse to charge a woman more for the identical product?

Razors ©diy13 | ©RossHelen / Shutterstock.com

While a woman’s razor looks more aesthetically pleasing, for example, with pastel and vibrant colors or a smooth metal handle, men’s razors are more typically simpler in design overall. Even though women arguably shave more and possibly go through more razors, a single Gillette pack of a woman’s razor will simply cost  more than a men’s pack.

Product: Gap T-Shirt
Men’s Price: $19.95
Women’s Price: $29.95
Pink Tax: $10

Women are expected to dress in the latest fashion trends and in a variety of styles. From blouses to tank tops to fashion blazers, there are many looks that a woman can choose to wear. Stereotypically, the average woman may even have more clothes in her closet than a man. 

Shirts ©4Max | ©Mockup Cloud / Shutterstock.com

On average, women’s shirts cost typically more than men’s shirts – even if they’re the same general make and fabric. Even when it comes to a simple Gap t-shirt, you’ll notice that a woman’s shirt costs more than the same in a men’s. 

Product: Dove Shampoo
Men’s Price: $4.49
Women’s Price: $5.99
Pink Tax: $1.50

If there’s one feature most desired by women it’s gorgeous, healthy hair. There are plenty of high-end hair products that have unbelievable prices, especially when compared to men’s hair products. But from hairsprays to heat protectants to the simple everyday shampoo, women are undoubtedly paying a pink tax. 

Dove Shampoo @cvs / Twitter.com | @unilever / Twitter.com

While not all men use as many hair products as women do, even a typical product like shampoo – consisting of the same ingredients – will cost more for the female version. Dove’s women’s shampoo, for example, costs almost 20% more than a men’s bottle.

Product: Degree Deodorant
Men’s Price: $2.49
Women’s Price: $4.49
Pink Tax: $2

Everyone sweats, right? Which means no one wants to be caught with body odor and underarm stains. Enter: deodorant Both men and women use this product to keep good hygiene and smell great throughout the day. If both genders use it, then why can a women’s deodorant cost almost double what men’s does? 

Deodorant @A2Z Store | @Target / Pinterest.com

Some may think that perhaps women’s deodorant contains more active ingredients, precipitating its price hike. But in the case of women’s Degree – which contains the same active ingredients, a women’s stick is inexplicably nearly double that of a men’s stick.

Product: J. Crew Swimsuit
Men’s Price: $69
Women’s Price: $110
Pink Tax: $41 

Women can easily spend a good chunk of money on a new swimsuit. Retailers gouge the price of women’s swimsuits, especially when they sell two-piece sets separately. While this gives customers the option to choose a different top and bottom, they typically end up paying much more than if it was sold as a single set. 

Swimsuits ©Nadia Cruzova | ©ANRproduction / Shutterstock.com

Men’s swimsuits are simple in nature, usually just a pair of swim trunks. This could also be a factor for the price to be lower than women’s swimsuits. They don’t require too much variety or design, which makes them simpler to produce.  

Product: Nivea Body Lotion
Men’s Price: $5.49
Women’s Price: $7.29
Pink Tax: $1.80

Keeping your skin hydrated with lotion is one of the best ways to reduce wrinkles and keep it soft and smooth. Women are known for having multiple types of lotions on their counters, each one with its own purpose. Men, on the other hand, are less likely to own more than one bottle lotion, if any at all. 

Lotion @Hip2Save / Twitter.com | @ChrisantCosmetics / Facebook.com

That makes you think: just how much do women end up spending on lotions every year? Now that you’re aware of the pink tax on these lotions, the amount is probably much more than you anticipated. There’s no reason for men’s Nivea, for example, which contains the exact same ingredients, to be nearly two dollars cheaper than the feminine equivalent bottle.

Product: Carter’s Onesie
Men’s Price: $6
Women’s Price: $8.80
Pink Tax: $2.80 

Parents love dressing their babies up in adorable clothing, especially in soft and comfortable onesies. The parents of both a girl and a boy will notice the pink tax earlier than some when they compare prices of the clothing they buy. A baby girl’s onesie from Carter’s can easily cost more than a boy’s onesie. 

Baby Onesies ©Borislav Bajkic / Shutterstock.com

There is no major difference in the way the onesies are made. In fact, there are plenty out there that could be worn by both boys and girls. However, because it’s already a precedent that women pay more for their products, clothing for little girls is more expensive than for little boys.

Product: Nike Socks
Men’s Price: $13
Women’s Price: $16
Pink Tax: $3 

Continuing the theme that women end up paying more for clothing, a women’s pair Nike socks will also cost a whopping $3 more per pair than the same sock in men’s. This is especially bizarre considering women’s socks are typically made with less fabric. 

Nike Socks ©andersphoto | ©Red Umbrella and Donkey/ Shutterstock.com

Some may argue that the price for women’s socks is higher because they’re sometimes made of a different material than the simple cotton socks a man usually wears. There are also different styles of socks for women like a no-show sock or a sock that can be worn with a pair of flat shoes.

Product: Dove Body Wash
Men’s Price: $5.99
Women’s Price: $8.99
Pink Tax: $3

It’s disturbing to think that women may be paying more for their showers than men do. Case in point: Dove’s body wash costs a shocking $3 more for women than the men’s brand. Granted, there are more options for women when it comes to choosing a body wash for her skin – but does that excuse the fact that the price is greater? 

Dove Body Wash @Darios / Shutterstock.com | @dianaelizabethblog / Twitter.com

Essentially, body wash from the same brand should have the same if not very similar ingredients. So why the markup on body wash made for women? While there isn’t a direct reason, it can be frustrating for women to know that they are paying more to clean their bodies than men. 

Product: Levi’s Straight-Cut Jeans
Men’s Price: $59.99
Women’s Price: $79.50
Pink Tax: $19.51

A good pair of jeans are known to be on the pricier side, especially when buying from a reputable brand like Levi’s. But once again, women’s jeans of the same size and style tends to be far more expensive than the same pair of straight-cut jeans for men.

Jeans ©sanneberg | ©Alena Ozerova / Shutterstock.com

Even though a pair of jeans for men and a pair of jeans for women from the same brand is most made from the same material, the women’s jeans have a higher price tag. And not a small one either; the price is nearly $20 more.

Product: Jimmy Choo Sneakers
Men’s Price: $475
Women’s Price: $550
Pink Tax: $75 

Designer shoes will always have a high price tag because of their reputation and symbolism in society. However, even when someone is ready to shell out the cash for them, women end up paying more for their designer shoes than men do. 

Designer Shoes @Jimmy Choo / Pinterest.com

But why the whopping $75 pink tax on a pair of women’s Jimmy Choos? It could be due to the different materials used and the variety of designs, or possibly the additional design time. But even this speculation doesn’t quite cover such a large price hike. 

Product: Huffy Bicycle
Men’s Price: $129.99
Women’s Price: $174.99
Pink Tax: $45

Little girls are exposed to the pink tax early in life, especially when it comes to buying a bicycle. For the most part, a child’s Huffy is pretty straight-forward: two wheels, a seat, frame, and a set of handlebars. There is no structural difference in the structure between bikes for a girl and a boy. 

Children's Bikes @ianyabeezph | @stlmommy1 / Twitter.com

The only difference there may be between a bike for a girl and a bike for a boy is the color scheme, or the addition of tinsel and pompoms. But does this explain the $45 price hike? Not by a mile. 

Product: Depend Incontinence Underwear
Men’s Price: $12.99
Women’s Price: $19.49
Pink Tax: $6.50

As men and women age, they sometimes lose control of some parts of their bodies. Some may be required to wear incontinence underwear. It’s nothing to be ashamed of and should be marketed equally to both genders. The only thing that should be shamed is the gaping price difference between men’s and women’s incontinence wear. 

Adult Incontinence Wear ©incontinenceproductsplus.com | @mylibertylife / Twitter.com

In the case of Depends, the women’s product is more expensive because there are more items in the package compared to the men’s. However, there is no smaller option for women, forcing them to buy more and spend more when they may not have to. 

Product: Old Navy Sweater
Men’s Price: $13.97
Women’s Price: $18
Pink Tax: $5.03

Sweaters are one of the most comfortable items of clothing you can wear during the fall and winter. Staying true with the trend that women’s clothing is more expensive than men’s, an Old Navy sweater is more than $5 cheaper if you’re buying a men’s edition.

Sweaters ©Viktoriia Hnatiuk | ©NinaMalyna / Shutterstock.com

Some may argue that this is because the style and fit need more time and attention to look good on a woman’s body. Others may argue that it’s solely for the profit of the company because they know women will buy more sweaters than men and accept paying more.