Head-to-head shoe price comparisons
Which shoes got pricier faster, and how shoes did against clothing and against inflation in general.
Shoes vs inflation, 1970–2025
+157% vs +729%
Shoes rose faster than all items in only 6 of 55 years.
Men’s vs women’s, 1978–2025
+97% vs +63%
Men’s shoes rose faster in 28 of 47 years, a total gap of 34.7 points.
Since 1978Men’s vs women’s shoe prices
Men’s shoes +97% · Women’s shoes +63% · Men’s ahead in 28 of 47 years
Since 1970Shoe prices vs overall inflationAll footwear +157% · All items (overall inflation) +729% · All ahead in 6 of 55 years
Since 1970Shoes vs clothing pricesAll footwear +157% · Clothing (apparel) +122% · All ahead in 33 of 55 years
Since 1978Kids’ vs adults’ shoe pricesBoys’ and girls’ shoes +110% · Men’s shoes +97% · Boys’ ahead in 25 of 47 years