[pearlieq]

My general opinion is that it costs more to be a woman, but ONLY due to biology.

In every other sense, I would say that each is as expensive as you make it.

I think basic clothing costs are about the same for men and women. A pair of pants, shirt, socks, shoes, and undergarments costs pretty much the same for a man and a woman. I guess a bra costs more than an undershirt, but to me the difference is negligible in the grand scheme of things.

I suppose men usually have to pay a bit more for food than women, but if an active young woman needs 2200 calories a day and an active young man needs 2600, I don't see the cost of 400 calories/day being very significant with how cheap food is in our society.

Basic grooming costs are the same as well. Regular soap, shampoo, and Q-Tips are genderless. A simple haircut costs the same for either gender (at least at the place I go).

Costs rocket for either gender when you start going beyond the basics. But that's all discretionary and not specifically tied to gender.

The only place where I really see a difference between men and women that isn't subject to discretion and personal preferences is biology.

Most women have to deal with a monthly cycle for 40 years, and that always costs something. Women have to deal with medical costs for the care and monitoring of their bits, which men don't really incur. Women have the babies, which costs a fortune in medical care and temporary inability to work.