How Much Do Jordans Cost?

Few sneakers ignite more fervor and passion than the iconic Air Jordan. But the complex release strategies, resale speculation, and secondary market dynamics make determining Jordan prices a challenge.

In this guide, we peel back the layers to reveal real-world Jordan costs. You’ll learn standard retail prices, resale market forces, historical price evolution, tips for finding deals, and predictions for the future. Whether you’re just starting your Jordan collection journey or are a seasoned expert, this pricing intel will help any sneakerhead.

How Much Do Jordans Cost?

The retail cost for new Air Jordans typically ranges from $170 to $250, while the resale market price usually starts between $200 to $600 and can reach over $2000 for rare collabs or exclusives, depending on model, colorway, hype, and availability factors. On average, buying popular Jordan models on the resale market costs 2-3 times more than the standard retail price.

Jordan Brand was launched in 1984 after Nike signed then-rookie basketball phenom Michael Jordan to a 5-year endorsement deal. The first Air Jordan shoe, the Jordan 1, debuted in 1985 and sparked a sneaker revolution.

Since then, Jordan Brand has become one of the most coveted names in footwear, driving a massive sneaker collecting subculture. Some key moments in its pricing history:

• 1985: The Air Jordan 1 “Chicago” releases at $65 retail
• 1991: The iconic “Concord” Jordan 11 debuts at $125
• 1997: Jordan Brand launches as a Nike subsidiary
• 2017: The Jordan 1 “Chicago Reimagined” re-release costs $160
• 2022: Top recent releases like the Jordan 4 “Infrared” hit $210 retail

Today Jordan Brand annual sales top $3 billion. Just as importantly, Jordan cemented sneaker culture and still influences streetwear of all types.

According to Sneaker Bar Detroit, upcoming releases for April 2025 include the Air Jordan 1 High OG Rare Air models priced at $180, the Jordan Luka 4 at $130, and the Air Jordan 3 “Metallic Silver” at $200. Premium options like the Air Jordan 5 OG “Grape” are priced at $210, while collaborative designs such as Swarovski x Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Stealth” reach $1,000.

On KICKS CREW, similar pricing is reported, with standard models like the Air Jordan 1 High OG priced around $180 and more exclusive designs like the Air Jordan 4 OG “White Cement” costing $225. They also highlight seasonal releases such as the Air Jordan 11 Low “Bred” priced at $190, reflecting a range of affordability based on design and demand.

According to Foot Locker, Jordans are available at various price points depending on size and style. For example, the Jordan AJ 3 Retro Tex is discounted from $200 to $139.99, while other models like the Jordan Spizike Low are priced at $160. Entry-level options like boys’ preschool Jordans start at $75, making them more accessible for younger audiences.

The article on The Shit Bot provides a comprehensive guide to Air Jordan prices in 2025. Classic models like the Jordan 1 Low are priced between $90 and $130, while high-top versions range from $180 to $200. Premium releases such as the Jordan 11 Patent Leather editions can reach up to $230, showcasing a wide spectrum of pricing influenced by hype and exclusivity.

Lastly, Sneaker News confirms that full family sizes for popular models like the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG retail for $180 for adults. This pricing aligns with industry standards for flagship releases.

What Is the Retail Price of Air Jordans?

Jordan Brand carefully controls supply and pricing strategies. Here are current typical retail prices for new releases:

• Air Jordan 1 High: $170-$180
• Air Jordan 4: $200-$210
• Air Jordan 11: $225
• Air Jordan 3: $175-$200

However, several factors impact exact retail pricing:

Adult vs. Youth Sizing

Adult sizes (7Y/7.5M and up) carry a higher retail price than youth or toddler sizes.

Premium Materials

Shoes using luxe leather, tech additions, or other elevated details command a higher MSRP.

Special Collaborations

Jordans co-designed with celebrities like Travis Scott or brands like Dior fetch premium pricing.

Despite rising costs, most Jordans still instantly sell out at retail.

Pricing for Kids’ and Youth Sizes

Jordan Brand also releases its iconic models in smaller sizes for kids and younger teens. Here are the typical pricing tiers:

Toddler Sizes (10C to 3Y): These average $60-$100 at retail for general release models. Given the limited resale demand, aftermarket prices may reach $120-$150.

Grade School Sizes (GS) (3.5Y to 7Y): Retail is usually $120-$160, with resale ranging from $140-$250 depending on popularity.

Big Kids (7Y to 7M): Pricing overlaps with adult sizes, so expect retail at $160-$180 and resale from $180-$300.

Preschool (10C to 10Y): As with toddler, retail is $60-$100 and resale no more than $120-$150.

Smaller sizes see lower retail costs partly due to cheaper materials. And kid-exclusive colorways don’t achieve adult-level hype. But classic colorways in GS can still hit adult pricing tiers.

Why Do Resale Jordans Cost More Than Retail?

Once a new Jordan quickly sells out at retail, the resale aftermarket takes over. Platforms like StockX, GOAT, Flight Club, and Stadium Goods allow buyers and sellers to freely determine market price based on supply and demand.

But what dynamics allow resale prices to routinely double, triple, or even 10x retail value? A few key economic factors:

Limited Supply – Even mass Jordan releases only fulfill a small fraction of total demand, creating instant scarcity.

Strategic Hype Marketing – Jordan Brand uses influencer seeding and other marketing to drive anticipation around the most coveted new drops.

Speculation and Future Valuation – Resellers anticipate rising value over time for certain models and colorways, further inflating market price.

Take the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Chicago Reimagined” from 2017. It retailed for $160 but immediately jumped to $600+ resale due to nostalgia and extreme scarcity.

Factors That Impact Jordan Values

There are endless variables that influence both the retail cost and resale value of any Air Jordan release. Some of the most important factors:

OG Status – The term “OG” refers to original colorways from 1985-1994. These achieve greater nostalgic hype. Others are considered retros.

Colorway Rarity – Jordans with brand new or rarely re-released color schemes gain more desirability and value. Returning OG colorways also rate higher.

Collaborations – Jordans co-designed by celebrities like Travis Scott or brands like Dior generate significant hype and demand.

Edition Scarcity – General Releases (GR) widely launch globally. But Quickstrikes (QS), Samples, and Friends & Family editions have extreme scarcity.

Condition – Deadstock condition (DS – brand new in box) carries a premium over used pairs. Box and extras also matter.

You might also like our articles about the cost of repairing or resoling your shoes.

How Jordan Prices Have Evolved

Jordan aftermarket values have slowly but steadily risen over decades. Looking at past retail vs. resale prices reveals the trend:

1985 – Air Jordan 1 debuts at $65 retail

1991 – Jordan 11 “Concord” retails at $125

1997 – Jordan 12 “Flu Game” at $135 retail

2011 – Jordan 3 “True Blue” retro at $160 retail

2015 – Jordan 1 “Chicago” retro at $160 retail

2017 – Jordan 1 “Bred Toe” at $160 retail

2020 – Jordan 4 “Off-White Sail” at $200 retail

2023 – Jordan 1 “Lost and Found” at $180 retail

As expected, inflation accounts for some of the increase. But speculation and booming global demand have largely powered the jumps in both retail and resale valuations. This steady appreciation helps explain why many collectors view coveted Jordans as investments.

Terminology to Understand

Given the complex dynamics of the Jordan marketplace, there is also special pricing terminology to know:

MSRP – Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price – the standard price before dynamic markups

Market – The trading value determined by actual buy and sell activity on resale platforms

Deadstock (DS) – Brand new, unworn condition with all original packaging and extras

VNDS – Very Near Deadstock – new with minimal flaws on inspection

GR – General Release – a mass-produced edition not limited in quantity

Collab – Short for “Collaboration” – a joint Jordan release with a celeb or brand

Quickstrike (QS) – A limited, premium Jordan launch in lower quantities

Raffle – A randomized allocation process used for limited launches.

This glossary helps decode listings and price discussions. Do your research before any purchase.

Where to Buy Jordans

Here are our top tips for securing new or used Jordans at the lowest costs:

Buy Retail: Enter every raffle and try to purchase at launch from SNKRS and retailers like Foot Locker.timing and persistence pay off.

Buy Resale: Compare Jordan listings and historical sales on GOAT, StockX, eBay, and Grailed to find deals. Bid rather than buy outright when possible.

Buy Used: Stadium Goods, Flight Club and local consignors often have great deals on used Jordans in excellent condition.

Buy Discounted: Retailers like Champs, Eastbay, and Shoe Palace run sales on older or less popular Jordan models.

Follow Restock Accounts Jordan restock monitors on Twitter and Discord provide valuable alerts for retail opportunities.

Time your purchases carefully and shop around. Resale prices fluctuate so be ready to jump on a bargain opportunity.

Price Comparisons

Here are current typical pricing tiers across the most sought-after Jordan franchises:

Air Jordan 1 High Pricing

Edition Type	Retail Price	Resale Range
General Release	$170-$180	$180-$300
Collaborations	$150-$200	$400-$2000+
Rare Colorways	$170-$180	$250-$600+

The Jordan 1 remains king – both abundant GR colorways and super exclusive collabs retain incredible value on the aftermarket.

Air Jordan 4 Pricing

Edition Type	Retail Price	Resale Range
General Release	$190-$210	$220-$280
Collaborations	$190-$200	$300-$1000
Rare Colorways	$190-$210	$300-$500

Jordan 4 doesn’t quite achieve the same hype as 1s but still sees high demand across categories from GRs to special editions.

Air Jordan 11 Pricing

Edition Type	Retail Price	Resale Range
General Release	$225	$240-$350
Collaborations	$225-$250	$600-$2000+
Rare Colorways	$225-$250	$400-$850

The Jordan 11 remains one of the most iconic silhouettes ever with amazing appreciation.

Are Jordans Worth the Cost?

Given the range of Jordan prices on both retail and resale markets, an obvious question emerges – are Air Jordans truly worth what they cost? The answer depends on your specific motivations and goals:

For Casual Style – GR colorways can provide iconic Jordan looks for retail price if you simply want to wear the shoes casually.

For Collecting – Most Jordan models hold value extremely well long-term and can be resold. Limited drops can appreciate exponentially in some cases.

For Investment – The rarest or most culturally impactful Jordans like certain Off-White collabs resell for thousands and become “grails” that keep rising.

For Performance – Modern tech gives new retro Jordans basketball functionality. But beware compromising collector value by wearing.

Depending on your budget, intent, and passion as a collector, Jordan costs may or may not align with the value you derive. Evaluate your motivations before any major pickup.

Expert Perspectives

We asked experienced sneaker collectors and industry experts for their advice on decoding Jordan prices:

“Remember that hype factors hugely into perceived value – don’t assume highly hyped drops are guaranteed to appreciate long-term,” notes Jay Washington, longtime Jordan collector.

“Buy what you love first and foremost, not just as an ‘investment.’ The culture matters more than dollar value,” reminds Felipe Lopez, Jordan historian and author.

“Trust resale data – not rumors or ‘sneaker investing’ hypebeasts. Look at actual market sales,” emphasizes Daria Ibrahim, economist and avid sneaker reseller.

“New releases almost always drop in price at some point. Have patience if you missed out on a sought after drop,” says Deon Davis, owner of Sneakerheadz Repeat boutique.

Final Words

We hope this guide provided helpful insights into the past, present and future costs of the greatest sneaker brand ever – Jordan.

For both new and experienced collectors, stay tapped into Jordan news and pricing trends to get the most from your investment. More coveted Jordans will release soon, giving you more chances to secure a pair!

Answers to Common Questions

Here are answers to common questions readers have about the costs and value of Air Jordans:

How much does it actually cost to make a Jordan?

Manufacturing costs per shoe are estimated around $30-$50 for materials and labor. The retail price accounts for additional costs like R&D, marketing, and brand margin.

How do you tell how much your Jordans are worth?

Check actual resale listings and sale prices on platforms like GOAT and StockX for the style, year, and condition to gauge current market value. Recent sales for your exact version are the best reference.

What percentage of shoe sales does Jordan get?

While the exact agreement is private, Jordan is estimated to earn around $150 million annually from Nike Jordan Brand royalties as well as a percentage of sales. Some reports estimate his cut is over 10%.