At Ann Taylor and Express, both women's clothing stores, Structure, Express' male counterpart, and Aldo shoe store the prices are also same regardless of location.

As at the music stores, managers at the chain stores said prices tend to be the same across a city, if not the nation, due to corporate policy.

Our Daily Bread

But several chain food stores break the trend of consistent prices in the Square.

At Porter Square, for example, one Dunkin' Donuts donut costs $0.57. At the Harvard Square location on Mass. Ave., it costs $0.67. A No. 1 Value Meal--two donuts and a medium coffee--costs $1.99 at Porter; at Harvard Square, $2.63. As for coffee, in Harvard Square, a medium cafe blend is $1.50; at Porter, $1.29.

Students looking for something a little more upscale might visit their local Pho Pasteur for some Vietnamese cuisine. But at the local Dunster Street branch, several items chosen at random are more expensive than at the Washington Street location in Boston, Pasteur II.

Two spring rolls in Boston cost about 20 percent less than at the Square location.

Curried chicken with vegetables is 40 percent cheaper, and lemongrass tofu is 27 percent less expensive.

Van T. Che, manager at the Harvard location, acknowledges the price difference.

"The reason the prices are different is that prices in Harvard Square are generally higher," he says. "We are also in a shopping complex, so that is probably why."

The good news is that students craving dessert or an after-dinner jolt of java can enter Herrell's Ice Cream and Starbucks in the Square and it won't make a difference. A scoop of ice cream or a latte cost the same at the heart of Boston's Newbury Street as it does right outside the Yard.

Mom, Pop and Price

While prices among chains are generally the same inside the Square and out, there is truth to the myth that Harvard's stores are more expensive than their competitors outside the Square.

For example, prices at Rigs hardware store in Porter Square are significantly lower than at Dickson Bros. Hardware on Eliot Street in Harvard Square. A Black & Decker Dustbuster costs $39.99 at Dickson Bros. while at Rigs, the same item costs $32.99. A standard Masterlock costs 4.89 at Dickson Bros. compared to $3.99 at Rigs.

This price difference applies to foodstuffs as well. The Star Market at Porter Square is much less costly than Sage's on the corner of Church and Brattle Street. A box of Tiger Woods Wheaties at Star Market is $2 flat; at Sage's the "Breakfast of Champions" costs $2.99. Finally, Spicy Nacho Doritos at Star Market are $1.79, a full $0.40 cheaper than at Sage's.