Acrylic Nail Prices: A Guide to the Cost of Acrylic Nails

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Thinking about getting acrylics?

We can’t blame you. After all, the durability, versatility, and allure of these nails have made them extremely popular among countless nail enthusiasts. 

Apart from these impressive qualities, many consider acrylic nails the ultimate lifesaver, especially those with short nails who want extra length. 

But one of the first things that’ll likely pop into your mind when considering acrylic nails is its price. 

Manicurist with a nail file doing a french manicure on acrylic nails

So how much do acrylics cost? What is the average acrylic nail price? 

Knowing the answer to this is extremely crucial to setting a budget for your manicure and deciding how much you’re willing to spend for a particular length or design. 

So if you want to indulge in this particular self-care treatment, keep reading!

This article will thoroughly discuss the details of the cost of acrylic nails.

Average Price of Acrylic Nails

Acrylic nails are artificial nails or artificial nail enhancements made from a mixture of liquid monomer and powder polymer.

They can be used to achieve different designs with various colors. 

Because they’re so attractive, getting acrylics for your nails is beyond tempting. But before you get them, you might ask the question, “How much is a full set of acrylic nails?” 

Here’s the answer: On average, acrylic nails cost between $20 and $80

This price range reflects what most nail technicians will charge for a simple set of acrylic nails.  

If you want to add more complex designs or accessories to your nails, you can expect the price of your full acrylic nail set to go up to anywhere between $45 and $120

Take note that how much salons charge for a full set of acrylic nails varies greatly. Your salon may put a cheaper or a heftier price tag on acrylic nails based on several factors. 

We’ll discuss what the factors are as you keep reading.

Factors Affecting Acrylic Nail Prices

So why do prices for acrylic nails vary?

This is because manicurists consider several factors when it comes to offering their acrylic nail services at certain prices.  

Here are some of the factors that affect acrylic nail prices and influence your overall bill: 

Reputation of Your Nail Salon

The acrylic nail prices at a salon have much to do with its reputation. 

If it has a favorable reputation, the salon is set apart from its competitors, which leads to an increased demand for its services. 

As a result, salons can reasonably justify charging higher prices for their services. 

A woman getting her nails done in a salon with a nail tech wearing black face mask

Type of Nail Salon

Remember that there are different types of nail salons, including traditional full-service salons, specialty salons, home salons, and more. 

They may all offer great services, but some may charge more than others. 

For example, salons specializing in acrylic nails may use higher-quality equipment and more expensive acrylic brands, so they may charge more for acrylic nails that exceed the average price for acrylic nails. 

Home salons, on the other hand, charge as much as traditional salons. 

Location of Your Nail Salon

Your nail salon’s location will also largely dictate how much it charges for its services. 

So how much are acrylic nails on average in certain states? 

Take a look at the table below showing how much acrylic nails can cost based on location:

LocationEstimated Acrylic Nail Prices
New York$35 to $60
California$35 to $100
Florida$40 to $60
Washington$60 to $75
Texas$40 to $70
Ohio $20 to $40
Hawaii$55 to $80
Virginia $35 to $75
New Jersey$40 to $80
Georgia$35 to $60
Pennsylvania $30 to $80
Massachusetts $35 to $80
Illinois $40 to $80
Michigan$35 to $75
Utah$40 to $50
Montana $40 to $60
Minnesota$40 to $50
Connecticut$25 to $75
Nevada $45 to $75
Rhode Island $45 to $80

Looking at the table above, the cost of getting acrylic nails is also largely determined by the area’s average cost of living, which affects the prices of the materials and equipment and rent and utilities. 

So salons in densely populated cities with a high cost of living may have higher prices for acrylic nails. 

On the contrary, salons in small towns with a lower cost of living may charge lower nail price rates because they have to appeal to a smaller number of clients and ensure they keep coming back for their services.  

However, the correlation between higher cost of living and higher acrylic nail prices isn’t a hard and fast rule. 

For instance, salons in busy cities like New York may face stiff competition, which could lead them to drive prices down to attract and retain a loyal customer base despite the high cost of rent, utilities, and materials.

Meanwhile, in smaller cities, salons may be able to charge premium prices if there isn’t a lot of local competition, especially if they focus on providing luxury nail services.

Experience of Your Nail Technician

Every nail tech is different. Some are just starting in this field or have a few years of experience, while others have become experts in the industry.

Generally, beginner nail techs have more affordable rates. They do this since they’re just starting out. 

They’re still establishing their nail services and ultimately acquiring a loyal following among their clients. 

However, as they gain more experience and improve their work over time, they’ll be much likelier to charge higher prices for their services.

Length, Shape, and Design of Your Acrylics

An important factor that will determine how much you shell out for your acrylic nails is your desired length, shape, and design.

As you may have already expected, longer nails will typically cost more than shorter ones because nail techs will need more time and more acrylic products to give you longer acrylic nails. 

The prices of longer nails can range from $50 to $120, as opposed to short acrylic nails that cost only around $20 to $100.

The shape is also a factor. Basic nail shapes like round, oval, and square are more affordable at an approximate starting price of $20. 

However, stiletto, coffin, ballerina, and almond shapes are priced at a premium. Your nail tech may charge an extra $10 for these shapes since they can be time-consuming. 

Additionally, you may ask, “How much do acrylic nails with designs cost?”

Generally, nail techs may charge an additional $5 to $15+ to your bill per design, depending on its complexity. 

Prices of Acrylic Nail Fills

Getting a full set of acrylics differs from getting an acrylic fill

An acrylic nail fill refers to applying acrylic product near the cuticle to cover the regrowth of your natural nails. 

On average, acrylic nail fill prices are around $20 to $80.

You’ll have to get nail fills every two to three weeks for six to eight weeks, so it’s also important to consider this when setting a budget for acrylic nails.  

a close-up image of a woman receiving acrylic nails at a nail salon

Additional Costs for Different Acrylic Nail Services

You can avail of other acrylic nail-related services besides getting a full set or a fill. 

Usually, clients with acrylic nails may come back to the salon for the following reasons:

  • Repair of damaged acrylic nails
  • Change of nail color 
  • Change of nail shape 
  • Change of nail designs
  • Removal of acrylic nails

If your issue is a broken or chipped nail acrylic, the usual added cost for repair would be $3 to $10 per nail, so make sure you take care of your nails.

The cost may vary based on the factors listed above regarding acrylic nail pricing. 

For the nail color change, you may have to pay $8 to $45, depending on the look you’re going for. 

As for the nail shape change, your manicurist may charge lower or higher than $10. It all depends on the nail shape you want and how time-consuming the process will be. 

Meanwhile, each additional acrylic nail design costs around $5 to $15. 

And to remove acrylic nails, you’ll likely pay around $10 to $30. 

Money-Saving Tips To Follow When Getting Acrylic Nails

Acrylic nails can vary in price; they can either be affordable or expensive depending on different factors that come into play. 

And if you think that’s where the spending ends, frequently getting them changed or repaired would obviously mean shelling out more. 

If you want to stick to your budget or cut costs regarding your acrylic nails, here are some money-saving tips you can follow:

1. Prepare your nails for application. If you have painted nails, make sure you remove your nail polish at home with acetone or an acetone-free polish remover.

This way, your nail tech will no longer have to do this step themselves and consequently charge you extra. 

2. Focus on the aftercare of your acrylics. Remember to take good care of your acrylic nails to prevent them from breaking off or getting damaged.

For instance, wear gloves when working with your hands (such as while gardening or washing your dishes) to avoid exposing your acrylics to moisture or dirt that can weaken them.

3. Carefully decide what acrylic nails you want. The cost to remove acrylic nails can be significant if you find yourself unhappy with the color or design you initially chose, so make sure to take time before deciding on a final design. 

4. Discuss your budget with your nail tech. Before you get anything done with your nails, talk to your nail tech about your budget to see which nail shapes, lengths, and designs they can offer within the price range you mention. 

Keeping your acrylics simple, like opting for round and square nails and uncomplicated nail designs, is the way to cut costs.

Acrylic Nail Prices vs. Other Types of Nail Enhancements 

Now that you know how much acrylics are, you might be wondering how much other manicure types cost. 

To give you an idea, here’s a guide to the average prices of other nail enhancement types:

Artificial Nail TypeEstimated Price
PolyGel nails$40 to $120
Acrylic nails$20 to $120
Gel nails$35 to $80
Dip powder nails$20 to $80
Press-on nails$20 to $40
Nail wraps$8 to $15

Based on the table above, PolyGel nails are the most expensive.

Not only do they use pricey materials, but applying them also takes longer and requires a higher skill level. 

Gel nails have a more costly starting price than acrylics. Gel nails need UV or LED lamps, which adds to their overall price. 

Meanwhile, dip powder nails tend to have a price similar to acrylics, although they last only around three to six weeks.

As for press-on nails, their prices may vary based on the intricacy of the nail art and the cost of materials used. Typically, these are more affordable than acrylics. 

Lastly, the cheapest nails are nail wraps.

These are made of cheap, lightweight materials, like vinyl or foil, and they require no equipment for application.

A woman's nails are decorated with colorful acrylic designs with white base.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does Maintaining Acrylic Nails Cost?

Acrylic nails last six to eight weeks and may require a fill every two to three weeks. 

When cared for properly, acrylic nail maintenance may only cost you $30 to $70, a budget covering your two needed fills for the entire duration of your acrylics. 

How much you’ll spend maintaining your acrylic nails depends on their quality too. 

If they’re not applied properly, you might have to make several visits to your salon to remove your acrylic nails or get repairs done, making you spend more than expected. 

Do DIY Acrylic Nails Save You Money?

DIY acrylic nails will certainly save you money, but that is if you have already mastered the art of doing the process. But do note that improper application can be harmful.

You may have to invest in various nail brushes and products, like liquid monomer and acrylic powder. 

Fortunately, you can now buy acrylic nail kits online and ace your manicure at home. 

However, you must learn to do acrylic nails first to make the most out of your resources instead of purchasing new kits frequently to make up for mistakes.  

Do Acrylic Nails Damage Your Natural Nail?

Acrylic nails should not damage your natural nail bed.

Your nails should maintain their health as long as your nails are well-prepped, the acrylics are applied properly, and the aftercare routine is done. 

Conversely, poor acrylic nail application and removal can seriously hurt your nails.

Get More Bang for Your Buck With Your Acrylic Nails

Indulging in a full set of acrylics is a popular way to elevate your personal style.

Standard acrylic nails are already stunning, but you can try out more designs, shapes, and colors — it’s your pick. 

Maintaining your alluring acrylics is also budget-friendly, but depending on your taste, the price may skyrocket based on the specific look you’re going for.

On another note, you can also do your acrylic nails at home since this may be a great option if you want to save money.  

However, we recommend you let a professional do it if you’re unsure how to properly execute the necessary steps of putting acrylic products on your nails. 

This way, you will get not only eye-popping acrylic nails but also have the confidence that your natural nails won’t get damaged once the acrylics are removed.

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Authors

  • Hannah
  • Jasmine Moore

    Jasmine Moore, a licensed nail technician with 3 years of expertise, offers specialized services in Acrylic, Gel X, and Dip Powder applications. Trained by Lena Fam and a graduate of NexGen Nails and Beauty School, Jasmine's accolades include nominations for "Best New Nail Tech" (2021) and "Best Nail Artist" (2023). As the founder of Jazzy Belle Beauty she stays updated on the latest nail trends.

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