Chicago · Pricing · Updated July 2026
How much do nails cost in Chicago?
Typical Chicago ranges — downtown prices like the coasts, the neighborhoods considerably gentler, and a real seasonal swing the other cities we cover don't have. We refine these against published menus as our salon reviews complete.
The 2026 price table
Typical ranges across the North Side, West Loop and neighborhood belts. Gold Coast and River North trend toward the top of each range; Argyle, Chinatown and the Southwest Side toward the bottom.
| Service | Typical Chicago price | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Classic manicure | $22–40 | Polish brand, massage length |
| Gel manicure | $38–60 | Brand of gel, French/chrome add-ons |
| Russian (dry) manicure + gel | $70–115 | Tech's training, appointment length |
| Gel-X extensions (full set) | $75–135 | Length, shape, art |
| Acrylic full set | $50–105 | Length, sculpted vs. tips; fills $40–60 |
| Builder gel / BIAB overlay | $50–85 | Overlay vs. short extension |
| Classic pedicure | $32–50 | Massage time, callus work |
| Spa / deluxe pedicure | $50–85 | Scrubs, masks, extended massage |
| Nail art | $5–25 per nail | Hand-painting time, 3D details |
| Gel removal (with service) | $5–15 | Often waived with a new set |
Chicago’s price logic
- Downtown is coastal, the neighborhoods aren’t. A Gold Coast gel manicure prices like WeHo; the same service three miles northwest in Logan Square runs $15–20 less from equally skilled hands.
- Winter is the deal season. January–March is when booked-out artists have openings and salons run quiet — the best time all year to start a custom-set relationship.
- Summer is the pedicure crunch. The sandal window is short and the whole city knows it — book pedicures ahead from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and expect spa tiers to run full.
Cost-per-week: the honest way to compare
A $40 gel manicure that lasts 12 days costs about $23 a week. An $85 Russian manicure worn 4 weeks costs about $21 a week — with cleaner grow-out the whole time. Long-wear services usually win the math; our Russian manicure guide explains why they last.
Tipping in Chicago
18–20% is standard, cash preferred by most techs. For multi-hour custom art, tip on the full value of the time.
The curated Chicago salon directory is in active research — nominate a favorite and we'll add it to the review sweep.