New York · Pricing · Updated July 2026
How much do nails cost in New York?
Typical New York ranges — the widest spread of any city we cover, from corner-salon staples to appointment-only ateliers. We refine these against published menus as our salon reviews complete.
The 2026 price table
Typical ranges across the boroughs. SoHo, Nolita and brownstone Brooklyn trend toward the top of each range; Queens, Harlem and the corner-salon tier toward the bottom.
| Service | Typical New York price | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Classic manicure | $15–35 | Polish brand, massage length |
| Gel manicure | $35–70 | Brand of gel, French/chrome add-ons |
| Russian (dry) manicure + gel | $80–140 | Tech's training, appointment length |
| Gel-X extensions (full set) | $80–160 | Length, shape, art |
| Acrylic full set | $50–120 | Length, sculpted vs. tips; fills $40–70 |
| Builder gel / BIAB overlay | $55–95 | Overlay vs. short extension |
| Classic pedicure | $30–55 | Massage time, callus work |
| Spa / deluxe pedicure | $55–100 | Scrubs, masks, extended massage |
| Nail art | $5–30 per nail | Hand-painting time, 3D details |
| Gel removal (with service) | $5–20 | Often waived with a new set |
New York’s price logic
- The spread is the story. The same gel manicure legitimately spans 4× across the city — and the $25 corner salon and the $70 studio are both fair prices for what they are. Decide what you’re buying before you book.
- Japanese gel art is its own category. The SoHo ateliers price per nail, book weeks out, and produce work no walk-in salon can match — treat it as commissioning art, because that’s what it is.
- Queens is the value borough. Flushing and Jackson Heights deliver Manhattan-grade skill at half the bill — the best-kept non-secret in New York nails.
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 New York
20% is standard in the city, cash strongly preferred at corner salons — many are cash-only for tips. For per-nail art at the ateliers, tip on the full value of the set.
The curated New York salon directory is in active research — nominate a favorite and we'll add it to the review sweep.