Portland · Pricing · Updated July 2026
How much do nails cost in Portland?
Typical Portland ranges — moderate Pacific Northwest pricing, a little below Seattle, with no sales tax added at the register. We refine these against published menus as our salon reviews complete.
The 2026 price table
Typical ranges across the city. The Pearl, northwest Portland and the appointment-only artist studios trend toward the top of each range; Beaverton, Aloha and the outer neighborhoods toward the bottom.
| Service | Typical Portland price | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Classic manicure | $24–40 | Polish brand, massage length |
| Gel manicure | $42–62 | Brand of gel, French/chrome add-ons |
| Russian (dry) manicure + gel | $72–120 | Tech's training, appointment length |
| Gel-X extensions (full set) | $70–135 | Length, shape, art |
| Acrylic full set | $52–105 | Length, sculpted vs. tips; fills $38–60 |
| Builder gel / BIAB overlay | $52–88 | Overlay vs. short extension |
| Classic pedicure | $35–55 | Massage time, callus work |
| Spa / deluxe pedicure | $55–90 | 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 |
Portland’s price logic
- No sales tax. Oregon adds nothing at the register, so the menu price is the price — a genuine few percent versus Seattle or California.
- Independent is the default. Portland’s scene skews heavily toward solo artists and small studios, which means booking ahead and following a specific tech rather than a salon name.
- Non-toxic salons are a real category. Better ventilation, low-odor systems and "free-from" polish lines cluster here at a density we have not seen in any other market.
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 Portland
18–20% is standard, cash appreciated. For multi-hour custom art with an independent artist, tip on the full value of the time.
The curated Portland salon directory is in active research — nominate a favorite and we'll add it to the review sweep.