To identify where hair care is the most and least affordable, WalletHub compared the cost of men's barbershop haircuts and women's beauty salon visits in all 50 states against each state's median household income.
| Highest % of Income Spent | Lowest % of Income Spent | |
| 1. Arkansas (1.63%) | 41. Hawaii (1.12%) | |
| 2. North Carolina (1.61%) | 42. Indiana (1.11%) | |
| 3. Mississippi (1.58%) | 43. Colorado (1.09%) | |
| 4. New Mexico (1.55%) | 44. Nevada (1.08%) | |
| 5. Florida (1.51%) | 45. North Dakota (1.08%) | |
| 6. Kentucky (1.51%) | 46. Nebraska (1.05%) | |
| 7. Pennsylvania (1.51%) | 47. Utah (0.98%) | |
| 8. California (1.51%) | 48. Minnesota (0.98%) | |
| 9. Illinois (1.48%) | 49. New Jersey (0.97%) | |
| 10. West Virginia (1.48%) | 50. Virginia (0.89%) | |
To view the full report and your state’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/
“In the most expensive states, it can cost around 1.6% of the median household income for a man and a woman to each get a trim. While that might not seem like an overly high percentage, it’s still a lot when you consider how many other inflated expenses people need to cram into their monthly budgets.”
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“Arkansas has the most expensive haircuts relative to what residents earn. Purchasing a men’s barbershop haircut and a women’s shampoo, trim and blow-dry in Arkansas costs an average of $82.66, which is 1.63% of the state’s median monthly household income, the highest percentage in the country. For comparison, the same services would cost Virginia residents just 0.89% of their income – the lowest percentage.”
- Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst
Expert Commentary
What tips do you have to help people avoid overspending on hair care?
“In a beauty industry filled with expensive salon treatments and influencer-driven products, it’s easy to overspend on hair care. But the truth is, healthy, beautiful hair doesn’t require a luxury budget. With thoughtful choices and a little discipline, you can cut costs without compromising results. Many consumers fall into the trap of buying too many products – shampoos, masks, serums – without really understanding what their hair needs. According to recent CivicScience tracking data, an overwhelming majority of traditional salon-goers have shifted their habits, with close to half scaling back salon visits due to rising costs and economic pressures, opting for simpler DIY and at-home care instead. Focusing on a few core products tailored to your hair type can go a long way… You can save significantly by stretching the time between salon visits. Low-maintenance styles, deep conditioning at home, and root touch-up sprays can keep your hair looking fresh without frequent appointments. Choose products that do double duty – like a leave-in conditioner that detangles, hydrates, and protects from heat. Also, small daily choices – like washing less often and using silk pillowcases – can help preserve your style and prevent damage, reducing the need for costly repairs.”
Andrew Burnstine, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Lynn University
“Many people consider hair care a very important part of the human body, thus spending money on hair and hair products is nothing new. One can consider buying products for hair using internet sites, like Amazon, where prices are in some cases lower than in the regular stores. Many producers have their own websites, and if one subscribes to them, they can receive numerous discounts over the time. The same goes for actual hair styles and cuts. For example, Great Clips, a large chain of hair-cut locations, offers discounts to its members.”
Dr. Miren Ivankovic – Professor, Anderson University
How important is budgeting when it comes to saving money on hair care?
“Budgeting is crucial for saving money on hair care, as it helps consumers make informed, intentional choices rather than falling victim to impulse purchases or marketing trends. According to recent consumer expenditure studies, personal care and grooming costs remain a significant household line item, with appearance budgets averaging nearly $900 annually and routine hair product expenditures running around $31 per month. Without a clear budget, it’s easy to overspend on salon visits, premium shampoos, and trendy treatments that may not be necessary or effective. One often overlooked strategy for staying within budget is turning to friends or family members who are licensed professionals or experienced in hair and nail care. Many people have someone in their circle who is a skilled stylist, colorist, or nail technician, and leveraging their expertise can result in substantial savings. Whether it’s a trim, a root touch-up, or a deep conditioning treatment, getting help from someone you trust can be far more affordable than repeated salon visits. Establishing a monthly or quarterly hair care budget encourages consumers to prioritize essentials, compare product values, and plan salon appointments more strategically.”
Andrew Burnstine, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Lynn University
“That depends on how much one really cares about their hair and its care. For most males, simple hair cuts and some gels is all it takes. Thus, some budgeting is not that important, but for others, and mainly females, spending on hair care is significant, thus budgeting might be in order. Based on one's income levels, a certain budget should be established, for say, monthly expenditures on hair care.”
Dr. Miren Ivankovic – Professor, Anderson University
How is the current social and economic environment influencing household spending on hair care?
“In today’s uncertain economy, many households are reassessing their everyday spending, including hair care. As prices rise, people are learning to simplify their routines and focus on what truly works for their hair and their budget. Salon visits are becoming less frequent, with more people opting for low-maintenance styles and affordable at-home alternatives. Instead of spending on every new trend or product, consumers are investing in a few reliable essentials – often drugstore finds with clean, effective ingredients. It’s a shift toward quality over quantity and long-term value over short-term indulgence. Another important shift is the growing reliance on family, friends, and cultural traditions. Many people are turning to loved ones for trims, styles, and hair care advice.”
Andrew Burnstine, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Lynn University
“I do not think hair care is a large percent of most individual and family budgets, so inflation or unemployment do not influence those decisions, like buying a car or a house. However, people like to follow the new trends and with social media and constant changes, the demand for new hair products is increasing.”
Dr. Miren Ivankovic – Professor, Anderson University
Tips for Saving Money on Hair Care
- Wait an extra week. Hair grows pretty slowly, so chances are waiting one additional week in between haircuts won’t change your appearance that dramatically. Over the course of the year, this could save you the cost of a couple visits.
- Look for coupons. Your local salon or barbershop might offer coupons on their websites or in local newspapers or ad mailings.
- Budget properly. When you make your budget, you can set aside money for regular hair maintenance in the “needs” portion of your budget, which comes first, as long as it doesn’t mean you sacrifice anything more essential. However, luxury services such as hair coloring, perms, or other expensive add-ons should be added last when you’re assigning any remaining income for your “wants.” If you can’t afford a luxury service, don’t buy it until you’ve saved enough.
- Get your hair cut by students. People training to become hair stylists need people to practice on, and student salons can offer much cheaper services than professionals. The caveat is that you might be rolling the dice on how it looks.
- Cut it yourself. It’ll take some practice to get good, but plenty of people cut and style their own hair. The investment of your time now will pay dividends in the future when you don’t have to pay a barber or hairdresser.
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