2025 WalletHub Study Reveals Hair Care Spending Trends Across the States
WalletHub Reveals 2025 Hair Care Spending Trends: New Jersey Tops the List for Savings
August 20, 2023 — In a revealing new study released by WalletHub, the personal finance website has ranked the states where residents spend the most and least on hair care services. The analysis, which compares average barbershop and salon prices to median household incomes across all 50 states, highlights significant disparities in hair care spending.
According to the findings, Pennsylvanians allocate approximately 1.42% of their income to hair care, placing the state 11th nationwide. New York follows closely, ranking 17th with 1.34%, while Massachusetts rounds out the top 20 at 1.31%.
In stark contrast, New Jersey residents enjoy the lowest hair care expenses relative to their income, spending just 0.75% of their earnings on haircuts and trims. The average cost of hair care in the Garden State is $63.10, making it a budget-friendly option for many.
Virginia closely trails New Jersey, landing in 49th place with 0.89% of household income spent on hair care. Connecticut and Maryland rank 31st and 25th, respectively, at 1.14% and 1.22%.
Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, noted, “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.”
The study also highlights a staggering trend: haircut prices have surged by approximately 75% over the past two decades. What once cost $20 in 2005 now averages around $35, prompting many to rethink their grooming budgets.
Barbara O’Neill, a distinguished professor emerita at Rutgers University, emphasized the importance of managing hair care expenses. “Hair care is a variable expense that can be reduced to free up money to save, reduce debt, and pay expenses that have increased as a result of inflation,” she stated.
To help mitigate costs, experts recommend strategies such as extending the time between haircuts, seeking out coupons, or even visiting student salons for more affordable services.
For those interested in exploring WalletHub’s full study and detailed rankings, click here.
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