Direct answer
Cost Cutters vs Ulta Beauty Salon: budget $18–$73.97 per service. Anything below $18 in the documented set is an add-on or a partial service rather than a full appointment, and anything above $73.97 comes down to an extended or premium booking.
Two things decide what you actually pay for men's haircut: which tier of provider performs it, and which add-ons are treated as standard rather than optional at that location.
- Working range
- $18–$73.97
- U.S. market midpoint
- $43 per cut
- Basis
- 4 price points documented from official sources
- Last reviewed
- August 2026
Before you read on
- $18–$73.97 is the working range for Cost Cutters vs Ulta Beauty Salon, from 4 documented amounts.
- The full documented set spans $11–$73.97 once fees and add-ons are counted.
- The U.S. national median for men's haircut is $43 per cut.
- Add about 26% to any menu price for sales tax and gratuity.
- Maintained every 4 weeks, the annual cost is around $671.
- The largest single variable is shampoo and blow-dry — almost always a separate charge at value chains.
What the brand actually publishes
These 4 lines come from published sources and are grouped by what they actually are. Folding fees into a service list is how misleading "average" figures come about, so they are listed on a separate line.
| Line | Published | Midpoint | Spread | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compatible national numeric amount | $18–$32 | $25 | $14 | Use the selected location or provider’s current booking menu |
| Adult haircut | $34.99 | $34.99 | — | Cost Cutters — Dillon CO |
| Haircut, shampoo and blowout | $73.97 | $73.97 | — | Cost Cutters — Dillon CO; Cost Cutters |
| Line | Published | Midpoint | Spread | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strip lash add-on | $11 | $11 | — | Ulta Beauty Salon |
One location's price is not evidence of a national rate. Check with the location you intend to book.
How this compares with the wider U.S. market
None of these figures belongs to a brand on this page. They describe the wider market, which is what you need in order to judge a quote rather than just accept it.
| Service | Market low | National median | Market high | Unit | What drives it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's haircut | $18 | $43 | $75 | per cut | Barbershop and men's-chain cuts; clipper work only sits at the low end. |
| Women's haircut | $28 | $69 | $140 | per cut | Usually includes consultation, shampoo and a finish style. |
| Kids' haircut | $15 | $27 | $45 | per cut | Under-12 pricing; some chains cap the age at 10. |
| Buzz / clipper cut | $12 | $22 | $38 | per cut | Single-guard clipper cut with no scissor work. |
| Wash & blowout | $35 | $55 | $95 | per service | Wash and style; length and thickness drive the top end. |
| Gloss / toner | $30 | $55 | $95 | per service | Demi-permanent refresh, regularly added to a cut. |
Compiled national figures for context only. No brand on this page has published these numbers, and none of them is a bookable rate.
What men's haircut costs in your metro tier
Before deciding a quote is high, check it against your own market rather than the national number. A $64 quote is expensive in a tier-4 market and unremarkable in tier 1.
| Market tier | Planning range | Multiplier | Example markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 - highest-cost metros | $58–$75 | 1.35–1.75× | Manhattan, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, Washington DC, Miami Beach |
| Tier 2 - large metros | $47–$57 | 1.10–1.32× | Chicago, Los Angeles suburbs, Denver, Austin, Atlanta, San Diego, Portland |
| Tier 3 - mid-size metros | $40–$47 | 0.94–1.10× | Columbus, Kansas City, Charlotte, Nashville, Phoenix, Indianapolis |
| Tier 4 - small metro and rural | $30–$40 | 0.70–0.93× | Smaller cities, county seats and rural markets |
Bands scale the $43 national median by published metro cost multipliers. Planning ranges, not quotes.
Six things that decide what you pay
Ranking these matters. Nearly everyone compare the headline price of two salons and ignore the next few lines below it that actually decide the bill.
- Coupon or app offersaves $3–$10
Chain apps run recurring offers that beat the walk-in rate.
- Stylist tier+$5–$15
Some value chains price senior stylists above the base cut.
- Shampoo and blow-dry+$6–$18
Nearly always a separate charge at value chains.
- Franchise location+10–35%
Each owner sets a local menu inside a corporate band.
- Beard or neck clean-up+$5–$15
Small add-ons that quietly lift the ticket.
Related cost breakdowns: Supercuts vs Cost Cutters, Cost Cutters vs Regis Salons and Cost Cutters vs Hair Cuttery.
The booking script, word for word
You do not need to negotiate. You need the price to be stated before the service starts. These questions do that without any awkwardness.
- "Is a shampoo, blow-dry or finish included in that price, or billed on a separate line?"
- "What is your cancellation window, and what is the charge if I miss it?"
- "Are taxes added at checkout, and do you have a card-payment surcharge?"
- "Do you take a deposit, and does it come off the final balance?"
- "Which provider tier is that quote for, and what does the next tier up cost?"
- "Is removal of my existing product included, or is it a separate charge?"
- "Is there a first-visit offer or a package rate I should know about?"
Then do one thing at checkout: ask for an itemised receipt. If a line appears that you were not told about, that is the moment to raise it — not after you have left.
The realistic total, worked through
This is the gap that surprises people. Starting from a $43 base, here is where the money goes by the time the card is out.
| Line | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Base service | $43 | The line you see on the menu |
| One typical add-on | $9 | Accepted at the chair without a stated price |
| Subtotal | $52 | Before tax and gratuity |
| Sales tax at 7.7% | $4 | Varies by state and city; services are taxable in some states only |
| Gratuity at 22% | $11.44 | Calculated on the service, not on tax |
| Realistic total | $67.44 | 57% above the menu price |
Worked at a $43 base with one add-on. Swap in your own quote and the proportions hold.
Takeaway: budget $67 when the board says $43. The difference is $24.
You can try it with your own figures rather than doing this by hand.
What men's haircut costs you over annually
The per-visit price hides the real decision. At every 4 weeks, this service costs about $671 a year including gratuity if you pay national median rates.
| Provider level | Per visit | Visits/yr | Service spend | Gratuity | Annual total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget provider | $18 | 13 | $234 | $47 | $281 |
| National median | $43 | 13 | $559 | $112 | $671 |
| Premium provider | $75 | 13 | $975 | $195 | $1,170 |
Assumes 13 visits annually. Adjust the visit count and every figure here moves with it.
The lever most people reach for - switching salons - is generally the weakest one. Moving from the $43 median to the $18 budget end saves $390 per year, but so does just stretching the interval by a quarter.
Tipping: the numbers rather than the etiquette
Percentages are hard to judge in the moment. These are the dollar amounts at the low, middle and high end of the national range.
| Gratuity rate | On $18 | On $43 | On $75 | When it applies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15% | $2.70 | $6.45 | $11.25 | Standard for a satisfactory service |
| 18% | $3.24 | $7.74 | $13.50 | Common default in mid-size and large metros |
| 20% | $3.60 | $8.60 | $15 | Typical for a stylist you intend to rebook with |
| 25% | $4.50 | $10.75 | $18.75 | Reserved for complex colour, long appointments or a rescue job |
- Tip the same on a redo as on the original if the redo was not the provider's fault - and speak to management rather than the provider if it was.
- Salons that add an automatic service charge should say so when you book. Spot one on the bill, ask whether it reaches the provider before adding more.
- A tip is for the work performed, not for the price you were charged. Do not penalise a provider for a menu they did not set.
- Holiday tipping is a separate norm from per-visit tipping and is usually a one-off larger amount.
What people get wrong here
Listed by how commonly they occur rather than dollar impact. All of them are solved at the booking stage.
- 1Missing app-only couponscosts $3–$12
Standing digital offers routinely beat the counter price.
- 2Expecting a blow-dry with the cutcosts $6–$18
Nearly always a separate line at value chains.
- 3Not asking about stylist tiercosts $5–$15
Some value chains charge more for senior stylists.
If you want the policy detail behind these: How To Compare Salon Prices and How To Cancel A Beauty Membership.
Where else to look
The number alone seldom decides it. Compare scope first — what is actually included — and only then the price.
Common questions, answered with numbers
What does Cost Cutters vs Ulta Beauty Salon cost in 2026?
The working range is $18–$73.97, drawn from 4 published amounts. 3 of those are core services; the rest are add-ons, memberships or fees that should not be averaged in. The median documented line is $34.99.
Is there a price for strip lash add-on?
$11. Ulta Beauty Salon. Expect around $14 once tax and gratuity are added, where gratuity applies.
How much is compatible national numeric amount?
$18 at the low end, $32 at the top. Use the selected location or provider’s current booking menu. Against the $43 U.S. median for men's haircut, the upper end of this band is still at or below the national midpoint.
What does adult haircut cost?
Documented at $34.99 for adult haircut. Cost Cutters — Dillon CO. Published lines like this are verified periodically and can change without warning.
Haircut, shampoo and blowout: what is the published amount?
Haircut, shampoo and blowout: $73.97 as published. Cost Cutters — Dillon CO; Cost Cutters. Compare that against the $43 U.S. median for men's haircut before deciding whether it is competitive.
What does this cost once tax and tip are added?
The menu price is not the final price. Budget 25% more - approximately $12 extra on a $46 service - and more if you accept anything offered at the chair.
What does keeping this up cost annually?
Roughly $671 per year at 13 visits (every 4 weeks), gratuity included. That figure is considerably more helpful than the $43 per-visit price when deciding whether to commit.
Why does the same service cost different amounts at different locations?
Mostly geography. The same service name maps to roughly $30 in a rural market and $75 in the most costly metros, a 2.5x spread. Provider tier and appointment length move it further.
Can I book at these prices?
No. Every figure here is either an amount taken from a source listed below, or a labelled U.S. market range. Locations change menus without warning. Last reviewed August 2026.
Sources and how we checked them
Brand-specific amounts on this page come from the pages below. A source covering one location is not used as evidence of a national price, and market ranges are labelled on a separate line.
- Official servicesServices · updated 2026
- Dillon, Colorado official booking pageLocation-specific haircut and haircut/blowout prices · updated 2026
- Official U.S. brand websiteBrand identity, service scope, location/booking model and official-source gate · updated 2026
- Hair dye and relaxer safety guidancePatch tests, scalp condition and timing after chemical services · updated 2026
- Hair dyes official safety guidancePatch tests, allergy risk and eye-area restrictions · updated 2026
- Hair smoothing and formaldehydeFormaldehyde exposure and smoothing-service safety · updated 2026
- Official services directoryService categories · updated 2026
- Official hair color service pageColor-service definitions and durations · updated 2026
- Official curly hair servicesService definitions and durations · updated 2026
- Official haircut and styling service pageHaircut/styling inclusions and service durations · updated 2026
Pricing shifts. If your quote differed, let us know and we will re-verify.
People also ask
Frequently asked questions
What does Cost Cutters vs Ulta Beauty Salon cost in 2026?
The working range is $18–$73.97, drawn from 4 published amounts. 3 of those are core services; the rest are add-ons, memberships or fees that should not be averaged in. The median documented line is $34.99.
Is there a price for strip lash add-on?
$11. Ulta Beauty Salon. Expect roughly $14 once tax and gratuity are added, where gratuity applies.
How much is compatible national numeric amount?
$18 at the low end, $32 at the top. Use the selected location or provider’s current booking menu. Against the $43 U.S. median for men's haircut, the upper end of this band is still at or below the national midpoint.
What does adult haircut cost?
Documented at $34.99 for adult haircut. Cost Cutters — Dillon CO. Published lines like this are verified periodically and can change without warning.
Haircut, shampoo and blowout: what is the published amount?
Haircut, shampoo and blowout: $73.97 as published. Cost Cutters — Dillon CO; Cost Cutters. Compare that against the $43 U.S. median for men's haircut before deciding whether it is competitive.
What does this cost once tax and tip are added?
The menu price is not the final price. Budget 25% more - around $12 extra on a $46 service - and more if you accept anything offered at the chair.
What does keeping this up cost annually?
Approximately $671 a year at 13 visits (every 4 weeks), gratuity included. That figure is considerably more helpful than the $43 per-visit price when deciding whether to commit.
Why does the same service cost different amounts at different locations?
Mostly geography. The same service name maps to around $30 in a rural market and $75 in the most expensive metros, a 2.5x spread. Provider tier and appointment length move it further.
Can I book at these prices?
No. Every figure here is either an amount taken from a source listed below, or a labelled U.S. market range. Locations change menus without notice. Last reviewed August 2026.
Last reviewed . Prices change without notice — report a correction.