What it costs to start
Itemized startup budgets for 62 small businesses, sorted from cheapest to most expensive lean launch. Each breakdown shows required vs optional items, monthly costs and a break-even estimate. For averages across every idea, see the startup cost report.
| Business | Category | Startup cost | Monthly costs | Break-even |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost to start an online tutoring business | Education & Coaching | $75–$700 | $137 | Month 2 |
| Cost to start a dropshipping business | E-commerce | $255–$1,390 | $459 | Month 9 |
| Cost to start a bookkeeping business | Freelance & Agency | $300–$1,700 | $255 | Month 2 |
| Cost to start a dog walking business | Pets | $530–$2,020 | $190 | Month 3 |
| Cost to start a home bakery | Food & Beverage | $600–$4,000 | $280 | Month 3 |
| Cost to start an Airbnb co-hosting business | Home & Property | $1,250–$4,900 | $640 | Month 6 |
| Cost to start a t-shirt printing business | E-commerce | $1,340–$4,270 | $345 | Month 5 |
| Cost to start a window cleaning business | Local Services | $1,400–$5,000 | $510 | Month 3 |
| Cost to start a house cleaning business | Home & Property | $1,550–$4,800 | $1,000 | Month 5 |
| Cost to start a cake business | Food & Beverage | $1,600–$18,900 | $985 | Month 8 |
| Cost to start an event planning business | Local Services | $1,650–$7,500 | $745 | Month 2 |
| Cost to start a handyman business | Home & Property | $1,700–$10,000 | $875 | Month 5 |
| Cost to start a lash business | Local Services | $2,000–$8,500 | $1,310 | Month 4 |
| Cost to start a digital marketing agency | Freelance & Agency | $2,150–$8,200 | $1,320 | Month 4 |
| Cost to start a consulting business | Freelance & Agency | $2,300–$7,000 | $770 | Month 2 |
| Cost to start a home daycare | Education & Coaching | $2,450–$11,450 | $535 | Month 4 |
| Cost to start a jewelry business | E-commerce | $2,500–$8,150 | $620 | Month 7 |
| Cost to start a real estate wholesaling business | Local Services | $2,650–$10,000 | $1,995 | Month 7 |
| Cost to start a pool cleaning business | Home & Property | $2,700–$13,500 | $975 | Month 5 |
| Cost to start a photo booth business | Events & Travel | $2,750–$10,550 | $485 | Month 5 |
| Cost to start a painting business | Home & Property | $3,000–$19,000 | $1,610 | Month 7 |
| Cost to start a mobile detailing business | Local Services | $3,450–$13,300 | $1,030 | Month 5 |
| Cost to start a catering business | Food & Beverage | $3,600–$30,000 | $1,840 | Month 9 |
| Cost to start a commercial cleaning business | Local Services | $3,700–$13,250 | $1,430 | Month 6 |
| Cost to start a wedding photography business | Freelance & Agency | $3,900–$13,400 | $510 | Month 3 |
| Cost to start a property management company | Local Services | $4,250–$20,300 | $2,900 | Month 9 |
| Cost to start a clothing brand | E-commerce | $4,250–$12,300 | $645 | Month 7 |
| Cost to start a medical courier business | Local Services | $4,350–$32,400 | $1,490 | Month 8 |
| Cost to start a pest control business | Local Services | $4,800–$30,000 | $4,230 | Month 8 |
| Cost to start a pressure washing business | Local Services | $5,750–$10,600 | $1,220 | Month 5 |
| Cost to start a lawn care business | Home & Property | $6,000–$16,500 | $1,060 | Month 8 |
| Cost to start a coffee cart | Food & Beverage | $6,000–$40,000 | $1,540 | Month 11 |
| Cost to start an electrical business | Local Services | $7,000–$36,200 | $4,280 | Month 7 |
| Cost to start a junk removal business | Local Services | $7,100–$15,500 | $1,650 | Month 8 |
| Cost to start an esthetician business | Health & Wellness | $7,500–$25,700 | $1,700 | Month 9 |
| Cost to start a vending machine business | Local Services | $7,600–$22,100 | $405 | Month 17 |
| Cost to start a construction company | Local Services | $8,400–$58,300 | $6,970 | Month 11 |
| Cost to start a plumbing business | Local Services | $9,000–$41,400 | $3,730 | Month 7 |
| Cost to start a carpet cleaning business | Home & Property | $9,850–$26,800 | $1,255 | Month 8 |
| Cost to start a courier business | Local Services | $12,350–$40,100 | $1,700 | Month 11 |
| Cost to start an HVAC business | Local Services | $13,700–$70,000 | $10,200 | Month 12 |
| Cost to open a barbershop | Local Services | $13,800–$80,300 | $5,280 | Month 12 |
| Cost to start a roofing company | Local Services | $15,500–$75,300 | $11,100 | Month 11 |
| Cost to start a landscaping business | Local Services | $15,600–$32,100 | $2,440 | Month 11 |
| Cost to start a security guard company | Local Services | $17,900–$52,300 | $5,030 | Month 24 |
| Cost to start a moving company | Local Services | $19,100–$121,000 | $9,750 | Month 14 |
| Cost to open a hair salon | Local Services | $20,500–$149,000 | $11,770 | Month 18 |
| Cost to start a food truck | Food & Beverage | $21,600–$150,000 | $4,950 | Month 22 |
| Cost to open a nail salon | Local Services | $29,500–$151,000 | $9,400 | Month 29 |
| Cost to start a box truck business | Local Services | $31,150–$80,600 | $2,930 | Month 16 |
| Cost to start a car rental business | Local Services | $35,900–$126,700 | $6,380 | 36+ months |
| Cost to start a trucking company | Local Services | $37,550–$141,000 | $6,110 | 36+ months |
| Cost to open a clothing boutique | Local Services | $42,600–$121,700 | $10,020 | Month 29 |
| Cost to start an NEMT business | Local Services | $44,050–$108,000 | $4,750 | Month 28 |
| Cost to open a dog daycare | Pets | $48,000–$168,000 | $15,690 | 36+ months |
| Cost to open an ice cream shop | Food & Beverage | $54,500–$300,000 | $11,570 | 36+ months |
| Cost to start a towing business | Local Services | $55,100–$125,500 | $4,980 | Month 23 |
| Cost to start a hotshot trucking business | Local Services | $63,250–$118,900 | $5,180 | 36+ months |
| Cost to open a coffee shop | Food & Beverage | $68,000–$350,000 | $17,500 | 36+ months |
| Cost to open a restaurant | Food & Beverage | $147,000–$750,000 | $36,300 | 36+ months |
| Cost to open a laundromat | Local Services | $205,500–$511,000 | $16,750 | 36+ months |
| Cost to start a self storage business | Local Services | $260,000–$691,000 | $10,300 | 36+ months |