How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business in Boston, MA?
Population: 675,647 | Cost of living: 152.4% | Sales tax: 6.25% | Min wage: $15.00
Startup Costs by Industry in Boston
| Industry | Estimated Startup Cost | National Average | Local Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting Firm | $28,000 - $126,000 | $15,000 - $60,000 | +105% |
| Acupuncture Practice | $15,000 - $87,000 | $10,000 - $60,000 | +46% |
| Affiliate Marketing Business | $6,000 - $40,000 | $500 - $5,000 | +736% |
| After-School Program | $31,000 - $191,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +85% |
| AI Consulting Business | $12,000 - $85,000 | $2,000 - $50,000 | +87% |
| Airbnb Rental Business | $16,000 - $87,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +72% |
| Amazon FBA Business | $13,000 - $101,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +107% |
| App Development | $25,000 - $178,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +77% |
| Aquaponics Farm | $25,000 - $189,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | +26% |
| Arcade & Gaming Center | $122,000 - $755,000 | $100,000 - $500,000 | +46% |
| ATM Business | $5,000 - $55,000 | $3,000 - $30,000 | +82% |
| Auto Detailing | $14,000 - $94,000 | $5,000 - $75,000 | +35% |
| Auto Repair Shop | $77,000 - $434,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +46% |
| Axe Throwing Venue | $62,000 - $355,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | +67% |
| Bakery | $77,000 - $341,000 | $60,000 - $250,000 | +35% |
| Bar | $117,000 - $494,000 | $100,000 - $400,000 | +22% |
| Barbershop | $58,000 - $230,000 | $50,000 - $150,000 | +44% |
| Beauty Supply Store | $41,000 - $200,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +34% |
| Bed & Breakfast | $194,000 - $972,000 | $100,000 - $500,000 | +94% |
| Beekeeping Business | $17,000 - $85,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +70% |
| Bike Shop | $41,000 - $264,000 | $30,000 - $200,000 | +33% |
| Auto Body Shop | $68,000 - $392,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +31% |
| Bookkeeping Service | $3,000 - $18,000 | $2,000 - $10,000 | +75% |
| Bookstore | $59,000 - $273,000 | $40,000 - $200,000 | +38% |
| Boutique | $63,000 - $334,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +32% |
| Bowling Alley | $589,000 - $3,919,000 | $500,000 - $3,000,000 | +29% |
| Brewery | $329,000 - $1,857,000 | $250,000 - $1,500,000 | +25% |
| Campground | $170,000 - $1,773,000 | $100,000 - $1,000,000 | +77% |
| Candy Shop | $30,000 - $149,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +49% |
| Car Rental Business | $60,000 - $544,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | +10% |
| Car Wash | $117,000 - $675,000 | $75,000 - $500,000 | +38% |
| Carpentry Business | $26,000 - $145,000 | $15,000 - $75,000 | +90% |
| Carpet Cleaning Business | $8,000 - $49,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +63% |
| Catering Business | $36,000 - $190,000 | $20,000 - $125,000 | +56% |
| Chiropractic | $113,000 - $425,000 | $100,000 - $350,000 | +20% |
| Christmas Tree Farm | $39,000 - $256,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +146% |
| Cleaning Service | $12,000 - $77,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +62% |
| Clothing Store | $35,000 - $200,000 | $25,000 - $150,000 | +34% |
| Coding Bootcamp | $15,000 - $137,000 | $10,000 - $100,000 | +38% |
| Coffee Roastery | $32,000 - $370,000 | $20,000 - $300,000 | +26% |
| Coffee Shop | $83,000 - $343,000 | $80,000 - $300,000 | +12% |
| Computer Repair Business | $8,000 - $49,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +63% |
| Concrete Business | $36,000 - $198,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +30% |
| Construction Company | $73,000 - $601,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | +23% |
| Consulting Business | $16,000 - $102,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +115% |
| Convenience Store | $69,000 - $454,000 | $50,000 - $350,000 | +31% |
| Courier & Delivery Service | $12,000 - $85,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +76% |
| Coworking Space | $135,000 - $648,000 | $100,000 - $500,000 | +31% |
| Cybersecurity Firm | $15,000 - $137,000 | $10,000 - $100,000 | +38% |
| Dance Studio | $45,000 - $225,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +50% |
| Daycare | $68,000 - $304,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +6% |
| Demolition Company | $71,000 - $331,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +34% |
| Dental Practice | $372,000 - $955,000 | $350,000 - $750,000 | +21% |
| Digital Marketing | $15,000 - $109,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +125% |
| Distillery | $134,000 - $1,247,000 | $100,000 - $1,000,000 | +26% |
| Dog Daycare | $65,000 - $511,000 | $40,000 - $350,000 | +48% |
| Dog Grooming Business | $19,000 - $116,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +125% |
| Dog Training Business | $8,000 - $61,000 | $2,000 - $20,000 | +214% |
| Dog Walking Business | $7,000 - $37,000 | $500 - $5,000 | +700% |
| Donut Shop | $69,000 - $332,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +34% |
| Driving School | $33,000 - $157,000 | $25,000 - $100,000 | +52% |
| Drone Business | $9,000 - $68,000 | $3,000 - $50,000 | +45% |
| Dropshipping Business | $7,000 - $46,000 | $500 - $10,000 | +405% |
| Electrical | $24,000 - $128,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +32% |
| Embroidery & Custom Apparel | $15,000 - $74,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +48% |
| Escape Room | $77,000 - $507,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +67% |
| Etsy Shop | $6,000 - $39,000 | $500 - $5,000 | +718% |
| Event Planning Business | $13,000 - $70,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +137% |
| Excavation Business | $97,000 - $442,000 | $80,000 - $350,000 | +25% |
| Farm | $62,000 - $860,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | +68% |
| Fast Food Franchise | $212,000 - $3,783,000 | $100,000 - $2,500,000 | +54% |
| Fencing Business | $15,000 - $74,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +48% |
| Financial Advisory Practice | $15,000 - $74,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +48% |
| Fitness Studio | $68,000 - $392,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +31% |
| Flooring Business | $18,000 - $107,000 | $10,000 - $60,000 | +79% |
| Flower Shop | $44,000 - $242,000 | $30,000 - $175,000 | +40% |
| Food Delivery Service | $24,000 - $137,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | +89% |
| Food Truck | $74,000 - $279,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | +41% |
| Franchise Business | $40,000 - $1,866,000 | $20,000 - $1,000,000 | +87% |
| Garage Door Business | $15,000 - $74,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +48% |
| Gas Station | $335,000 - $2,566,000 | $250,000 - $2,000,000 | +29% |
| General Contractor | $40,000 - $251,000 | $30,000 - $200,000 | +27% |
| Ghost Kitchen | $30,000 - $149,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +49% |
| Gift Shop | $44,000 - $229,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +52% |
| Glamping Business | $28,000 - $264,000 | $20,000 - $200,000 | +33% |
| Graphic Design Business | $11,000 - $55,000 | $3,000 - $20,000 | +187% |
| Greenhouse Business | $35,000 - $269,000 | $30,000 - $200,000 | +32% |
| Grocery Store | $158,000 - $2,137,000 | $80,000 - $2,000,000 | +10% |
| Gym | $116,000 - $591,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | +29% |
| Hair Salon | $78,000 - $303,000 | $60,000 - $200,000 | +47% |
| Handyman | $14,000 - $78,000 | $5,000 - $40,000 | +104% |
| Home Health Care Agency | $64,000 - $443,000 | $40,000 - $350,000 | +30% |
| Home Inspection Business | $7,000 - $36,000 | $5,000 - $25,000 | +43% |
| Hostel | $68,000 - $392,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +31% |
| Hotel | $828,000 - $8,455,000 | $500,000 - $5,000,000 | +69% |
| HVAC | $33,000 - $172,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | +21% |
| Ice Cream Shop | $69,000 - $374,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +27% |
| Insurance Agency | $33,000 - $147,000 | $20,000 - $80,000 | +80% |
| Interior Design Business | $8,000 - $49,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +63% |
| IT Services | $23,000 - $137,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +39% |
| Jewelry Store | $68,000 - $328,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +32% |
| Juice Bar | $55,000 - $270,000 | $40,000 - $200,000 | +35% |
| Junk Removal Business | $8,000 - $74,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +49% |
| Landscaping | $19,000 - $113,000 | $10,000 - $80,000 | +47% |
| Language School | $15,000 - $105,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | +41% |
| Laundromat | $191,000 - $1,106,000 | $200,000 - $1,000,000 | +8% |
| Lavender Farm | $28,000 - $137,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +38% |
| Law Firm | $63,000 - $307,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | +48% |
| Liquor Store | $134,000 - $515,000 | $100,000 - $400,000 | +30% |
| Locksmith Business | $8,000 - $49,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +63% |
| Managed IT Services | $15,000 - $105,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | +41% |
| Manufacturing Business | $88,000 - $1,434,000 | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | +45% |
| Marketing Agency | $26,000 - $157,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | +115% |
| Martial Arts Studio | $43,000 - $221,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +47% |
| Masonry Business | $24,000 - $130,000 | $15,000 - $80,000 | +62% |
| Massage Therapy Practice | $8,000 - $74,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +49% |
| Meal Prep Business | $27,000 - $138,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +43% |
| Med Spa | $248,000 - $750,000 | $250,000 - $600,000 | +17% |
| Medical Practice | $141,000 - $840,000 | $70,000 - $500,000 | +72% |
| Microgreens Farm | $3,000 - $22,000 | $2,000 - $15,000 | +47% |
| Mini Golf Course | $131,000 - $777,000 | $100,000 - $500,000 | +51% |
| Mobile Mechanic | $12,000 - $81,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +69% |
| Moving Company | $33,000 - $172,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | +21% |
| Mushroom Farm | $18,000 - $143,000 | $10,000 - $80,000 | +79% |
| Music School | $39,000 - $201,000 | $25,000 - $120,000 | +66% |
| Nail Salon | $51,000 - $214,000 | $40,000 - $150,000 | +39% |
| Notary Business | $2,000 - $15,000 | $1,000 - $5,000 | +183% |
| Plant Nursery | $42,000 - $262,000 | $25,000 - $150,000 | +74% |
| Oil Change Shop | $63,000 - $354,000 | $40,000 - $250,000 | +44% |
| Online Coaching Business | $8,000 - $52,000 | $1,000 - $10,000 | +445% |
| Online Store | $8,000 - $71,000 | $2,000 - $30,000 | +147% |
| Painting | $15,000 - $86,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +84% |
| Pawn Shop | $68,000 - $264,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | +33% |
| Personal Training | $19,000 - $151,000 | $10,000 - $100,000 | +55% |
| Pest Control | $22,000 - $114,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | +60% |
| Pet Boarding Facility | $83,000 - $802,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | +61% |
| Pet Sitting Business | $7,000 - $36,000 | $500 - $5,000 | +682% |
| Pet Store | $73,000 - $399,000 | $60,000 - $300,000 | +31% |
| Pharmacy | $372,000 - $1,960,000 | $250,000 - $1,700,000 | +20% |
| Phone Repair Shop | $15,000 - $74,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +48% |
| Photography Business | $16,000 - $125,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +135% |
| Physical Therapy Clinic | $68,000 - $392,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +31% |
| Pilates Studio | $41,000 - $200,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +34% |
| Pizza Shop | $102,000 - $393,000 | $75,000 - $300,000 | +32% |
| Plumbing | $22,000 - $125,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +28% |
| Podcast Studio | $27,000 - $143,000 | $15,000 - $80,000 | +79% |
| Pool Construction Business | $68,000 - $392,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +31% |
| Pool Cleaning & Service | $8,000 - $43,000 | $5,000 - $25,000 | +70% |
| Preschool | $103,000 - $421,000 | $80,000 - $300,000 | +38% |
| Pressure Washing Business | $4,000 - $25,000 | $3,000 - $20,000 | +26% |
| Print-on-Demand Business | $7,000 - $42,000 | $500 - $8,000 | +476% |
| Printing Business | $63,000 - $323,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +29% |
| Property Management Company | $12,000 - $77,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +62% |
| Real Estate Agency | $43,000 - $194,000 | $25,000 - $100,000 | +90% |
| Real Estate Investment Business | $44,000 - $942,000 | $20,000 - $500,000 | +90% |
| Recording Studio | $60,000 - $293,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | +41% |
| Restaurant | $113,000 - $462,000 | $75,000 - $250,000 | +77% |
| Retail Store | $56,000 - $343,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +33% |
| Roofing | $33,000 - $183,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | +27% |
| SaaS Company | $34,000 - $254,000 | $25,000 - $200,000 | +28% |
| Security Company | $22,000 - $144,000 | $10,000 - $100,000 | +51% |
| Self-Storage Facility | $681,000 - $8,671,000 | $500,000 - $5,000,000 | +70% |
| Senior Care Facility | $166,000 - $1,841,000 | $100,000 - $1,500,000 | +25% |
| SEO Agency | $16,000 - $110,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +129% |
| Sign Shop | $28,000 - $137,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +38% |
| Smoke Shop | $41,000 - $200,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +34% |
| Solar Installation Business | $68,000 - $392,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +31% |
| Spa | $116,000 - $460,000 | $100,000 - $350,000 | +28% |
| Staffing Agency | $54,000 - $246,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +67% |
| Subscription Box Business | $12,000 - $90,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +85% |
| Swim School | $68,000 - $392,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +31% |
| Tanning Salon | $68,000 - $328,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +32% |
| Tattoo Shop | $41,000 - $200,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +34% |
| Tax Preparation Business | $15,000 - $93,000 | $8,000 - $40,000 | +125% |
| Tech Startup | $30,000 - $248,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | +64% |
| Thrift Store | $33,000 - $193,000 | $20,000 - $120,000 | +61% |
| Tire Shop | $75,000 - $382,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +52% |
| Tour Company | $19,000 - $121,000 | $10,000 - $80,000 | +56% |
| Towing Company | $70,000 - $370,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +26% |
| Trampoline Park | $511,000 - $2,396,000 | $500,000 - $2,000,000 | +16% |
| Travel Agency | $13,000 - $80,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +166% |
| Tree Service | $21,000 - $137,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +37% |
| Trucking Company | $24,000 - $312,000 | $15,000 - $400,000 | -19% |
| Tutoring Business | $8,000 - $48,000 | $2,000 - $15,000 | +229% |
| Used Car Dealer | $65,000 - $441,000 | $50,000 - $350,000 | +27% |
| Vape Shop | $41,000 - $209,000 | $25,000 - $150,000 | +43% |
| Vending Machine Business | $8,000 - $74,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +49% |
| Veterinary Clinic | $442,000 - $2,903,000 | $300,000 - $2,000,000 | +45% |
| Videography Business | $19,000 - $98,000 | $10,000 - $60,000 | +67% |
| Virtual Assistant Business | $2,000 - $13,000 | $500 - $3,000 | +329% |
| Waste Management Business | $44,000 - $485,000 | $30,000 - $500,000 | Avg |
| Web Design Business | $9,000 - $57,000 | $3,000 - $25,000 | +136% |
| Wedding Planning Business | $13,000 - $67,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +129% |
| Welding Business | $28,000 - $172,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +74% |
| Window Cleaning Business | $3,000 - $22,000 | $2,000 - $15,000 | +47% |
| Winery | $107,000 - $1,451,000 | $100,000 - $1,000,000 | +42% |
| Yoga Studio | $67,000 - $279,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | +38% |
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Local Market Factors in Boston
152.4%
Cost of Living Index
$30-$80
Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr)
1.38x
Labor Rate Index
6.25%
Sales Tax Rate
Local Permit Fees in Boston
| Permit | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Business License | $100 - $500 |
| Food Service Permit | $400 - $1,000 |
| Liquor License | $5,000 - $30,000 |
| General Contractor License | $200 - $600 |
| Home Occupation Permit | $50 - $200 |
About Starting a Business in Boston
Boston is a global leader in biotech, healthcare, and higher education, with a concentration of world-class universities fueling constant innovation. While startup costs are high -- including the nation's most expensive liquor licenses -- access to talent, research institutions, and venture capital is exceptional.
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