How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business in Des Moines, IA?
Population: 214,133 | Cost of living: 90.2% | Sales tax: 7% | Min wage: $7.25
Startup Costs by Industry in Des Moines
| Industry | Estimated Startup Cost | National Average | Local Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting Firm | $15,000 - $63,000 | $15,000 - $60,000 | +4% |
| Acupuncture Practice | $7,000 - $45,000 | $10,000 - $60,000 | -26% |
| Affiliate Marketing Business | $1,000 - $11,000 | $500 - $5,000 | +118% |
| After-School Program | $17,000 - $101,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | -2% |
| AI Consulting Business | $6,000 - $47,000 | $2,000 - $50,000 | +2% |
| Airbnb Rental Business | $9,000 - $49,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | -3% |
| Amazon FBA Business | $6,000 - $63,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +25% |
| App Development | $15,000 - $99,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | -1% |
| Aquaponics Farm | $16,000 - $129,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | -15% |
| Arcade & Gaming Center | $82,000 - $483,000 | $100,000 - $500,000 | -6% |
| ATM Business | $4,000 - $53,000 | $3,000 - $30,000 | +73% |
| Auto Detailing | $8,000 - $60,000 | $5,000 - $75,000 | -15% |
| Auto Repair Shop | $51,000 - $268,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -9% |
| Axe Throwing Venue | $37,000 - $192,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | -8% |
| Bakery | $49,000 - $213,000 | $60,000 - $250,000 | -15% |
| Bar | $77,000 - $316,000 | $100,000 - $400,000 | -21% |
| Barbershop | $36,000 - $134,000 | $50,000 - $150,000 | -15% |
| Beauty Supply Store | $20,000 - $97,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | -35% |
| Bed & Breakfast | $92,000 - $459,000 | $100,000 - $500,000 | -8% |
| Beekeeping Business | $11,000 - $53,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +7% |
| Bike Shop | $20,000 - $126,000 | $30,000 - $200,000 | -37% |
| Auto Body Shop | $32,000 - $185,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -38% |
| Bookkeeping Service | $3,000 - $17,000 | $2,000 - $10,000 | +67% |
| Bookstore | $38,000 - $160,000 | $40,000 - $200,000 | -18% |
| Boutique | $41,000 - $203,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | -19% |
| Bowling Alley | $381,000 - $2,385,000 | $500,000 - $3,000,000 | -21% |
| Brewery | $188,000 - $1,059,000 | $250,000 - $1,500,000 | -29% |
| Campground | $90,000 - $869,000 | $100,000 - $1,000,000 | -13% |
| Candy Shop | $19,000 - $96,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | -4% |
| Car Rental Business | $50,000 - $476,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | -4% |
| Car Wash | $71,000 - $455,000 | $75,000 - $500,000 | -9% |
| Carpentry Business | $18,000 - $92,000 | $15,000 - $75,000 | +22% |
| Carpet Cleaning Business | $4,000 - $28,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | -9% |
| Catering Business | $23,000 - $121,000 | $20,000 - $125,000 | -1% |
| Chiropractic | $78,000 - $281,000 | $100,000 - $350,000 | -20% |
| Christmas Tree Farm | $22,000 - $132,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +28% |
| Cleaning Service | $6,000 - $43,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | -11% |
| Clothing Store | $17,000 - $97,000 | $25,000 - $150,000 | -35% |
| Coding Bootcamp | $7,000 - $68,000 | $10,000 - $100,000 | -32% |
| Coffee Roastery | $20,000 - $252,000 | $20,000 - $300,000 | -15% |
| Coffee Shop | $55,000 - $217,000 | $80,000 - $300,000 | -28% |
| Computer Repair Business | $4,000 - $28,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | -9% |
| Concrete Business | $28,000 - $151,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | -1% |
| Construction Company | $57,000 - $490,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | -1% |
| Consulting Business | $9,000 - $61,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +27% |
| Convenience Store | $41,000 - $268,000 | $50,000 - $350,000 | -23% |
| Courier & Delivery Service | $7,000 - $53,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +9% |
| Coworking Space | $63,000 - $303,000 | $100,000 - $500,000 | -39% |
| Cybersecurity Firm | $7,000 - $68,000 | $10,000 - $100,000 | -32% |
| Dance Studio | $25,000 - $116,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | -22% |
| Daycare | $39,000 - $163,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -42% |
| Demolition Company | $60,000 - $280,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +13% |
| Dental Practice | $290,000 - $717,000 | $350,000 - $750,000 | -8% |
| Digital Marketing | $8,000 - $52,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +9% |
| Distillery | $78,000 - $715,000 | $100,000 - $1,000,000 | -28% |
| Dog Daycare | $30,000 - $213,000 | $40,000 - $350,000 | -38% |
| Dog Grooming Business | $9,000 - $52,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +2% |
| Dog Training Business | $3,000 - $23,000 | $2,000 - $20,000 | +18% |
| Dog Walking Business | $2,000 - $8,000 | $500 - $5,000 | +82% |
| Donut Shop | $41,000 - $199,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | -20% |
| Driving School | $23,000 - $99,000 | $25,000 - $100,000 | -2% |
| Drone Business | $4,000 - $38,000 | $3,000 - $50,000 | -21% |
| Dropshipping Business | $2,000 - $16,000 | $500 - $10,000 | +71% |
| Electrical | $17,000 - $92,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | -5% |
| Embroidery & Custom Apparel | $7,000 - $40,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | -22% |
| Escape Room | $42,000 - $268,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -11% |
| Etsy Shop | $1,000 - $10,000 | $500 - $5,000 | +100% |
| Event Planning Business | $7,000 - $35,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +20% |
| Excavation Business | $85,000 - $382,000 | $80,000 - $350,000 | +9% |
| Farm | $40,000 - $458,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | -9% |
| Fast Food Franchise | $119,000 - $1,793,000 | $100,000 - $2,500,000 | -26% |
| Fencing Business | $7,000 - $40,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | -22% |
| Financial Advisory Practice | $7,000 - $40,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | -22% |
| Fitness Studio | $32,000 - $185,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -38% |
| Flooring Business | $12,000 - $72,000 | $10,000 - $60,000 | +20% |
| Flower Shop | $27,000 - $145,000 | $30,000 - $175,000 | -16% |
| Food Delivery Service | $14,000 - $80,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | +11% |
| Food Truck | $57,000 - $213,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | +8% |
| Franchise Business | $34,000 - $958,000 | $20,000 - $1,000,000 | -3% |
| Garage Door Business | $7,000 - $40,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | -22% |
| Gas Station | $155,000 - $1,189,000 | $250,000 - $2,000,000 | -40% |
| General Contractor | $32,000 - $193,000 | $30,000 - $200,000 | -2% |
| Ghost Kitchen | $19,000 - $96,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | -4% |
| Gift Shop | $27,000 - $130,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | -13% |
| Glamping Business | $14,000 - $126,000 | $20,000 - $200,000 | -36% |
| Graphic Design Business | $5,000 - $25,000 | $3,000 - $20,000 | +30% |
| Greenhouse Business | $23,000 - $184,000 | $30,000 - $200,000 | -10% |
| Grocery Store | $91,000 - $1,183,000 | $80,000 - $2,000,000 | -39% |
| Gym | $76,000 - $375,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | -18% |
| Hair Salon | $50,000 - $185,000 | $60,000 - $200,000 | -10% |
| Handyman | $8,000 - $45,000 | $5,000 - $40,000 | +18% |
| Home Health Care Agency | $44,000 - $304,000 | $40,000 - $350,000 | -11% |
| Home Inspection Business | $6,000 - $33,000 | $5,000 - $25,000 | +30% |
| Hostel | $32,000 - $185,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -38% |
| Hotel | $468,000 - $4,333,000 | $500,000 - $5,000,000 | -13% |
| HVAC | $25,000 - $130,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | -9% |
| Ice Cream Shop | $47,000 - $246,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -16% |
| Insurance Agency | $18,000 - $76,000 | $20,000 - $80,000 | -6% |
| Interior Design Business | $4,000 - $28,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | -9% |
| IT Services | $15,000 - $94,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | -5% |
| Jewelry Store | $32,000 - $156,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | -37% |
| Juice Bar | $34,000 - $165,000 | $40,000 - $200,000 | -17% |
| Junk Removal Business | $4,000 - $40,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | -20% |
| Landscaping | $13,000 - $77,000 | $10,000 - $80,000 | Avg |
| Language School | $7,000 - $54,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | -28% |
| Laundromat | $133,000 - $723,000 | $200,000 - $1,000,000 | -29% |
| Lavender Farm | $14,000 - $68,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | -32% |
| Law Firm | $37,000 - $171,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | -17% |
| Liquor Store | $78,000 - $302,000 | $100,000 - $400,000 | -24% |
| Locksmith Business | $4,000 - $28,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | -9% |
| Managed IT Services | $7,000 - $54,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | -28% |
| Manufacturing Business | $56,000 - $956,000 | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | -4% |
| Marketing Agency | $15,000 - $85,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | +18% |
| Martial Arts Studio | $24,000 - $118,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | -21% |
| Masonry Business | $18,000 - $94,000 | $15,000 - $80,000 | +18% |
| Massage Therapy Practice | $4,000 - $40,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | -20% |
| Meal Prep Business | $15,000 - $75,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | -22% |
| Med Spa | $188,000 - $539,000 | $250,000 - $600,000 | -14% |
| Medical Practice | $86,000 - $485,000 | $70,000 - $500,000 | Avg |
| Microgreens Farm | $3,000 - $21,000 | $2,000 - $15,000 | +41% |
| Mini Golf Course | $74,000 - $415,000 | $100,000 - $500,000 | -19% |
| Mobile Mechanic | $7,000 - $51,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +5% |
| Moving Company | $25,000 - $130,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | -9% |
| Mushroom Farm | $9,000 - $68,000 | $10,000 - $80,000 | -14% |
| Music School | $23,000 - $110,000 | $25,000 - $120,000 | -8% |
| Nail Salon | $31,000 - $125,000 | $40,000 - $150,000 | -18% |
| Notary Business | $2,000 - $14,000 | $1,000 - $5,000 | +167% |
| Plant Nursery | $24,000 - $144,000 | $25,000 - $150,000 | -4% |
| Oil Change Shop | $39,000 - $211,000 | $40,000 - $250,000 | -14% |
| Online Coaching Business | $2,000 - $22,000 | $1,000 - $10,000 | +118% |
| Online Store | $3,000 - $43,000 | $2,000 - $30,000 | +44% |
| Painting | $9,000 - $51,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +9% |
| Pawn Shop | $32,000 - $126,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | -37% |
| Personal Training | $11,000 - $82,000 | $10,000 - $100,000 | -15% |
| Pest Control | $15,000 - $76,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | +7% |
| Pet Boarding Facility | $39,000 - $338,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | -31% |
| Pet Sitting Business | $2,000 - $8,000 | $500 - $5,000 | +82% |
| Pet Store | $48,000 - $244,000 | $60,000 - $300,000 | -19% |
| Pharmacy | $252,000 - $1,315,000 | $250,000 - $1,700,000 | -20% |
| Phone Repair Shop | $7,000 - $40,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | -22% |
| Photography Business | $11,000 - $69,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +33% |
| Physical Therapy Clinic | $32,000 - $185,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -38% |
| Pilates Studio | $20,000 - $97,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | -35% |
| Pizza Shop | $60,000 - $233,000 | $75,000 - $300,000 | -22% |
| Plumbing | $16,000 - $89,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | -9% |
| Podcast Studio | $14,000 - $74,000 | $15,000 - $80,000 | -7% |
| Pool Construction Business | $32,000 - $185,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -38% |
| Pool Cleaning & Service | $4,000 - $25,000 | $5,000 - $25,000 | -3% |
| Preschool | $63,000 - $243,000 | $80,000 - $300,000 | -19% |
| Pressure Washing Business | $3,000 - $24,000 | $3,000 - $20,000 | +17% |
| Print-on-Demand Business | $2,000 - $13,000 | $500 - $8,000 | +76% |
| Printing Business | $43,000 - $216,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | -14% |
| Property Management Company | $5,000 - $31,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | -35% |
| Real Estate Agency | $24,000 - $104,000 | $25,000 - $100,000 | +2% |
| Real Estate Investment Business | $22,000 - $391,000 | $20,000 - $500,000 | -21% |
| Recording Studio | $38,000 - $180,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | -13% |
| Restaurant | $75,000 - $294,000 | $75,000 - $250,000 | +14% |
| Retail Store | $37,000 - $202,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | -20% |
| Roofing | $25,000 - $137,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | -5% |
| SaaS Company | $23,000 - $195,000 | $25,000 - $200,000 | -3% |
| Security Company | $16,000 - $103,000 | $10,000 - $100,000 | +8% |
| Self-Storage Facility | $301,000 - $3,467,000 | $500,000 - $5,000,000 | -31% |
| Senior Care Facility | $95,000 - $902,000 | $100,000 - $1,500,000 | -38% |
| SEO Agency | $9,000 - $53,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +13% |
| Sign Shop | $14,000 - $68,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | -32% |
| Smoke Shop | $20,000 - $97,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | -35% |
| Solar Installation Business | $32,000 - $185,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -38% |
| Spa | $75,000 - $287,000 | $100,000 - $350,000 | -20% |
| Staffing Agency | $31,000 - $139,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | -6% |
| Subscription Box Business | $6,000 - $55,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +11% |
| Swim School | $32,000 - $185,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -38% |
| Tanning Salon | $32,000 - $156,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | -37% |
| Tattoo Shop | $20,000 - $97,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | -35% |
| Tax Preparation Business | $8,000 - $43,000 | $8,000 - $40,000 | +6% |
| Tech Startup | $19,000 - $146,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | -3% |
| Thrift Store | $17,000 - $93,000 | $20,000 - $120,000 | -21% |
| Tire Shop | $49,000 - $236,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | -5% |
| Tour Company | $12,000 - $83,000 | $10,000 - $80,000 | +6% |
| Towing Company | $51,000 - $263,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -10% |
| Trampoline Park | $324,000 - $1,488,000 | $500,000 - $2,000,000 | -28% |
| Travel Agency | $6,000 - $37,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +23% |
| Tree Service | $11,000 - $68,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | -31% |
| Trucking Company | $21,000 - $287,000 | $15,000 - $400,000 | -26% |
| Tutoring Business | $3,000 - $18,000 | $2,000 - $15,000 | +24% |
| Used Car Dealer | $43,000 - $304,000 | $50,000 - $350,000 | -13% |
| Vape Shop | $25,000 - $121,000 | $25,000 - $150,000 | -17% |
| Vending Machine Business | $8,000 - $72,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +45% |
| Veterinary Clinic | $248,000 - $1,461,000 | $300,000 - $2,000,000 | -26% |
| Videography Business | $13,000 - $63,000 | $10,000 - $60,000 | +9% |
| Virtual Assistant Business | $2,000 - $13,000 | $500 - $3,000 | +329% |
| Waste Management Business | $35,000 - $422,000 | $30,000 - $500,000 | -14% |
| Web Design Business | $4,000 - $29,000 | $3,000 - $25,000 | +18% |
| Wedding Planning Business | $7,000 - $34,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +17% |
| Welding Business | $19,000 - $106,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +9% |
| Window Cleaning Business | $3,000 - $21,000 | $2,000 - $15,000 | +41% |
| Winery | $70,000 - $818,000 | $100,000 - $1,000,000 | -19% |
| Yoga Studio | $39,000 - $153,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | -23% |
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Local Market Factors in Des Moines
90.2%
Cost of Living Index
$12-$26
Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr)
0.9x
Labor Rate Index
7%
Sales Tax Rate
Local Permit Fees in Des Moines
| Permit | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Business License | $25 - $150 |
| Food Service Permit | $150 - $400 |
| Liquor License | $500 - $3,000 |
| General Contractor License | $75 - $250 |
| Home Occupation Permit | $0 - $50 |
About Starting a Business in Des Moines
Des Moines is a major insurance and financial services hub, home to Principal Financial and EMC Insurance. The city consistently ranks among the best places for young professionals, with a growing downtown scene and a cost of living well below the national average.
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