How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business in Durham, NC?
Population: 283,506 | Cost of living: 102.8% | Sales tax: 7.5% | Min wage: $7.25
Startup Costs by Industry in Durham
| Industry | Estimated Startup Cost | National Average | Local Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting Firm | $17,000 - $71,000 | $15,000 - $60,000 | +17% |
| Acupuncture Practice | $8,000 - $51,000 | $10,000 - $60,000 | -16% |
| Affiliate Marketing Business | $2,000 - $13,000 | $500 - $5,000 | +173% |
| After-School Program | $19,000 - $114,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +11% |
| AI Consulting Business | $7,000 - $52,000 | $2,000 - $50,000 | +13% |
| Airbnb Rental Business | $10,000 - $53,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +5% |
| Amazon FBA Business | $7,000 - $68,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +36% |
| App Development | $17,000 - $110,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +10% |
| Aquaponics Farm | $18,000 - $140,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | -7% |
| Arcade & Gaming Center | $88,000 - $523,000 | $100,000 - $500,000 | +2% |
| ATM Business | $4,000 - $53,000 | $3,000 - $30,000 | +73% |
| Auto Detailing | $8,000 - $64,000 | $5,000 - $75,000 | -10% |
| Auto Repair Shop | $55,000 - $293,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -1% |
| Axe Throwing Venue | $42,000 - $219,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | +4% |
| Bakery | $54,000 - $235,000 | $60,000 - $250,000 | -7% |
| Bar | $85,000 - $347,000 | $100,000 - $400,000 | -14% |
| Barbershop | $40,000 - $149,000 | $50,000 - $150,000 | -6% |
| Beauty Supply Store | $23,000 - $112,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | -25% |
| Bed & Breakfast | $108,000 - $539,000 | $100,000 - $500,000 | +8% |
| Beekeeping Business | $12,000 - $56,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +13% |
| Bike Shop | $23,000 - $146,000 | $30,000 - $200,000 | -27% |
| Auto Body Shop | $37,000 - $215,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -28% |
| Bookkeeping Service | $3,000 - $18,000 | $2,000 - $10,000 | +75% |
| Bookstore | $42,000 - $178,000 | $40,000 - $200,000 | -8% |
| Boutique | $45,000 - $225,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | -10% |
| Bowling Alley | $414,000 - $2,624,000 | $500,000 - $3,000,000 | -13% |
| Brewery | $209,000 - $1,176,000 | $250,000 - $1,500,000 | -21% |
| Campground | $105,000 - $1,026,000 | $100,000 - $1,000,000 | +3% |
| Candy Shop | $21,000 - $104,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +4% |
| Car Rental Business | $52,000 - $488,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | -2% |
| Car Wash | $79,000 - $494,000 | $75,000 - $500,000 | Avg |
| Carpentry Business | $19,000 - $98,000 | $15,000 - $75,000 | +30% |
| Carpet Cleaning Business | $5,000 - $31,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +3% |
| Catering Business | $25,000 - $130,000 | $20,000 - $125,000 | +7% |
| Chiropractic | $84,000 - $305,000 | $100,000 - $350,000 | -14% |
| Christmas Tree Farm | $25,000 - $150,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +46% |
| Cleaning Service | $7,000 - $46,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | -4% |
| Clothing Store | $19,000 - $112,000 | $25,000 - $150,000 | -25% |
| Coding Bootcamp | $8,000 - $78,000 | $10,000 - $100,000 | -22% |
| Coffee Roastery | $22,000 - $267,000 | $20,000 - $300,000 | -10% |
| Coffee Shop | $61,000 - $239,000 | $80,000 - $300,000 | -21% |
| Computer Repair Business | $5,000 - $31,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +3% |
| Concrete Business | $30,000 - $157,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +4% |
| Construction Company | $60,000 - $509,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | +3% |
| Consulting Business | $10,000 - $66,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +38% |
| Convenience Store | $45,000 - $295,000 | $50,000 - $350,000 | -15% |
| Courier & Delivery Service | $7,000 - $56,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +15% |
| Coworking Space | $73,000 - $353,000 | $100,000 - $500,000 | -29% |
| Cybersecurity Firm | $8,000 - $78,000 | $10,000 - $100,000 | -22% |
| Dance Studio | $28,000 - $133,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | -11% |
| Daycare | $44,000 - $184,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -35% |
| Demolition Company | $62,000 - $285,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +16% |
| Dental Practice | $307,000 - $763,000 | $350,000 - $750,000 | -3% |
| Digital Marketing | $9,000 - $59,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +24% |
| Distillery | $86,000 - $793,000 | $100,000 - $1,000,000 | -20% |
| Dog Daycare | $35,000 - $256,000 | $40,000 - $350,000 | -25% |
| Dog Grooming Business | $11,000 - $59,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +17% |
| Dog Training Business | $4,000 - $27,000 | $2,000 - $20,000 | +41% |
| Dog Walking Business | $2,000 - $11,000 | $500 - $5,000 | +136% |
| Donut Shop | $45,000 - $219,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | -12% |
| Driving School | $24,000 - $106,000 | $25,000 - $100,000 | +4% |
| Drone Business | $5,000 - $40,000 | $3,000 - $50,000 | -15% |
| Dropshipping Business | $3,000 - $18,000 | $500 - $10,000 | +100% |
| Electrical | $18,000 - $95,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | -2% |
| Embroidery & Custom Apparel | $8,000 - $45,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | -12% |
| Escape Room | $48,000 - $311,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +3% |
| Etsy Shop | $2,000 - $12,000 | $500 - $5,000 | +155% |
| Event Planning Business | $8,000 - $39,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +34% |
| Excavation Business | $87,000 - $391,000 | $80,000 - $350,000 | +11% |
| Farm | $44,000 - $519,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | +2% |
| Fast Food Franchise | $133,000 - $2,078,000 | $100,000 - $2,500,000 | -15% |
| Fencing Business | $8,000 - $45,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | -12% |
| Financial Advisory Practice | $8,000 - $45,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | -12% |
| Fitness Studio | $37,000 - $215,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -28% |
| Flooring Business | $13,000 - $76,000 | $10,000 - $60,000 | +27% |
| Flower Shop | $30,000 - $161,000 | $30,000 - $175,000 | -7% |
| Food Delivery Service | $15,000 - $87,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | +20% |
| Food Truck | $59,000 - $222,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | +12% |
| Franchise Business | $35,000 - $1,092,000 | $20,000 - $1,000,000 | +10% |
| Garage Door Business | $8,000 - $45,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | -12% |
| Gas Station | $182,000 - $1,388,000 | $250,000 - $2,000,000 | -30% |
| General Contractor | $33,000 - $200,000 | $30,000 - $200,000 | +1% |
| Ghost Kitchen | $21,000 - $104,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +4% |
| Gift Shop | $30,000 - $145,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | -3% |
| Glamping Business | $16,000 - $146,000 | $20,000 - $200,000 | -26% |
| Graphic Design Business | $6,000 - $28,000 | $3,000 - $20,000 | +48% |
| Greenhouse Business | $25,000 - $201,000 | $30,000 - $200,000 | -2% |
| Grocery Store | $102,000 - $1,324,000 | $80,000 - $2,000,000 | -31% |
| Gym | $83,000 - $411,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | -10% |
| Hair Salon | $56,000 - $204,000 | $60,000 - $200,000 | Avg |
| Handyman | $9,000 - $48,000 | $5,000 - $40,000 | +27% |
| Home Health Care Agency | $48,000 - $331,000 | $40,000 - $350,000 | -3% |
| Home Inspection Business | $6,000 - $33,000 | $5,000 - $25,000 | +30% |
| Hostel | $37,000 - $215,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -28% |
| Hotel | $532,000 - $5,028,000 | $500,000 - $5,000,000 | +1% |
| HVAC | $27,000 - $134,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | -5% |
| Ice Cream Shop | $51,000 - $270,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -8% |
| Insurance Agency | $20,000 - $86,000 | $20,000 - $80,000 | +6% |
| Interior Design Business | $5,000 - $31,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +3% |
| IT Services | $16,000 - $99,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | Avg |
| Jewelry Store | $37,000 - $181,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | -27% |
| Juice Bar | $38,000 - $183,000 | $40,000 - $200,000 | -8% |
| Junk Removal Business | $5,000 - $45,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | -9% |
| Landscaping | $14,000 - $81,000 | $10,000 - $80,000 | +6% |
| Language School | $8,000 - $61,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | -19% |
| Laundromat | $143,000 - $784,000 | $200,000 - $1,000,000 | -23% |
| Lavender Farm | $16,000 - $78,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | -22% |
| Law Firm | $41,000 - $193,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | -6% |
| Liquor Store | $86,000 - $333,000 | $100,000 - $400,000 | -16% |
| Locksmith Business | $5,000 - $31,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +3% |
| Managed IT Services | $8,000 - $61,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | -19% |
| Manufacturing Business | $61,000 - $1,031,000 | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | +4% |
| Marketing Agency | $16,000 - $95,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | +31% |
| Martial Arts Studio | $27,000 - $133,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | -11% |
| Masonry Business | $19,000 - $98,000 | $15,000 - $80,000 | +23% |
| Massage Therapy Practice | $5,000 - $45,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | -9% |
| Meal Prep Business | $16,000 - $83,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | -14% |
| Med Spa | $200,000 - $577,000 | $250,000 - $600,000 | -9% |
| Medical Practice | $95,000 - $542,000 | $70,000 - $500,000 | +12% |
| Microgreens Farm | $3,000 - $21,000 | $2,000 - $15,000 | +41% |
| Mini Golf Course | $85,000 - $482,000 | $100,000 - $500,000 | -6% |
| Mobile Mechanic | $8,000 - $53,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +11% |
| Moving Company | $27,000 - $134,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | -5% |
| Mushroom Farm | $10,000 - $78,000 | $10,000 - $80,000 | -2% |
| Music School | $25,000 - $124,000 | $25,000 - $120,000 | +3% |
| Nail Salon | $35,000 - $139,000 | $40,000 - $150,000 | -8% |
| Notary Business | $2,000 - $14,000 | $1,000 - $5,000 | +167% |
| Plant Nursery | $27,000 - $162,000 | $25,000 - $150,000 | +8% |
| Oil Change Shop | $43,000 - $234,000 | $40,000 - $250,000 | -4% |
| Online Coaching Business | $3,000 - $24,000 | $1,000 - $10,000 | +145% |
| Online Store | $4,000 - $45,000 | $2,000 - $30,000 | +53% |
| Painting | $10,000 - $55,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +18% |
| Pawn Shop | $37,000 - $146,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | -27% |
| Personal Training | $13,000 - $91,000 | $10,000 - $100,000 | -5% |
| Pest Control | $16,000 - $81,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | +14% |
| Pet Boarding Facility | $46,000 - $405,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | -18% |
| Pet Sitting Business | $2,000 - $10,000 | $500 - $5,000 | +118% |
| Pet Store | $52,000 - $270,000 | $60,000 - $300,000 | -11% |
| Pharmacy | $272,000 - $1,417,000 | $250,000 - $1,700,000 | -13% |
| Phone Repair Shop | $8,000 - $45,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | -12% |
| Photography Business | $12,000 - $75,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +45% |
| Physical Therapy Clinic | $37,000 - $215,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -28% |
| Pilates Studio | $23,000 - $112,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | -25% |
| Pizza Shop | $66,000 - $257,000 | $75,000 - $300,000 | -14% |
| Plumbing | $17,000 - $92,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | -5% |
| Podcast Studio | $16,000 - $84,000 | $15,000 - $80,000 | +5% |
| Pool Construction Business | $37,000 - $215,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -28% |
| Pool Cleaning & Service | $5,000 - $28,000 | $5,000 - $25,000 | +10% |
| Preschool | $70,000 - $273,000 | $80,000 - $300,000 | -10% |
| Pressure Washing Business | $3,000 - $24,000 | $3,000 - $20,000 | +17% |
| Print-on-Demand Business | $2,000 - $15,000 | $500 - $8,000 | +100% |
| Printing Business | $47,000 - $233,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | -7% |
| Property Management Company | $6,000 - $35,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | -25% |
| Real Estate Agency | $27,000 - $117,000 | $25,000 - $100,000 | +15% |
| Real Estate Investment Business | $26,000 - $473,000 | $20,000 - $500,000 | -4% |
| Recording Studio | $42,000 - $199,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | -4% |
| Restaurant | $82,000 - $323,000 | $75,000 - $250,000 | +25% |
| Retail Store | $40,000 - $224,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | -12% |
| Roofing | $27,000 - $142,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | -1% |
| SaaS Company | $25,000 - $203,000 | $25,000 - $200,000 | +1% |
| Security Company | $16,000 - $107,000 | $10,000 - $100,000 | +12% |
| Self-Storage Facility | $362,000 - $4,256,000 | $500,000 - $5,000,000 | -16% |
| Senior Care Facility | $107,000 - $1,045,000 | $100,000 - $1,500,000 | -28% |
| SEO Agency | $10,000 - $60,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +27% |
| Sign Shop | $16,000 - $78,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | -22% |
| Smoke Shop | $23,000 - $112,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | -25% |
| Solar Installation Business | $37,000 - $215,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -28% |
| Spa | $83,000 - $318,000 | $100,000 - $350,000 | -11% |
| Staffing Agency | $35,000 - $156,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +6% |
| Subscription Box Business | $7,000 - $59,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +20% |
| Swim School | $37,000 - $215,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -28% |
| Tanning Salon | $37,000 - $181,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | -27% |
| Tattoo Shop | $23,000 - $112,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | -25% |
| Tax Preparation Business | $9,000 - $49,000 | $8,000 - $40,000 | +21% |
| Tech Startup | $21,000 - $160,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | +6% |
| Thrift Store | $19,000 - $108,000 | $20,000 - $120,000 | -9% |
| Tire Shop | $53,000 - $258,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +4% |
| Tour Company | $13,000 - $88,000 | $10,000 - $80,000 | +12% |
| Towing Company | $53,000 - $278,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -5% |
| Trampoline Park | $352,000 - $1,622,000 | $500,000 - $2,000,000 | -21% |
| Travel Agency | $7,000 - $42,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +40% |
| Tree Service | $12,000 - $78,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | -22% |
| Trucking Company | $22,000 - $292,000 | $15,000 - $400,000 | -24% |
| Tutoring Business | $4,000 - $21,000 | $2,000 - $15,000 | +47% |
| Used Car Dealer | $47,000 - $325,000 | $50,000 - $350,000 | -7% |
| Vape Shop | $28,000 - $134,000 | $25,000 - $150,000 | -7% |
| Vending Machine Business | $8,000 - $73,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +47% |
| Veterinary Clinic | $277,000 - $1,674,000 | $300,000 - $2,000,000 | -15% |
| Videography Business | $14,000 - $67,000 | $10,000 - $60,000 | +16% |
| Virtual Assistant Business | $2,000 - $13,000 | $500 - $3,000 | +329% |
| Waste Management Business | $36,000 - $433,000 | $30,000 - $500,000 | -12% |
| Web Design Business | $5,000 - $31,000 | $3,000 - $25,000 | +29% |
| Wedding Planning Business | $8,000 - $37,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +29% |
| Welding Business | $20,000 - $115,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +17% |
| Window Cleaning Business | $3,000 - $21,000 | $2,000 - $15,000 | +41% |
| Winery | $76,000 - $916,000 | $100,000 - $1,000,000 | -10% |
| Yoga Studio | $44,000 - $175,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | -12% |
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Local Market Factors in Durham
102.8%
Cost of Living Index
$16-$32
Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr)
1.04x
Labor Rate Index
7.5%
Sales Tax Rate
Local Permit Fees in Durham
| Permit | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Business License | $50 - $250 |
| Food Service Permit | $200 - $500 |
| Liquor License | $1,000 - $5,000 |
| General Contractor License | $100 - $400 |
| Home Occupation Permit | $25 - $100 |
About Starting a Business in Durham
Durham is the anchor of the Research Triangle, home to Duke University and a powerhouse biotech and life sciences cluster. The city's revitalized downtown, including the American Tobacco Campus innovation hub, has become a magnet for tech startups and creative food concepts.
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