How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business in Seattle, WA?
Population: 737,015 | Cost of living: 147.1% | Sales tax: 10.25% | Min wage: $19.97
Startup Costs by Industry in Seattle
| Industry | Estimated Startup Cost | National Average | Local Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting Firm | $24,000 - $101,000 | $15,000 - $60,000 | +67% |
| Acupuncture Practice | $14,000 - $81,000 | $10,000 - $60,000 | +36% |
| Affiliate Marketing Business | $3,000 - $20,000 | $500 - $5,000 | +318% |
| After-School Program | $27,000 - $164,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +59% |
| AI Consulting Business | $9,000 - $64,000 | $2,000 - $50,000 | +40% |
| Airbnb Rental Business | $13,000 - $66,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +32% |
| Amazon FBA Business | $9,000 - $80,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +62% |
| App Development | $22,000 - $152,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +51% |
| Aquaponics Farm | $22,000 - $169,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | +12% |
| Arcade & Gaming Center | $117,000 - $719,000 | $100,000 - $500,000 | +39% |
| ATM Business | $5,000 - $54,000 | $3,000 - $30,000 | +79% |
| Auto Detailing | $11,000 - $73,000 | $5,000 - $75,000 | +5% |
| Auto Repair Shop | $72,000 - $399,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +35% |
| Axe Throwing Venue | $60,000 - $337,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | +59% |
| Bakery | $72,000 - $314,000 | $60,000 - $250,000 | +25% |
| Bar | $112,000 - $465,000 | $100,000 - $400,000 | +15% |
| Barbershop | $53,000 - $204,000 | $50,000 - $150,000 | +29% |
| Beauty Supply Store | $38,000 - $186,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +24% |
| Bed & Breakfast | $180,000 - $897,000 | $100,000 - $500,000 | +80% |
| Beekeeping Business | $14,000 - $65,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +32% |
| Bike Shop | $38,000 - $245,000 | $30,000 - $200,000 | +23% |
| Auto Body Shop | $63,000 - $364,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +22% |
| Bookkeeping Service | $3,000 - $18,000 | $2,000 - $10,000 | +75% |
| Bookstore | $55,000 - $246,000 | $40,000 - $200,000 | +25% |
| Boutique | $58,000 - $305,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +21% |
| Bowling Alley | $565,000 - $3,733,000 | $500,000 - $3,000,000 | +23% |
| Brewery | $310,000 - $1,751,000 | $250,000 - $1,500,000 | +18% |
| Campground | $161,000 - $1,671,000 | $100,000 - $1,000,000 | +67% |
| Candy Shop | $29,000 - $142,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +43% |
| Car Rental Business | $59,000 - $537,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | +8% |
| Car Wash | $110,000 - $640,000 | $75,000 - $500,000 | +30% |
| Carpentry Business | $23,000 - $122,000 | $15,000 - $75,000 | +61% |
| Carpet Cleaning Business | $7,000 - $46,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +51% |
| Catering Business | $32,000 - $165,000 | $20,000 - $125,000 | +36% |
| Chiropractic | $108,000 - $397,000 | $100,000 - $350,000 | +12% |
| Christmas Tree Farm | $35,000 - $224,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +116% |
| Cleaning Service | $9,000 - $57,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +20% |
| Clothing Store | $32,000 - $186,000 | $25,000 - $150,000 | +25% |
| Coding Bootcamp | $14,000 - $128,000 | $10,000 - $100,000 | +29% |
| Coffee Roastery | $28,000 - $338,000 | $20,000 - $300,000 | +14% |
| Coffee Shop | $79,000 - $316,000 | $80,000 - $300,000 | +4% |
| Computer Repair Business | $7,000 - $46,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +51% |
| Concrete Business | $33,000 - $176,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +16% |
| Construction Company | $69,000 - $576,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | +17% |
| Consulting Business | $13,000 - $81,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +71% |
| Convenience Store | $66,000 - $429,000 | $50,000 - $350,000 | +24% |
| Courier & Delivery Service | $9,000 - $65,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +35% |
| Coworking Space | $125,000 - $601,000 | $100,000 - $500,000 | +21% |
| Cybersecurity Firm | $14,000 - $128,000 | $10,000 - $100,000 | +29% |
| Dance Studio | $41,000 - $198,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +33% |
| Daycare | $63,000 - $272,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -4% |
| Demolition Company | $68,000 - $309,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +26% |
| Dental Practice | $365,000 - $922,000 | $350,000 - $750,000 | +17% |
| Digital Marketing | $12,000 - $85,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +76% |
| Distillery | $127,000 - $1,176,000 | $100,000 - $1,000,000 | +18% |
| Dog Daycare | $58,000 - $456,000 | $40,000 - $350,000 | +32% |
| Dog Grooming Business | $15,000 - $92,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +78% |
| Dog Training Business | $5,000 - $40,000 | $2,000 - $20,000 | +105% |
| Dog Walking Business | $4,000 - $17,000 | $500 - $5,000 | +282% |
| Donut Shop | $66,000 - $314,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +27% |
| Driving School | $30,000 - $133,000 | $25,000 - $100,000 | +30% |
| Drone Business | $6,000 - $48,000 | $3,000 - $50,000 | +2% |
| Dropshipping Business | $4,000 - $26,000 | $500 - $10,000 | +186% |
| Electrical | $21,000 - $107,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +11% |
| Embroidery & Custom Apparel | $14,000 - $69,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +38% |
| Escape Room | $74,000 - $485,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +60% |
| Etsy Shop | $3,000 - $18,000 | $500 - $5,000 | +282% |
| Event Planning Business | $10,000 - $49,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +69% |
| Excavation Business | $93,000 - $419,000 | $80,000 - $350,000 | +19% |
| Farm | $57,000 - $795,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | +55% |
| Fast Food Franchise | $200,000 - $3,515,000 | $100,000 - $2,500,000 | +43% |
| Fencing Business | $14,000 - $69,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +38% |
| Financial Advisory Practice | $14,000 - $69,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +38% |
| Fitness Studio | $63,000 - $364,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +22% |
| Flooring Business | $15,000 - $86,000 | $10,000 - $60,000 | +44% |
| Flower Shop | $40,000 - $217,000 | $30,000 - $175,000 | +25% |
| Food Delivery Service | $20,000 - $113,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | +56% |
| Food Truck | $70,000 - $254,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | +30% |
| Franchise Business | $40,000 - $1,746,000 | $20,000 - $1,000,000 | +75% |
| Garage Door Business | $14,000 - $69,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +38% |
| Gas Station | $311,000 - $2,381,000 | $250,000 - $2,000,000 | +20% |
| General Contractor | $37,000 - $228,000 | $30,000 - $200,000 | +15% |
| Ghost Kitchen | $29,000 - $142,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +43% |
| Gift Shop | $40,000 - $202,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +34% |
| Glamping Business | $26,000 - $245,000 | $20,000 - $200,000 | +23% |
| Graphic Design Business | $8,000 - $35,000 | $3,000 - $20,000 | +87% |
| Greenhouse Business | $32,000 - $249,000 | $30,000 - $200,000 | +22% |
| Grocery Store | $147,000 - $1,998,000 | $80,000 - $2,000,000 | +3% |
| Gym | $110,000 - $554,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | +21% |
| Hair Salon | $74,000 - $276,000 | $60,000 - $200,000 | +35% |
| Handyman | $11,000 - $58,000 | $5,000 - $40,000 | +53% |
| Home Health Care Agency | $62,000 - $431,000 | $40,000 - $350,000 | +26% |
| Home Inspection Business | $7,000 - $35,000 | $5,000 - $25,000 | +40% |
| Hostel | $63,000 - $364,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +22% |
| Hotel | $792,000 - $8,008,000 | $500,000 - $5,000,000 | +60% |
| HVAC | $30,000 - $151,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | +6% |
| Ice Cream Shop | $65,000 - $348,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +18% |
| Insurance Agency | $29,000 - $122,000 | $20,000 - $80,000 | +51% |
| Interior Design Business | $7,000 - $46,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +51% |
| IT Services | $20,000 - $116,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +18% |
| Jewelry Store | $63,000 - $305,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +23% |
| Juice Bar | $51,000 - $245,000 | $40,000 - $200,000 | +23% |
| Junk Removal Business | $7,000 - $69,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +38% |
| Landscaping | $16,000 - $92,000 | $10,000 - $80,000 | +20% |
| Language School | $14,000 - $99,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | +33% |
| Laundromat | $184,000 - $1,061,000 | $200,000 - $1,000,000 | +4% |
| Lavender Farm | $26,000 - $128,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +28% |
| Law Firm | $58,000 - $277,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | +34% |
| Liquor Store | $127,000 - $487,000 | $100,000 - $400,000 | +23% |
| Locksmith Business | $7,000 - $46,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +51% |
| Managed IT Services | $14,000 - $99,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | +33% |
| Manufacturing Business | $82,000 - $1,364,000 | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | +38% |
| Marketing Agency | $22,000 - $132,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | +81% |
| Martial Arts Studio | $39,000 - $193,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +29% |
| Masonry Business | $21,000 - $109,000 | $15,000 - $80,000 | +37% |
| Massage Therapy Practice | $7,000 - $69,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +38% |
| Meal Prep Business | $23,000 - $113,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +18% |
| Med Spa | $242,000 - $717,000 | $250,000 - $600,000 | +13% |
| Medical Practice | $135,000 - $793,000 | $70,000 - $500,000 | +63% |
| Microgreens Farm | $3,000 - $22,000 | $2,000 - $15,000 | +47% |
| Mini Golf Course | $127,000 - $746,000 | $100,000 - $500,000 | +46% |
| Mobile Mechanic | $9,000 - $61,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +27% |
| Moving Company | $30,000 - $151,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | +6% |
| Mushroom Farm | $15,000 - $117,000 | $10,000 - $80,000 | +47% |
| Music School | $35,000 - $175,000 | $25,000 - $120,000 | +45% |
| Nail Salon | $47,000 - $189,000 | $40,000 - $150,000 | +24% |
| Notary Business | $2,000 - $15,000 | $1,000 - $5,000 | +183% |
| Plant Nursery | $38,000 - $233,000 | $25,000 - $150,000 | +55% |
| Oil Change Shop | $58,000 - $324,000 | $40,000 - $250,000 | +32% |
| Online Coaching Business | $5,000 - $32,000 | $1,000 - $10,000 | +236% |
| Online Store | $5,000 - $51,000 | $2,000 - $30,000 | +75% |
| Painting | $12,000 - $65,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +40% |
| Pawn Shop | $63,000 - $245,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | +23% |
| Personal Training | $16,000 - $126,000 | $10,000 - $100,000 | +29% |
| Pest Control | $19,000 - $93,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | +32% |
| Pet Boarding Facility | $75,000 - $725,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | +45% |
| Pet Sitting Business | $4,000 - $16,000 | $500 - $5,000 | +264% |
| Pet Store | $69,000 - $368,000 | $60,000 - $300,000 | +21% |
| Pharmacy | $358,000 - $1,873,000 | $250,000 - $1,700,000 | +14% |
| Phone Repair Shop | $14,000 - $69,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +38% |
| Photography Business | $13,000 - $101,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +90% |
| Physical Therapy Clinic | $63,000 - $364,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +22% |
| Pilates Studio | $38,000 - $186,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +24% |
| Pizza Shop | $96,000 - $372,000 | $75,000 - $300,000 | +25% |
| Plumbing | $19,000 - $104,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +7% |
| Podcast Studio | $24,000 - $120,000 | $15,000 - $80,000 | +52% |
| Pool Construction Business | $63,000 - $364,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +22% |
| Pool Cleaning & Service | $7,000 - $40,000 | $5,000 - $25,000 | +57% |
| Preschool | $97,000 - $388,000 | $80,000 - $300,000 | +28% |
| Pressure Washing Business | $4,000 - $25,000 | $3,000 - $20,000 | +26% |
| Print-on-Demand Business | $4,000 - $22,000 | $500 - $8,000 | +206% |
| Printing Business | $59,000 - $296,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +18% |
| Property Management Company | $8,000 - $54,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +13% |
| Real Estate Agency | $39,000 - $167,000 | $25,000 - $100,000 | +65% |
| Real Estate Investment Business | $42,000 - $869,000 | $20,000 - $500,000 | +75% |
| Recording Studio | $56,000 - $267,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | +29% |
| Restaurant | $108,000 - $431,000 | $75,000 - $250,000 | +66% |
| Retail Store | $52,000 - $313,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +22% |
| Roofing | $30,000 - $161,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | +12% |
| SaaS Company | $31,000 - $231,000 | $25,000 - $200,000 | +16% |
| Security Company | $19,000 - $122,000 | $10,000 - $100,000 | +28% |
| Self-Storage Facility | $637,000 - $8,024,000 | $500,000 - $5,000,000 | +57% |
| Senior Care Facility | $157,000 - $1,720,000 | $100,000 - $1,500,000 | +17% |
| SEO Agency | $13,000 - $86,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +80% |
| Sign Shop | $26,000 - $128,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +28% |
| Smoke Shop | $38,000 - $186,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +24% |
| Solar Installation Business | $63,000 - $364,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +22% |
| Spa | $111,000 - $430,000 | $100,000 - $350,000 | +20% |
| Staffing Agency | $49,000 - $218,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +48% |
| Subscription Box Business | $9,000 - $69,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +42% |
| Swim School | $63,000 - $364,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +22% |
| Tanning Salon | $63,000 - $305,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +23% |
| Tattoo Shop | $38,000 - $186,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +24% |
| Tax Preparation Business | $12,000 - $71,000 | $8,000 - $40,000 | +73% |
| Tech Startup | $27,000 - $220,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | +45% |
| Thrift Store | $29,000 - $166,000 | $20,000 - $120,000 | +39% |
| Tire Shop | $70,000 - $349,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +40% |
| Tour Company | $16,000 - $100,000 | $10,000 - $80,000 | +29% |
| Towing Company | $65,000 - $340,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +16% |
| Trampoline Park | $487,000 - $2,276,000 | $500,000 - $2,000,000 | +11% |
| Travel Agency | $10,000 - $58,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +94% |
| Tree Service | $20,000 - $128,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +29% |
| Trucking Company | $24,000 - $310,000 | $15,000 - $400,000 | -20% |
| Tutoring Business | $5,000 - $28,000 | $2,000 - $15,000 | +94% |
| Used Car Dealer | $60,000 - $410,000 | $50,000 - $350,000 | +18% |
| Vape Shop | $38,000 - $184,000 | $25,000 - $150,000 | +27% |
| Vending Machine Business | $8,000 - $74,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +49% |
| Veterinary Clinic | $415,000 - $2,703,000 | $300,000 - $2,000,000 | +36% |
| Videography Business | $16,000 - $77,000 | $10,000 - $60,000 | +33% |
| Virtual Assistant Business | $2,000 - $13,000 | $500 - $3,000 | +329% |
| Waste Management Business | $40,000 - $466,000 | $30,000 - $500,000 | -5% |
| Web Design Business | $6,000 - $37,000 | $3,000 - $25,000 | +54% |
| Wedding Planning Business | $10,000 - $47,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +63% |
| Welding Business | $25,000 - $147,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +50% |
| Window Cleaning Business | $3,000 - $22,000 | $2,000 - $15,000 | +47% |
| Winery | $101,000 - $1,360,000 | $100,000 - $1,000,000 | +33% |
| Yoga Studio | $62,000 - $251,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | +25% |
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Local Market Factors in Seattle
147.1%
Cost of Living Index
$28-$72
Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr)
1.4x
Labor Rate Index
10.25%
Sales Tax Rate
Local Permit Fees in Seattle
| Permit | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Business License | $110 - $400 |
| Food Service Permit | $400 - $1,000 |
| Liquor License | $2,000 - $10,000 |
| General Contractor License | $200 - $600 |
| Home Occupation Permit | $75 - $200 |
About Starting a Business in Seattle
Seattle is home to Amazon, Microsoft, and a dense cluster of tech giants that drive a high-wage economy with no state income tax. The city's coffee culture, thriving food scene, and strong demand for professional services create opportunities despite premium startup costs.
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