Skip to content

Cheapest Businesses to Start

All 60 business types ranked by minimum startup cost — 2026 data

We ranked all 60 business types in our database by their minimum startup cost, from lowest to highest. Every figure comes directly from the line-item breakdowns in our interactive calculators, so you can see exactly where each dollar goes.

The cheapest businesses to start tend to be service-based: you sell your time and expertise instead of inventory or equipment. That means lower risk, faster break-even, and the ability to scale revenue before scaling costs.

Use the rankings below to compare options side by side. Click any business type to open its full calculator with cost categories, tips, and a budget slider you can adjust to your situation.

Dropshipping Business ($500)

Cheapest

Nightclub ($1,100,000)

Most Expensive

$15,000

Median Min. Cost

14 business types

Under $5K

All 60 Business Types — Ranked by Cost

#1

Dropshipping Business

$500 – $15K

#2

Pet Sitting Business

$1K – $20K

#3

Tutoring Business

$1K – $25K

#4

Cleaning Business

$2K – $50K

#5

Clothing Brand

$2K – $75K

#6

E-Commerce Store

$2K – $50K

#7

Consulting Business

$2K – $50K

#8

Vending Machine Business

$3K – $50K

#9

Painting Business

$3K – $60K

#10

Auto Detailing

$3K – $30K

#11

Personal Training Business

$3K – $50K

#12

Accounting Firm

$3K – $60K

#13

App Development Business

$3K – $50K

#14

Lawn Care Business

$3K – $50K

#15

Landscaping Business

$5K – $100K

#16

Photography Business

$5K – $50K

#17

Massage Therapy Business

$5K – $80K

#18

Janitorial Business

$5K – $75K

#19

Mobile Auto Detailing

$5K – $240K

#20

HVAC Business

$10K – $150K

#21

Moving Company

$10K – $150K

#22

Daycare

$10K – $500K

#23

Trucking Company

$10K – $200K

#24

Dog Grooming Business

$10K – $100K

#25

Plumbing Business

$10K – $150K

#26

Catering Business

$10K – $150K

#27

Electrical Business

$10K – $120K

#28

Real Estate Agency

$10K – $150K

#29

Yoga Studio

$15K – $200K

#30

Flower Shop

$15K – $200K

#31

Roofing Business

$15K – $150K

#32

Thrift Store

$15K – $150K

#33

Bakery

$20K – $400K

#34

Clothing Boutique

$20K – $300K

#35

Ice Cream Shop

$20K – $300K

#36

Juice Bar

$20K – $250K

#37

Coffee Shop

$25K – $375K

#38

Food Truck

$28K – $200K

#39

Auto Repair Shop

$30K – $250K

#40

Pet Store

$30K – $300K

#41

Towing Company

$30K – $250K

#42

Tire Shop

$30K – $250K

#43

Car Wash

$50K – $800K

#44

Nail Salon

$50K – $250K

#45

Barbershop

$50K – $200K

#46

Bar

$50K – $500K

#47

Gym

$50K – $500K

#48

Liquor Store

$50K – $500K

#49

Convenience Store

$50K – $350K

#50

Mobile Dog Grooming

$56K – $153K

#51

Cafe

$80K – $375K

#52

Restaurant

$100K – $1M

#53

Med Spa

$100K – $750K

#54

Oil Change Business

$100K – $917K

#55

Tool Truck

$108K – $383K

#56

Dental Practice

$150K – $800K

#57

Laundromat

$200K – $1M

#58

Gas Station

$250K – $2.5M

#59

Sports Bar

$1M – $2.2M

#60

Nightclub

$1.1M – $2.7M

Cheapest Businesses to Start from Home

Starting from home eliminates the single largest expense most entrepreneurs face: commercial rent. Without a storefront or office lease, your startup costs drop dramatically and your break-even timeline shrinks from months to weeks. These are the 19 home-based business types in our database, sorted from cheapest to most expensive.

Dropshipping Business

$500 – $15K

Pet Sitting Business

$1K – $20K

Tutoring Business

$1K – $25K

Cleaning Business

$2K – $50K

E-Commerce Store

$2K – $50K

Consulting Business

$2K – $50K

Painting Business

$3K – $60K

Auto Detailing

$3K – $30K

Personal Training Business

$3K – $50K

Accounting Firm

$3K – $60K

App Development Business

$3K – $50K

Lawn Care Business

$3K – $50K

Landscaping Business

$5K – $100K

Photography Business

$5K – $50K

Massage Therapy Business

$5K – $80K

Mobile Auto Detailing

$5K – $240K

Dog Grooming Business

$10K – $100K

Real Estate Agency

$10K – $150K

Mobile Dog Grooming

$56K – $153K

Tips for Starting a Home Business

  • Designate a dedicated workspace. Even a corner desk counts for productivity and tax deductions.
  • Register your business and open a separate bank account from day one to keep finances clean.
  • Check your homeowner's or renter's insurance. Most standard policies do not cover business equipment or liability.
  • Set clear working hours and communicate them to household members to maintain boundaries.
  • Start lean: use free or low-cost tools for invoicing, scheduling, and marketing before upgrading to paid software.

Browse by Budget

Under $5KUnder $10KUnder $20KUnder $50KUnder $100K

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the absolute cheapest business to start?

Based on our data, Dropshipping Business ranks #1 with a minimum startup cost of just $500. It tops our list because it requires minimal equipment and no commercial space, making it accessible to almost anyone.

How many businesses can you start for under $10,000?

Our data shows 19 out of 60 business types can be started for under $10,000. These are primarily service-based and online businesses where your skills and time are the main investment, not equipment or inventory.

Are cheap businesses less profitable?

Not at all. Low startup cost does not mean low profit. Many of the cheapest businesses on our list (consulting, cleaning services, tutoring) have profit margins above 50% because overhead stays low even as revenue grows. The key advantage is a faster path to profitability since you have less capital to recoup.

What is the cheapest business to start from home?

Based on our data, Dropshipping Business is one of the cheapest home-based businesses to start, with costs beginning at $500. Several other home businesses also launch for under $2,000, making them accessible to almost anyone.

Do I need a business license to work from home?

Requirements vary by location. Most cities require a general business license ($50–$400), and some require a home occupation permit. Check your local zoning laws. Certain residential zones restrict client visits or signage. Your state may also require a sales tax permit if you sell physical products.

What makes a business 'low overhead'?

A low-overhead business has minimal recurring monthly costs, typically under $5,000/month at the budget tier. These businesses avoid expensive commercial leases, large inventory commitments, and salaried staff. They tend to be service-based, home-based, or digital, where the owner's time and skills are the primary asset rather than physical infrastructure.