How Much Does It Cost to Start a Convenience Store?
Last updated: March 2026
National Average
Low
$50,000
Medium
$280,000
High
$750,000
A small retail store open extended hours selling everyday essentials, snacks, beverages, and tobacco products. Often paired with fuel sales or lottery tickets.
Time to Launch
3-9 months
Profit Margins
2-5%
Break-Even Timeline
18-36 months
Interactive Cost Calculator
Select a state below to see state-adjusted costs.
Startup Cost Calculator
Convenience Store in Nationally
Budget:
$80,000
$100,000
$50,000
$10,000
$5,000
$7,000
$8,000
$25,000
Options
Employees:
One-Time Costs
$285,000
Monthly Costs
$0
First Year Total
$285,000
Startup Costs by State
| State | Low | Medium | High | LLC Fee | Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $42,500 | $238,000 | $637,500 | $50 | 7.0% |
| West Virginia | $43,000 | $240,800 | $645,000 | $100 | 6.0% |
| Alabama | $44,000 | $246,400 | $660,000 | $200 | 4.0% |
| Arkansas | $44,500 | $249,200 | $667,500 | $45 | 6.5% |
| Oklahoma | $44,500 | $249,200 | $667,500 | $100 | 4.5% |
| Kansas | $45,000 | $252,000 | $675,000 | $160 | 6.5% |
| Indiana | $45,500 | $254,800 | $682,500 | $95 | 7.0% |
| Iowa | $45,500 | $254,800 | $682,500 | $50 | 6.0% |
| Michigan | $45,500 | $254,800 | $682,500 | $50 | 6.0% |
| Nebraska | $45,500 | $254,800 | $682,500 | $105 | 5.5% |
| Ohio | $45,500 | $254,800 | $682,500 | $99 | 5.8% |
| Kentucky | $46,000 | $257,600 | $690,000 | $40 | 6.0% |
| Louisiana | $46,000 | $257,600 | $690,000 | $100 | 4.5% |
| Missouri | $46,000 | $257,600 | $690,000 | $50 | 4.2% |
| Tennessee | $46,000 | $257,600 | $690,000 | $300 | 7.0% |
| Texas | $46,000 | $257,600 | $690,000 | $300 | 6.3% |
| Georgia | $47,000 | $263,200 | $705,000 | $100 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | $47,500 | $266,000 | $712,500 | $150 | 6.3% |
| New Mexico | $47,500 | $266,000 | $712,500 | $50 | 5.1% |
| Wisconsin | $47,500 | $266,000 | $712,500 | $130 | 5.0% |
| North Carolina | $48,000 | $268,800 | $720,000 | $125 | 4.8% |
| South Carolina | $48,000 | $268,800 | $720,000 | $110 | 6.0% |
| South Dakota | $48,500 | $271,600 | $727,500 | $150 | 4.5% |
| Minnesota | $49,000 | $274,400 | $735,000 | $155 | 6.9% |
| North Dakota | $49,500 | $277,200 | $742,500 | $135 | 5.0% |
| Wyoming | $50,000 | $280,000 | $750,000 | $100 | 4.0% |
| Nevada | $51,000 | $285,600 | $765,000 | $425 | 6.8% |
| Arizona | $51,500 | $288,400 | $772,500 | $50 | 5.6% |
| Florida | $51,500 | $288,400 | $772,500 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Idaho | $51,500 | $288,400 | $772,500 | $100 | 6.0% |
| Pennsylvania | $51,500 | $288,400 | $772,500 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Delaware | $52,000 | $291,200 | $780,000 | $110 | 0.0% |
| Virginia | $52,000 | $291,200 | $780,000 | $100 | 4.3% |
| Colorado | $53,000 | $296,800 | $795,000 | $50 | 2.9% |
| Montana | $53,000 | $296,800 | $795,000 | $70 | 0.0% |
| Utah | $53,000 | $296,800 | $795,000 | $54 | 4.8% |
| Oregon | $56,000 | $313,600 | $840,000 | $100 | 0.0% |
| Vermont | $56,000 | $313,600 | $840,000 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Maine | $57,000 | $319,200 | $855,000 | $175 | 5.5% |
| Rhode Island | $58,000 | $324,800 | $870,000 | $150 | 7.0% |
| New Hampshire | $58,500 | $327,600 | $877,500 | $102 | 0.0% |
| Washington | $59,000 | $330,400 | $885,000 | $200 | 6.5% |
| Connecticut | $59,500 | $333,200 | $892,500 | $120 | 6.3% |
| New Jersey | $62,500 | $350,000 | $937,500 | $125 | 6.6% |
| Alaska | $63,500 | $355,600 | $952,500 | $250 | 0.0% |
| Maryland | $64,500 | $361,200 | $967,500 | $100 | 6.0% |
| California | $67,500 | $378,000 | $1,012,500 | $70 | 7.3% |
| New York | $69,500 | $389,200 | $1,042,500 | $200 | 4.0% |
| Massachusetts | $75,000 | $420,000 | $1,125,000 | $500 | 6.3% |
| Hawaii | $96,500 | $540,400 | $1,447,500 | $50 | 4.0% |
Cheapest & Most Expensive States
5 Cheapest States
- Mississippi$238,000
- West Virginia$240,800
- Alabama$246,400
- Arkansas$249,200
- Oklahoma$249,200
5 Most Expensive States
- Hawaii$540,400
- Massachusetts$420,000
- New York$389,200
- California$378,000
- Maryland$361,200
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening a convenience store costs $50,000 to $600,000 without fuel and $300,000-$1,000,000+ with fuel systems. A small store without gas pumps in existing retail space can open for $50,000-$150,000. Adding a full fuel system with underground storage tanks adds $200,000-$600,000 to startup costs.
Convenience stores generate high revenue but operate on thin net margins of 2-5%. A store grossing $1,200,000/year nets $24,000-$60,000 — modest returns for the investment. Stores with fuel, lottery, and prepared food dramatically improve margins. Location is everything — high-traffic areas near schools, offices, and transit are ideal.
Buying an existing convenience store typically costs $80,000-$500,000 depending on revenue, location, and included assets. Common valuation methods: 2-4x EBITDA or 1-2% of annual gross sales for location fees. Gas stations with stores command premium prices of $500,000-$3,000,000.
Required licenses include business license ($50-$200), tobacco retail permit ($100-$1,000), state lottery license ($100-$500), food service permit if selling prepared food ($100-$500), alcohol license if selling beer/wine ($500-$25,000+), and fuel dealer license if selling gas ($100-$500 annually).
Gas stations with convenience stores are more profitable than stores alone due to higher traffic. Fuel margins are typically $0.05-$0.15 per gallon. A station selling 100,000 gallons/month at $0.10 margin earns $10,000/month just from fuel. The real profit comes from inside sales — customers who stop for gas buy snacks, beverages, and prepared food.