How Much Does It Cost to Start a Laundromat?
Last updated: March 2026
National Average
Low
$100,000
Medium
$250,000
High
$600,000
Start a laundromat offering self-service coin-operated or card-operated washers and dryers to the public.
Time to Launch
3-9 months
Profit Margins
20-35%
Break-Even Timeline
24-60 months
Interactive Cost Calculator
Select a state below to see state-adjusted costs.
Startup Cost Calculator
Laundromat in Nationally
Budget:
$100,000
$60,000
$8,000
$2,000
$3,000
$15,000
$4,000
$25,000
Options
Employees:
One-Time Costs
$217,000
Monthly Costs
$0
First Year Total
$217,000
Startup Costs by State
| State | Low | Medium | High | LLC Fee | Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $85,000 | $212,500 | $510,000 | $50 | 7.0% |
| West Virginia | $86,000 | $215,000 | $516,000 | $100 | 6.0% |
| Alabama | $88,000 | $220,000 | $528,000 | $200 | 4.0% |
| Arkansas | $89,000 | $222,500 | $534,000 | $45 | 6.5% |
| Oklahoma | $89,000 | $222,500 | $534,000 | $100 | 4.5% |
| Kansas | $90,000 | $225,000 | $540,000 | $160 | 6.5% |
| Indiana | $91,000 | $227,500 | $546,000 | $95 | 7.0% |
| Iowa | $91,000 | $227,500 | $546,000 | $50 | 6.0% |
| Michigan | $91,000 | $227,500 | $546,000 | $50 | 6.0% |
| Nebraska | $91,000 | $227,500 | $546,000 | $105 | 5.5% |
| Ohio | $91,000 | $227,500 | $546,000 | $99 | 5.8% |
| Kentucky | $92,000 | $230,000 | $552,000 | $40 | 6.0% |
| Louisiana | $92,000 | $230,000 | $552,000 | $100 | 4.5% |
| Missouri | $92,000 | $230,000 | $552,000 | $50 | 4.2% |
| Tennessee | $92,000 | $230,000 | $552,000 | $300 | 7.0% |
| Texas | $92,000 | $230,000 | $552,000 | $300 | 6.3% |
| Georgia | $94,000 | $235,000 | $564,000 | $100 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | $95,000 | $237,500 | $570,000 | $150 | 6.3% |
| New Mexico | $95,000 | $237,500 | $570,000 | $50 | 5.1% |
| Wisconsin | $95,000 | $237,500 | $570,000 | $130 | 5.0% |
| North Carolina | $96,000 | $240,000 | $576,000 | $125 | 4.8% |
| South Carolina | $96,000 | $240,000 | $576,000 | $110 | 6.0% |
| South Dakota | $97,000 | $242,500 | $582,000 | $150 | 4.5% |
| Minnesota | $98,000 | $245,000 | $588,000 | $155 | 6.9% |
| North Dakota | $99,000 | $247,500 | $594,000 | $135 | 5.0% |
| Wyoming | $100,000 | $250,000 | $600,000 | $100 | 4.0% |
| Nevada | $102,000 | $255,000 | $612,000 | $425 | 6.8% |
| Arizona | $103,000 | $257,500 | $618,000 | $50 | 5.6% |
| Florida | $103,000 | $257,500 | $618,000 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Idaho | $103,000 | $257,500 | $618,000 | $100 | 6.0% |
| Pennsylvania | $103,000 | $257,500 | $618,000 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Delaware | $104,000 | $260,000 | $624,000 | $110 | 0.0% |
| Virginia | $104,000 | $260,000 | $624,000 | $100 | 4.3% |
| Colorado | $106,000 | $265,000 | $636,000 | $50 | 2.9% |
| Montana | $106,000 | $265,000 | $636,000 | $70 | 0.0% |
| Utah | $106,000 | $265,000 | $636,000 | $54 | 4.8% |
| Oregon | $112,000 | $280,000 | $672,000 | $100 | 0.0% |
| Vermont | $112,000 | $280,000 | $672,000 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Maine | $114,000 | $285,000 | $684,000 | $175 | 5.5% |
| Rhode Island | $116,000 | $290,000 | $696,000 | $150 | 7.0% |
| New Hampshire | $117,000 | $292,500 | $702,000 | $102 | 0.0% |
| Washington | $118,000 | $295,000 | $708,000 | $200 | 6.5% |
| Connecticut | $119,000 | $297,500 | $714,000 | $120 | 6.3% |
| New Jersey | $125,000 | $312,500 | $750,000 | $125 | 6.6% |
| Alaska | $127,000 | $317,500 | $762,000 | $250 | 0.0% |
| Maryland | $129,000 | $322,500 | $774,000 | $100 | 6.0% |
| California | $135,000 | $337,500 | $810,000 | $70 | 7.3% |
| New York | $139,000 | $347,500 | $834,000 | $200 | 4.0% |
| Massachusetts | $150,000 | $375,000 | $900,000 | $500 | 6.3% |
| Hawaii | $193,000 | $482,500 | $1,158,000 | $50 | 4.0% |
Cheapest & Most Expensive States
5 Cheapest States
- Mississippi$212,500
- West Virginia$215,000
- Alabama$220,000
- Arkansas$222,500
- Oklahoma$222,500
5 Most Expensive States
- Hawaii$482,500
- Massachusetts$375,000
- New York$347,500
- California$337,500
- Maryland$322,500
Frequently Asked Questions
A laundromat requires $100,000–$250,000 to start, with commercial washer/dryer equipment being the largest cost ($40,000–$100,000). A 1,500 sq ft location with 20 machines is a typical starter setup. Acquiring an existing laundromat ($75,000–$300,000) is lower risk than building from scratch.
A well-located laundromat with 20 machines at $8–$12 average revenue per machine daily generates $4,800–$7,200/month gross. After utilities ($2,000–$4,000), rent ($2,000–$4,000), and supplies, net margins of 20–30% are typical. High-traffic urban locations can generate $15,000–$30,000/month gross.
High-density apartment areas where residents lack in-unit washers/dryers. Look for 10,000+ potential customers within 1 mile and low competitor density. Near grocery stores (shared parking) and on major corridors increases visibility. Avoid neighborhoods with high owner-occupied home rates.
Acquiring an existing laundromat is lower risk — established revenue, existing equipment, and proven location. Expect to pay 3–5x annual net income. New construction gives equipment and design control but takes 6–12 months longer to open and carries location risk. Most new entrants purchase existing locations.