How Much Does It Cost to Start a Laundromat in Massachusetts?
Starting a Laundromat in Massachusetts typically costs between $154,000 and $924,000, with a median estimate of $385,000. Massachusetts’s cost of living runs 50% above the national average, which increases commercial rent and labor costs. LLC formation in Massachusetts costs $500 to file. Most laundromat businesses take 3-9 months to launch.
Last updated: May 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Laundromat in Massachusetts?
Low
$154,000
Medium
$385,000
High
$924,000
National average: $100,000 – $600,000
Interactive Startup Cost Calculator
Startup Cost Calculator
Laundromat in Massachusetts
Options
Startup Costs
$334,180
Monthly Costs
$18,480
First Year Total
$555,940
Full Cost Breakdown
| Cost Category | Low | Medium | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment — Washers & Dryers | $61,600 | $154,000 | $385,000 | A 20-machine laundromat (around a dozen washers plus several dryers) is typically a substantial five-figure-to-low-six-figure capital outlay; commercial washers each carry a meaningful four-figure capital cost, and dryers are a similar four-figure line item. |
| Lease & Build-Out | $30,800 | $92,400 | $231,000 | Plumbing upgrades for commercial washers are the most expensive build-out component. |
| Payment Systems | $4,620 | $12,320 | $30,800 | Cashless payment systems meaningfully lift revenue and reduce coin theft. |
| Point-of-Sale & Management System | $770 | $3,080 | $7,700 | Remote monitoring prevents machine downtime from going undetected. |
| Build-Out & Renovations | $7,700 | $23,100 | $61,600 | Customer experience improvements directly impact return visits and word-of-mouth. |
| Business Insurance | $3,080 | $6,160 | $15,400 | Equipment breakdown coverage is critical — washer failures mean revenue loss. |
| Working Capital | $15,400 | $38,500 | $92,400 | Utilities (water, gas, electric) are the largest ongoing expense — typically a meaningful four-figure monthly cost. |
| Vending Machines (optional) | $1,540 | $4,620 | $12,320 | Supply vending typically adds a low-three-figure monthly revenue stream in high-traffic laundromats. |
| Total Startup Cost | $123,970 | $329,560 | $823,900 | Required costs only |
Licenses & Permits in Massachusetts
Licenses & Permits in Massachusetts
General Business License
Massachusetts does not have a statewide general business license, but businesses must register their entity with the Massachusetts Secretary of State (Corporations Division) and register with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue for sales tax and employer tax purposes. Many Massachusetts cities and towns require local business certificates — Boston, Cambridge, Worcester, and other municipalities have their own licensing systems. The state offers a MassTaxConnect portal for tax registration.
Industry-Specific Licenses
- Food Establishment Permit — Massachusetts Department of Public Health or Local Board of HealthCost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Annual
- Home Improvement Contractor Registration — Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business RegulationCost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Biennial
- Cosmetology Shop License — Massachusetts Board of Registration of CosmetologyCost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Biennial
- Real Estate Broker License — Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and SalespersonsCost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Biennial
- Child Care Program License — Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)Cost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Annual
- Common Victualler License and All Alcohol License — Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission or Local License AuthorityCost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Annual
- Marijuana Retailer License — Massachusetts Cannabis Control CommissionCost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Annual
- Transportation Network Company License — Massachusetts Department of Public UtilitiesCost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Annual
Home-Based Business Rules
Massachusetts cities and towns regulate home-based businesses through local zoning bylaws. Boston allows home occupations with restrictions on signage, customer visits, employees, and the proportion of home space used for business. Many Massachusetts communities restrict the types of businesses allowed as home occupations. Massachusetts's Chapter 40A amendments have expanded housing-based business opportunities, but commercial regulations vary widely by municipality.
Monthly Operating Costs
After launch, plan for these ongoing monthly expenses for your Laundromat:
Low
$5,000/mo
Medium
$12,000/mo
High
$30,000/mo
Revenue Potential
Annual Revenue Range
$80,000 – $600,000 (annual)
Profit Margins
20-35%
Break-Even Timeline
24-60 months
How Massachusetts Compares to Neighboring States
Massachusetts is a higher-cost state for starting a Laundromat, with a cost-of-living index of 149.5 (national average is 100). Compared to neighboring New York ($347,500 median startup cost), Massachusetts has higher costs for a Laundromat.
| State | Est. Cost | LLC Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts (current) | $385,000 | $500 |
| New York | $347,500 | $200 |
| Vermont | $272,500 | $125 |
| New Hampshire | $292,500 | $102 |
| Rhode Island | $280,000 | $150 |
| Connecticut | $297,500 | $120 |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- 1
Poor location — laundromats need dense residential areas without washer/dryer access
- 2
Buying used residential equipment instead of commercial-grade machines
- 3
Neglecting cleanliness leading to customer loss
- 4
No remote monitoring causing extended machine downtime
- 5
Insufficient working capital for utility bills during ramp-up
Next Steps to Launch Your Laundromat
- 1
Form your LLC or corporation in Massachusetts — laundromats involve premises liability and equipment financing obligations (filing fee: $500)
- 2
Obtain a Massachusetts business license and any local municipality permit for commercial laundry operations
- 3
Secure a commercial lease with adequate water and sewer hookup capacity — verify Massachusetts utility infrastructure can support commercial laundry volumes
- 4
Finance commercial washers and dryers through manufacturers (Alliance Laundry, Electrolux) or leasing companies — equipment financing typically requires a meaningful down-payment share
- 5
Obtain a Massachusetts water discharge permit if your laundromat discharges above typical residential volumes
- 6
Install card-operated or app-based payment systems (Laundry Lux, PayRange) — coin-only laundromats are declining; cashless systems meaningfully lift revenue
- 7
Get commercial property insurance and general liability — typically a meaningful four-figure annual premium for a typical laundromat
- 8
Set up an attendant schedule or security camera system — unattended laundromats require 24/7 camera coverage to deter theft and vandalism
Frequently Asked Questions
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Start a Laundromat in Other States
See the national overview for Laundromat or browse all businesses you can start in Massachusetts.