How Much Does It Cost to Start a Laundromat in Mississippi?

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Starting a Laundromat in Mississippi typically costs between $85,000 and $510,000, with a median estimate of $212,500. Mississippi’s cost of living is 15% below the national average, which helps reduce operating expenses like commercial rent and labor. LLC formation in Mississippi costs $50 to file. Most laundromat businesses take 3-9 months to launch.

Last updated: March 2026

Laundromat startup costs illustration — typical equipment and setup

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Laundromat in Mississippi?

Low

$85,000

Medium

$212,500

High

$510,000

National average: $100,000 – $600,000

Interactive Startup Cost Calculator

Startup Cost Calculator

Laundromat in Mississippi

Budget:

Equipment — Washers & Dryers

$85,000

Lease & Build-Out

$51,000

Payment Systems

$6,800

Point-of-Sale & Management System

$1,700

Vending Machines

$2,550

Build-Out & Renovations

$12,750

Business Insurance

$3,400

Working Capital

$21,250

Options

Include 3 months working capital

Employees:Just Me1–34–10

One-Time Costs

$184,450

Monthly Costs

First Year Total

$184,450

Full Cost Breakdown

Cost Category	Low	Medium	High	Notes
Equipment — Washers & Dryers	$34,000	$85,000	$212,500	20-machine laundromat: 12 washers ($3,000–$8,000 each) + 8 dryers ($2,000–$5,000 each).
Lease & Build-Out	$17,000	$51,000	$127,500	Plumbing upgrades for commercial washers are the most expensive build-out component.
Payment Systems	$2,550	$6,800	$17,000	Cashless payment systems increase revenue 15–25% and reduce coin theft.
Point-of-Sale & Management System	$425	$1,700	$4,250	Remote monitoring prevents machine downtime from going undetected.
Build-Out & Renovations	$4,250	$12,750	$34,000	Customer experience improvements directly impact return visits and word-of-mouth.
Business Insurance	$1,700	$3,400	$8,500	Equipment breakdown coverage is critical — washer failures mean revenue loss.
Working Capital	$8,500	$21,250	$51,000	Utilities (water, gas, electric) are the largest ongoing expense — $2,000–$6,000/month.
Vending Machines (optional)	$850	$2,550	$6,800	Supply vending generates $200–$600/month additional revenue in high-traffic laundromats.
Total Startup Cost	$68,425	$181,900	$454,750	Required costs only

Licenses & Permits in Mississippi

General Business License

Mississippi does not have a statewide general business license. Businesses must register their entity with the Mississippi Secretary of State and register with the Mississippi Department of Revenue for sales tax purposes. Individual cities and counties in Mississippi issue their own business licenses — Jackson, Gulfport, Biloxi, and other municipalities have their own licensing programs. Mississippi offers an online business registration portal through the Secretary of State's website.

Industry-Specific Licenses

Food Service Establishment Permit — Mississippi Department of Health — Bureau of Environmental Health
Cost: $50-$300 • Renewal: Annual
General Contractor License — Mississippi State Board of Contractors
Cost: $200-$800 • Renewal: Annual
Cosmetology Shop License — Mississippi Board of Cosmetology
Cost: $50-$150 • Renewal: Annual
Real Estate Broker License — Mississippi Real Estate Commission
Cost: $100-$300 • Renewal: Annual
Child Care Facility License — Mississippi State Department of Health — Child Care Facilities Licensure
Cost: $50-$200 • Renewal: Annual
Retailer's Package License — Mississippi Department of Revenue — Alcoholic Beverage Control
Cost: $400-$2,000 • Renewal: Annual
Gaming Operator License — Mississippi Gaming Commission
Cost: $5,000-$50,000 • Renewal: Annual
Pesticide Business Registration — Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce
Cost: $50-$150 • Renewal: Annual

Home-Based Business Rules

Home-based businesses in Mississippi are regulated by local city and county ordinances. Mississippi's many rural areas outside incorporated municipalities generally have no restrictions on home-based businesses. Cities like Jackson and Gulfport allow home occupations with standard restrictions on commercial signage, customer visits, and business activities that could disturb neighbors. Mississippi's cottage food law supports home-based food production and direct consumer sales.

Resources

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 Mississippi Compares to Neighboring States

Mississippi is one of the more affordable states for launching a Laundromat, with a cost-of-living index of 84.7 (national average is 100). Compared to neighboring Tennessee ($230,000 median startup cost), Mississippi offers lower costs for a Laundromat.

State	Est. Cost	LLC Fee
Mississippi (current)	$212,500	$50
Tennessee	$230,000	$300
Alabama	$220,000	$200
Louisiana	$230,000	$100
Arkansas	$222,500	$45

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 Mississippi — laundromats involve premises liability and equipment financing obligations (filing fee: $50)
2
Obtain a Mississippi business license and any local municipality permit for commercial laundry operations
3
Secure a commercial lease with adequate water and sewer hookup capacity — verify Mississippi 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 10-20% down
5
Obtain a Mississippi 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; card systems increase revenue 15-25%
7
Get commercial property insurance and general liability — $2,000–$6,000/year for 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

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.

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Start a Laundromat in Other States

See the national overview for Laundromat or browse all businesses you can start in Mississippi.