How Much Does It Cost to Start a Liquor Store?
Last updated: March 2026
National Average
Low
$50,000
Medium
$180,000
High
$500,000
A licensed retail store selling beer, wine, and spirits. Requires state and local liquor licenses and is subject to strict regulatory oversight.
Time to Launch
3-12 months
Profit Margins
5-12%
Break-Even Timeline
12-30 months
Interactive Cost Calculator
Select a state below to see state-adjusted costs.
Startup Cost Calculator
Liquor Store in Nationally
Budget:
$40,000
$50,000
$70,000
$15,000
$5,000
$8,000
$6,000
$25,000
Options
Employees:
One-Time Costs
$219,000
Monthly Costs
$0
First Year Total
$219,000
Startup Costs by State
| State | Low | Medium | High | LLC Fee | Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $42,500 | $153,000 | $425,000 | $50 | 7.0% |
| West Virginia | $43,000 | $154,800 | $430,000 | $100 | 6.0% |
| Alabama | $44,000 | $158,400 | $440,000 | $200 | 4.0% |
| Arkansas | $44,500 | $160,200 | $445,000 | $45 | 6.5% |
| Oklahoma | $44,500 | $160,200 | $445,000 | $100 | 4.5% |
| Kansas | $45,000 | $162,000 | $450,000 | $160 | 6.5% |
| Indiana | $45,500 | $163,800 | $455,000 | $95 | 7.0% |
| Iowa | $45,500 | $163,800 | $455,000 | $50 | 6.0% |
| Michigan | $45,500 | $163,800 | $455,000 | $50 | 6.0% |
| Nebraska | $45,500 | $163,800 | $455,000 | $105 | 5.5% |
| Ohio | $45,500 | $163,800 | $455,000 | $99 | 5.8% |
| Kentucky | $46,000 | $165,600 | $460,000 | $40 | 6.0% |
| Louisiana | $46,000 | $165,600 | $460,000 | $100 | 4.5% |
| Missouri | $46,000 | $165,600 | $460,000 | $50 | 4.2% |
| Tennessee | $46,000 | $165,600 | $460,000 | $300 | 7.0% |
| Texas | $46,000 | $165,600 | $460,000 | $300 | 6.3% |
| Georgia | $47,000 | $169,200 | $470,000 | $100 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | $47,500 | $171,000 | $475,000 | $150 | 6.3% |
| New Mexico | $47,500 | $171,000 | $475,000 | $50 | 5.1% |
| Wisconsin | $47,500 | $171,000 | $475,000 | $130 | 5.0% |
| North Carolina | $48,000 | $172,800 | $480,000 | $125 | 4.8% |
| South Carolina | $48,000 | $172,800 | $480,000 | $110 | 6.0% |
| South Dakota | $48,500 | $174,600 | $485,000 | $150 | 4.5% |
| Minnesota | $49,000 | $176,400 | $490,000 | $155 | 6.9% |
| North Dakota | $49,500 | $178,200 | $495,000 | $135 | 5.0% |
| Wyoming | $50,000 | $180,000 | $500,000 | $100 | 4.0% |
| Nevada | $51,000 | $183,600 | $510,000 | $425 | 6.8% |
| Arizona | $51,500 | $185,400 | $515,000 | $50 | 5.6% |
| Florida | $51,500 | $185,400 | $515,000 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Idaho | $51,500 | $185,400 | $515,000 | $100 | 6.0% |
| Pennsylvania | $51,500 | $185,400 | $515,000 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Delaware | $52,000 | $187,200 | $520,000 | $110 | 0.0% |
| Virginia | $52,000 | $187,200 | $520,000 | $100 | 4.3% |
| Colorado | $53,000 | $190,800 | $530,000 | $50 | 2.9% |
| Montana | $53,000 | $190,800 | $530,000 | $70 | 0.0% |
| Utah | $53,000 | $190,800 | $530,000 | $54 | 4.8% |
| Oregon | $56,000 | $201,600 | $560,000 | $100 | 0.0% |
| Vermont | $56,000 | $201,600 | $560,000 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Maine | $57,000 | $205,200 | $570,000 | $175 | 5.5% |
| Rhode Island | $58,000 | $208,800 | $580,000 | $150 | 7.0% |
| New Hampshire | $58,500 | $210,600 | $585,000 | $102 | 0.0% |
| Washington | $59,000 | $212,400 | $590,000 | $200 | 6.5% |
| Connecticut | $59,500 | $214,200 | $595,000 | $120 | 6.3% |
| New Jersey | $62,500 | $225,000 | $625,000 | $125 | 6.6% |
| Alaska | $63,500 | $228,600 | $635,000 | $250 | 0.0% |
| Maryland | $64,500 | $232,200 | $645,000 | $100 | 6.0% |
| California | $67,500 | $243,000 | $675,000 | $70 | 7.3% |
| New York | $69,500 | $250,200 | $695,000 | $200 | 4.0% |
| Massachusetts | $75,000 | $270,000 | $750,000 | $500 | 6.3% |
| Hawaii | $96,500 | $347,400 | $965,000 | $50 | 4.0% |
Cheapest & Most Expensive States
5 Cheapest States
- Mississippi$153,000
- West Virginia$154,800
- Alabama$158,400
- Arkansas$160,200
- Oklahoma$160,200
5 Most Expensive States
- Hawaii$347,400
- Massachusetts$270,000
- New York$250,200
- California$243,000
- Maryland$232,200
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening a liquor store costs $50,000 to $500,000. The wide range reflects the enormous variation in liquor license costs by state. In states without license quotas, a liquor store can open for $50,000-$150,000. In quota states like New Jersey or Connecticut, buying an existing license can cost $100,000-$400,000 alone.
Liquor license costs vary dramatically by state. Non-quota states (California, Texas, Florida) issue new licenses for $500-$5,000. Quota states (New Jersey, Connecticut, many others) limit the number of licenses — buying an existing license costs $50,000-$400,000+ on the secondary market. Some license types (off-premise retail) are more affordable than full-service liquor licenses.
Liquor stores achieve 5-12% net profit margins. A store grossing $800,000/year can net $40,000-$96,000. Spirits carry 25-40% gross margins; beer 20-30%; wine 30-50%. Craft beer, premium spirits, and wine selections that competitors don't carry justify premium pricing and drive higher margins.
Ideal locations are near grocery stores and restaurants (customers combine trips), in neighborhoods underserved by existing liquor retailers, near entertainment districts, and in areas with strong alcohol consumption demographics. Avoid locations within 500 feet of schools and churches (required by law in most states).
The store must hold a valid state retail liquor license. Individual employees do not need personal licenses, but most states require alcohol seller training for anyone working at the register. Owner background checks are required for all liquor license applications. Felony convictions typically disqualify applicants.
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