Startup Cost Calculator
Pick a business type to see what it typically costs to open. Every line has a low and high estimate and a source; with JavaScript on, drag each line to match your plans.
Food Truck: estimated startup costs
Assumes: One or two person food truck that cooks on board, bought used from a marketplace listing, operating in Austin, Texas (used as the permit example). Not a franchise.
| Cost line | Low | High | Your estimate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Used food truckSquare's range based on marketplace listings; many used trucks come partly or fully equipped. | $40,000 | $80,000 | Square (Block, Inc.)est. | |
| State mobile food vendor permit (Texas Type III)Example: Texas DSHS Type III mobile food vendor (cooks on board), $876 application fee plus $500 pre-licensing inspection fee. Texas requires a state permit from July 1, 2026. | $1,376 | $1,376 | Texas Department of State Health Services | |
| Fire inspection permitExample: Austin Fire Department mobile food vending fire inspection. A failed or missed inspection means paying the fee again. | $222 | $222 | City of Austin, Austin Fire Department | |
| Business insurance, first yearInsureon median annual premiums for food trucks. Low: general liability ($440) plus commercial auto ($2,509). High: business owner's policy ($1,147) plus commercial auto plus workers' compensation ($550). | $2,949 | $4,206 | Insureonest. | |
| POS card reader or handheldSquare list prices: contactless and chip reader $59 (uses your phone) up to Square Handheld $399. Software and processing fees not included. | $59 | $399 | Square (Block, Inc.) | |
| Initial food inventory | $2,000 | $3,000 | Square (Block, Inc.)est. | |
| ServewareSquare's single figure for plates, utensils and similar supplies. | $300 | $300 | Square (Block, Inc.)est. | |
| Total | $46,906 | $89,503 |
These are estimates for planning only, not financial advice. Real costs depend on your city, your suppliers and the choices you make. Get quotes before you commit money.
Startup cost ranges at a glance
| Business | Category | Low | High | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Truck | Food & Drink | $46,906 | $89,503 | November 2026 |
| Coffee Shop | Food & Drink | $22,332 | $87,967 | November 2026 |
| Cleaning Business | Home Services | $2,046 | $2,690 | November 2026 |
| Landscaping Business | Home Services | $7,406 | $8,001 | November 2026 |
| Lawn Care Business | Home Services | $9,239 | $14,104 | November 2026 |
| Dropshipping Store | Online | $1,308 | $4,118 | November 2026 |
| Vending Machines | Retail | $9,000 | $35,970 | November 2026 |
| Clothing Brand | Creative | $1,664 | $4,631 | November 2026 |
| Photography Business | Creative | $4,088 | $6,299 | November 2026 |
How we build these estimates
- Each business is broken into the costs you pay before opening day. Every line has its own source, listed in the table.
- We prefer government sources (fees, wages) and published list prices. Where neither exists we use an established industry publisher's estimate and mark it "est.". Lines we cannot source are left out rather than guessed.
- Totals are the sum of the lines, so the low total assumes the cheapest choice on every line and the high total the most expensive.
- Figures are national. Rent, wages and permit fees vary a lot by city; we do not adjust for location yet.
Spotted a number that looks wrong? Tell us. See our editorial policy.