How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business in Missouri?
Last updated: May 2026
Missouri Business Overview
LLC Filing Fee
$50
Sales Tax Rate
4.2%
Minimum Wage
$13.75/hr
Cost of Living Index
88.9
Workers Comp
Required
Annual Report Fee
$0
Starting a Business in Missouri
Missouri does not require a general state business license. Businesses register with the Secretary of State. Many cities and counties require local licenses.
Missouri has a graduated income tax with rates from 0% to 4.95%. Corporate income tax is 4%. Missouri has no franchise or LLC annual reporting fee.
Missouri's central location makes it an excellent hub for logistics and distribution businesses. The state's low taxes and reasonable regulations provide a favorable startup environment.
For official formation documents, visit the Missouri Secretary of State.
Startup Costs for 100 Business Types in Missouri
The table below shows estimated startup costs for every major business type, adjusted for Missouri’s cost of living index of 88.9. Click any column header to sort. Click a business name to see full cost breakdowns, calculator, and licensing requirements.
| Accounting Firm | Professional Services | $5,810 | $16,600 | $38,180 |
| Airbnb & Vacation Rental Business | Real Estate | $9,130 | $24,900 | $74,700 |
| Ambulance Service | Transportation & Logistics | $66,400 | $166,000 | $415,000 |
| App Development Company | Tech & Online | $8,300 | $24,900 | $66,400 |
| Architecture Firm | Professional Services | $16,600 | $45,650 | $107,900 |
| Auto Detailing Business | Automotive | $4,150 | $24,900 | $83,000 |
| Auto Repair Shop | Automotive | $62,250 | $166,000 | $415,000 |
| Bakery | Food & Beverage | $16,600 | $78,850 | $249,000 |
| Bar & Nightclub | Food & Beverage | $83,000 | $290,500 | $705,500 |
| Barbershop | Beauty & Personal Care | $12,450 | $53,950 | $145,250 |
| Beauty Supply Store | Beauty & Personal Care | $24,900 | $83,000 | $249,000 |
| Bookstore | Retail | $20,750 | $83,000 | $249,000 |
| Brewery / Microbrewery | Food & Beverage | $207,500 | $332,000 | $1,245,000 |
| Cannabis Dispensary | Specialty & Regulated | $103,335 | $275,560 | $1,033,350 |
| Car Wash | Automotive | $103,335 | $451,520 | $1,289,820 |
| Carpentry & Woodworking Shop | Construction & Trades | $8,715 | $23,240 | $58,100 |
| Catering Business | Food & Beverage | $9,960 | $43,990 | $107,900 |
| Chiropractic Office | Health & Wellness | $83,000 | $99,600 | $249,000 |
| Cleaning Business | Home Services | $1,245 | $9,130 | $30,710 |
| Clothing Boutique | Retail | $24,900 | $83,000 | $249,000 |
| Coffee Shop | Food & Beverage | $49,800 | $99,600 | $290,500 |
| Concrete Business | Construction & Trades | $20,750 | $53,950 | $124,500 |
| Consulting Business | Professional Services | $1,660 | $7,470 | $21,580 |
| Convenience Store | Retail | $41,500 | $232,400 | $622,500 |
| Courier & Delivery Service | Transportation & Logistics | $6,640 | $18,260 | $45,650 |
| Cybersecurity Firm | Tech & Online | $16,600 | $45,650 | $124,500 |
| Dance Studio | Childcare & Education | $16,600 | $66,400 | $207,500 |
| Daycare Center | Childcare & Education | $49,800 | $149,400 | $415,000 |
| Demolition Company | Construction & Trades | $24,900 | $66,400 | $166,000 |
| Dental Practice | Health & Wellness | $290,500 | $415,000 | $830,000 |
| Digital Marketing Agency | Tech & Online | $3,320 | $9,960 | $26,560 |
| E-Commerce Store | Tech & Online | $4,150 | $12,450 | $41,500 |
| Electrical Business | Home Services | $12,450 | $45,650 | $132,800 |
| Esthetics & Skincare Business | Beauty & Personal Care | $6,640 | $33,200 | $99,600 |
| Excavation Company | Construction & Trades | $41,500 | $107,900 | $290,500 |
| Financial Planning Practice | Professional Services | $16,600 | $45,650 | $107,900 |
| Flower Shop | Retail | $16,600 | $62,250 | $166,000 |
| Food Delivery Service | Food & Beverage | $8,300 | $43,160 | $107,900 |
| Food Processing Business | Food & Beverage | $166,000 | $207,500 | $622,500 |
| Food Truck | Food & Beverage | $37,350 | $99,600 | $166,000 |
| Freight Brokerage | Transportation & Logistics | $13,280 | $29,880 | $66,400 |
| Furniture Store | Retail | $41,500 | $166,000 | $498,000 |
| General Contracting Business | Construction & Trades | $16,600 | $45,650 | $107,900 |
| Ghost Kitchen | Food & Beverage | $16,600 | $49,800 | $124,500 |
| Gift Shop | Retail | $16,600 | $58,100 | $166,000 |
| Gym & Fitness Center | Health & Wellness | $41,500 | $207,500 | $830,000 |
| Hair Salon | Beauty & Personal Care | $12,450 | $62,250 | $207,500 |
| Handyman Business | Home Services | $1,660 | $8,300 | $27,390 |
| Home Health Care Agency | Health & Wellness | $33,200 | $107,900 | $249,000 |
| HVAC Business | Home Services | $16,600 | $58,100 | $166,000 |
| Ice Cream Shop | Food & Beverage | $16,600 | $62,250 | $166,000 |
| Insurance Agency | Professional Services | $12,450 | $33,200 | $74,700 |
| IT Services Business | Tech & Online | $12,450 | $33,200 | $83,000 |
| Juice Bar & Smoothie Shop | Food & Beverage | $20,750 | $74,700 | $207,500 |
| Landscaping Business | Home Services | $8,300 | $33,200 | $99,600 |
| Laundromat | Real Estate | $83,000 | $207,500 | $498,000 |
| Law Firm | Professional Services | $9,960 | $28,220 | $67,230 |
| Limousine & Car Service | Transportation & Logistics | $33,200 | $74,700 | $182,600 |
| Liquor Store | Retail | $41,500 | $149,400 | $415,000 |
| Marketing Agency | Professional Services | $4,150 | $14,940 | $41,500 |
| Martial Arts Studio | Childcare & Education | $16,600 | $58,100 | $166,000 |
| Meal Prep Business | Food & Beverage | $16,600 | $53,950 | $166,000 |
| Med Spa | Health & Wellness | $83,000 | $290,500 | $830,000 |
| Medical Practice | Health & Wellness | $124,500 | $332,000 | $830,000 |
| Mental Health Practice | Health & Wellness | $12,450 | $41,500 | $124,500 |
| Moving Company | Home Services | $24,900 | $83,000 | $249,000 |
| Music School | Childcare & Education | $8,300 | $41,500 | $124,500 |
| Nail Salon | Beauty & Personal Care | $16,600 | $74,700 | $207,500 |
| Painting Business | Home Services | $4,150 | $20,750 | $66,400 |
| Personal Training Business | Health & Wellness | $4,150 | $20,750 | $83,000 |
| Pest Control Business | Home Services | $8,300 | $33,200 | $99,600 |
| Pet Store | Retail | $24,900 | $83,000 | $249,000 |
| Pharmacy | Health & Wellness | $207,500 | $332,000 | $830,000 |
| Physical Therapy Clinic | Health & Wellness | $49,800 | $149,400 | $373,500 |
| Pizza Shop | Food & Beverage | $62,250 | $145,250 | $332,000 |
| Plumbing Business | Home Services | $12,450 | $41,500 | $124,500 |
| Podcast Production Company | Tech & Online | $1,660 | $4,980 | $14,940 |
| Preschool | Childcare & Education | $41,500 | $124,500 | $332,000 |
| Property Management Company | Real Estate | $8,715 | $19,920 | $45,650 |
| Real Estate Agency | Professional Services | $8,300 | $23,240 | $58,100 |
| Real Estate Investing & Rental Business | Real Estate | $20,750 | $62,250 | $207,500 |
| Restaurant | Food & Beverage | $145,250 | $311,250 | $622,500 |
| Roofing Company | Home Services | $12,450 | $49,800 | $149,400 |
| SaaS Company | Tech & Online | $16,600 | $49,800 | $166,000 |
| Spa & Massage Therapy | Health & Wellness | $8,300 | $58,100 | $207,500 |
| Staffing Agency | Professional Services | $16,600 | $45,650 | $124,500 |
| Storage Unit Facility | Real Estate | $166,000 | $498,000 | $1,660,000 |
| Tattoo Shop | Beauty & Personal Care | $16,600 | $48,970 | $166,000 |
| Tax Preparation Business | Professional Services | $2,905 | $8,300 | $22,410 |
| Thrift Store | Retail | $16,600 | $62,250 | $166,000 |
| Tire Shop | Automotive | $41,500 | $124,500 | $332,000 |
| Towing Company | Automotive | $41,500 | $124,500 | $332,000 |
| Trucking Company | Transportation & Logistics | $24,900 | $66,400 | $166,000 |
| Tutoring Business | Childcare & Education | $1,660 | $19,920 | $83,000 |
| Used Car Dealership | Automotive | $41,500 | $166,000 | $498,000 |
| Vape Shop | Retail | $20,750 | $62,250 | $166,000 |
| Web Development Agency | Tech & Online | $2,905 | $9,960 | $27,390 |
| Welding Business | Construction & Trades | $12,450 | $33,200 | $83,000 |
| Winery | Food & Beverage | $415,000 | $632,460 | $2,490,000 |
| Yoga Studio | Health & Wellness | $12,450 | $66,400 | $166,000 |
Most Popular Business Types in Missouri
Licenses & Permits in Missouri
General Business License
Missouri does not have a statewide general business license. Businesses must register their entity with the Missouri Secretary of State and register with the Missouri Department of Revenue for sales and use tax purposes. Missouri cities and counties may require local business licenses — Kansas City, St. Louis, and Springfield each have their own licensing programs. Note that St. Louis City and St. Louis County are separate political entities with different licensing requirements.
Industry-Specific Licenses
- Food Establishment License — Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services — Division of Environmental HealthCost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Annual
- Contractor License — Local jurisdiction (St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, etc.)Cost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Annual
- Cosmetology Establishment License — Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber ExaminersCost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Biennial
- Real Estate Broker License — Missouri Real Estate CommissionCost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Annual
- Child Care Facility License — Missouri Department of Social Services — Family Support DivisionCost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Annual
- Retail License for Intoxicating Liquor — Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco ControlCost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Annual
- Home Health Agency License — Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesCost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Annual
- Motor Carrier Operating Authority — Missouri Department of TransportationCost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Annual
Home-Based Business Rules
Home-based businesses in Missouri are regulated by local zoning ordinances. Most Missouri municipalities allow home occupations in residential zones with restrictions on commercial signage, customer traffic, and business activities affecting neighbors. Rural Missouri areas outside incorporated municipalities generally have minimal restrictions on home-based businesses. Missouri's Cottage Food Law explicitly authorizes home-based food production and direct consumer sales subject to a state-defined annual cap.
Missouri Business Resources
SBA District Office
Missouri SBA District Office — St. Louis
Secretary of State
https://www.sos.mo.gov/businessZoning Information
Missouri municipalities and counties manage zoning. St. Louis and Kansas City have active commercial zoning with mixed-use and revitalization districts.
Health Department Notes
Food service permits are issued by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services or the local county health department.
Workers Compensation
Required for employers with 5 or more employees; construction companies with 1 or more employees.