Business ideas · Iowa · Census Business Patterns 2023
Business ideas in Des Moines, IA: what has room right now
Out of 223 business types, these five have the most room in Des Moines at a $60,000 budget: fewer per resident than the rest of Iowa, a startup range you can reach, and a realistic time to the first paying customer. Skipped 22 the city already has more of. Run it with your own budget and interests.
Neur picks
Des Moines, IA · 212,464 residents
- 01
Local Trucking / Hotshot
Owner-operator hauling local and regional freight; one truck to start
- RoomDes Moines has 94% fewer of these per person than Iowa. At the state rate it would hold about 34 more.
- CostOpens for $30k to $150k, inside your budget.
- In Des Moines2
- Per 100k vs state0.9 vs 17.0
- Residents per one106,232
- To first dollar—
- 02
Pest Control
Extermination and prevention of insects, rodents, and wildlife
- RoomDes Moines has 89% fewer of these per person than Iowa. At the state rate it would hold about 8 more.
- CostOpens for $10k to $30k, inside your budget.
- In Des Moines1
- Per 100k vs state0.5 vs 4.2
- Residents per one212,464
- To first dollar1 to 3 mo
- 03
Home Health Care Agency
Licensed nursing and aide visits at home; Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay
- RoomDes Moines has 81% fewer of these per person than Iowa. At the state rate it would hold about 13 more.
- CostOpens for $50k to $200k, inside your budget.
- In Des Moines3
- Per 100k vs state1.4 vs 7.4
- Residents per one70,821
- To first dollar1 to 3 mo
- 04
Moving Services
Local residential and commercial moving — packing, loading, and transport
- RoomDes Moines has 81% fewer of these per person than Iowa. At the state rate it would hold about 4 more.
- CostOpens for $10k to $40k, inside your budget.
- In Des Moines1
- Per 100k vs state0.5 vs 2.4
- Residents per one212,464
- To first dollar1 to 3 mo
- 05
Tailor / Alterations
Alterations, hemming, and custom tailoring for everyday and formal wear
- RoomDes Moines has 81% fewer of these per person than Iowa. At the state rate it would hold about 4 more.
- CostOpens for $5k to $30k, inside your budget.
- In Des Moines1
- Per 100k vs state0.5 vs 2.4
- Residents per one212,464
- To first dollar2 to 5 mo
Questions
- What business should I start in Des Moines, IA?
- On Census Business Patterns for Des Moines's own ZIP codes, the types with the most room at a $60,000 budget are local trucking / hotshot, pest control, home health care agency, moving services, tailor / alterations. Local Trucking / Hotshot leads: Des Moines has 94% fewer of these per person than Iowa. At the state rate it would hold about 34 more.
- How is "room" measured?
- Establishments per 100,000 residents inside Des Moines against the Iowa rate, from Census County and ZIP Business Patterns 2023, with crowded types (more than 1.35 times the state rate) left off. It is a screen, not a guarantee: the paid report maps the actual competitors and the neighborhood demand.
- What does it cost to open these?
- Local Trucking / Hotshot $30k–$150k; Pest Control $10k–$30k; Home Health Care Agency $50k–$200k; Moving Services $10k–$40k; Tailor / Alterations $5k–$30k. Ranges are Neur planning ranges per business type; the report localizes rent and wages.