Business ideas · Massachusetts · Census Business Patterns 2023
Business ideas in Boston, MA: what has room right now
Out of 233 business types, these five have the most room in Boston at a $60,000 budget: fewer per resident than the rest of Massachusetts, a startup range you can reach, and a realistic time to the first paying customer. Skipped 25 the city already has more of. Run it with your own budget and interests.
Neur picks
Boston, MA · 663,972 residents
- 01
Roofing
Roof installation, repair, and replacement — residential and commercial
- RoomBoston has 93% fewer of these per person than Massachusetts. At the state rate it would hold about 39 more.
- CostOpens for $15k to $50k, inside your budget.
- In Boston3
- Per 100k vs state0.5 vs 6.3
- Residents per one221,324
- To first dollar—
- 02
Food Truck
Mobile food service at events, lots, and high-traffic areas
- RoomBoston has 88% fewer of these per person than Massachusetts. At the state rate it would hold about 23 more.
- CostOpens for $30k to $80k, inside your budget.
- In Boston3
- Per 100k vs state0.5 vs 3.9
- Residents per one221,324
- To first dollar4 to 9 mo
- 03
Garage / Epoxy / Concrete
Decorative concrete coatings, epoxy floors, and garage upgrades
- RoomBoston has 88% fewer of these per person than Massachusetts. At the state rate it would hold about 22 more.
- CostOpens for $10k to $30k, inside your budget.
- In Boston3
- Per 100k vs state0.5 vs 3.8
- Residents per one221,324
- To first dollar—
- 04
Cabinetry / Finish Carpentry
Custom cabinets, trim, built-ins, and closets for remodels and builders
- RoomBoston has 85% fewer of these per person than Massachusetts. At the state rate it would hold about 80 more.
- CostOpens for $15k to $80k, inside your budget.
- In Boston14
- Per 100k vs state2.1 vs 14.2
- Residents per one47,427
- To first dollar—
- 05
Limo / Party Bus
Limousines, party buses, and black cars for events, weddings, and airport runs
- RoomBoston has 84% fewer of these per person than Massachusetts. At the state rate it would hold about 16 more.
- CostOpens for $60k to $300k, inside your budget.
- In Boston3
- Per 100k vs state0.5 vs 2.8
- Residents per one221,324
- To first dollar1 to 3 mo
Questions
- What business should I start in Boston, MA?
- On Census Business Patterns for Boston's own ZIP codes, the types with the most room at a $60,000 budget are roofing, food truck, garage / epoxy / concrete, cabinetry / finish carpentry, limo / party bus. Roofing leads: Boston has 93% fewer of these per person than Massachusetts. At the state rate it would hold about 39 more.
- How is "room" measured?
- Establishments per 100,000 residents inside Boston against the Massachusetts 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?
- Roofing $15k–$50k; Food Truck $30k–$80k; Garage / Epoxy / Concrete $10k–$30k; Cabinetry / Finish Carpentry $15k–$80k; Limo / Party Bus $60k–$300k. Ranges are Neur planning ranges per business type; the report localizes rent and wages.