Business ideas · Pennsylvania · Census Business Patterns 2023
Business ideas in Pittsburgh, PA: what has room right now
Out of 236 business types, these five have the most room in Pittsburgh at a $60,000 budget: fewer per resident than the rest of Pennsylvania, a startup range you can reach, and a realistic time to the first paying customer. Skipped 43 the city already has more of. Run it with your own budget and interests.
Neur picks
Pittsburgh, PA · 303,620 residents
- 01
Local Trucking / Hotshot
Owner-operator hauling local and regional freight; one truck to start
- RoomPittsburgh has 98% fewer of these per person than Pennsylvania. At the state rate it would hold about 42 more.
- CostOpens for $30k to $150k, inside your budget.
- In Pittsburgh1
- Per 100k vs state0.3 vs 14.3
- Residents per one303,620
- To first dollar—
- 02
Roofing
Roof installation, repair, and replacement — residential and commercial
- RoomPittsburgh has 95% fewer of these per person than Pennsylvania. At the state rate it would hold about 19 more.
- CostOpens for $15k to $50k, inside your budget.
- In Pittsburgh1
- Per 100k vs state0.3 vs 6.6
- Residents per one303,620
- To first dollar—
- 03
Flooring Install
Installation of hardwood, tile, laminate, and vinyl flooring
- RoomPittsburgh has 92% fewer of these per person than Pennsylvania. At the state rate it would hold about 12 more.
- CostOpens for $10k to $30k, inside your budget.
- In Pittsburgh1
- Per 100k vs state0.3 vs 4.3
- Residents per one303,620
- To first dollar—
- 04
Beauty Supply Store
Hair care, wigs, cosmetics, and salon supplies
- RoomPittsburgh has 92% fewer of these per person than Pennsylvania. At the state rate it would hold about 12 more.
- CostOpens for $60k to $250k, inside your budget.
- In Pittsburgh1
- Per 100k vs state0.3 vs 4.2
- Residents per one303,620
- To first dollar3 to 7 mo
- 05
Medical Supply / DME Store
Wheelchairs, oxygen, braces, and home medical equipment, retail and Medicare
- RoomPittsburgh has 88% fewer of these per person than Pennsylvania. At the state rate it would hold about 7 more.
- CostOpens for $60k to $250k, inside your budget.
- In Pittsburgh1
- Per 100k vs state0.3 vs 2.8
- Residents per one303,620
- To first dollar4 to 10 mo
Questions
- What business should I start in Pittsburgh, PA?
- On Census Business Patterns for Pittsburgh's own ZIP codes, the types with the most room at a $60,000 budget are local trucking / hotshot, roofing, flooring install, beauty supply store, medical supply / dme store. Local Trucking / Hotshot leads: Pittsburgh has 98% fewer of these per person than Pennsylvania. At the state rate it would hold about 42 more.
- How is "room" measured?
- Establishments per 100,000 residents inside Pittsburgh against the Pennsylvania 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; Roofing $15k–$50k; Flooring Install $10k–$30k; Beauty Supply Store $60k–$250k; Medical Supply / DME Store $60k–$250k. Ranges are Neur planning ranges per business type; the report localizes rent and wages.