Business ideas · Rhode Island · Census Business Patterns 2023
Business ideas in Providence, RI: what has room right now
Out of 196 business types, these five have the most room in Providence at a $60,000 budget: fewer per resident than the rest of Rhode Island, a startup range you can reach, and a realistic time to the first paying customer. Skipped 12 the city already has more of. Run it with your own budget and interests.
Neur picks
Providence, RI · 190,214 residents
- 01
Tailor / Alterations
Alterations, hemming, and custom tailoring for everyday and formal wear
- RoomProvidence has 93% fewer of these per person than Rhode Island. At the state rate it would hold about 13 more.
- CostOpens for $5k to $30k, inside your budget.
- In Providence1
- Per 100k vs state0.5 vs 7.3
- Residents per one190,214
- To first dollar2 to 5 mo
- 02
Vape / Smoke Shop
Retail shop selling vaporizers, e-liquids, tobacco, and accessories
- RoomProvidence has 86% fewer of these per person than Rhode Island. At the state rate it would hold about 6 more.
- CostOpens for $25k to $75k, inside your budget.
- In Providence1
- Per 100k vs state0.5 vs 3.7
- Residents per one190,214
- To first dollar3 to 7 mo
- 03
Pet Store / Supplies
Retail store selling pet food, accessories, and supplies
- RoomProvidence has 84% fewer of these per person than Rhode Island. At the state rate it would hold about 5 more.
- CostOpens for $50k to $150k, inside your budget.
- In Providence1
- Per 100k vs state0.5 vs 3.4
- Residents per one190,214
- To first dollar3 to 7 mo
- 04
Medical Supply / DME Store
Wheelchairs, oxygen, braces, and home medical equipment, retail and Medicare
- RoomProvidence has 84% fewer of these per person than Rhode Island. At the state rate it would hold about 5 more.
- CostOpens for $60k to $250k, inside your budget.
- In Providence1
- Per 100k vs state0.5 vs 3.3
- Residents per one190,214
- To first dollar4 to 10 mo
- 05
Roofing
Roof installation, repair, and replacement — residential and commercial
- RoomProvidence has 84% fewer of these per person than Rhode Island. At the state rate it would hold about 10 more.
- CostOpens for $15k to $50k, inside your budget.
- In Providence2
- Per 100k vs state1.1 vs 6.5
- Residents per one95,107
- To first dollar—
Questions
- What business should I start in Providence, RI?
- On Census Business Patterns for Providence's own ZIP codes, the types with the most room at a $60,000 budget are tailor / alterations, vape / smoke shop, pet store / supplies, medical supply / dme store, roofing. Tailor / Alterations leads: Providence has 93% fewer of these per person than Rhode Island. At the state rate it would hold about 13 more.
- How is "room" measured?
- Establishments per 100,000 residents inside Providence against the Rhode Island 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?
- Tailor / Alterations $5k–$30k; Vape / Smoke Shop $25k–$75k; Pet Store / Supplies $50k–$150k; Medical Supply / DME Store $60k–$250k; Roofing $15k–$50k. Ranges are Neur planning ranges per business type; the report localizes rent and wages.