Starting a business may seem hard, but today anyone in the US can do it even with little money. Many people are looking for low cost business ideas with high profit because they want to build income without spending much. The internet, social media, and simple tools make it easy to begin from home. You don’t need a big office or many tools. People now love local, handmade, and home-based services, which creates more chances. Items like cleaning, pet care, baking, or online teaching cost little to start yet bring good earnings. Online ideas like selling digital goods, print-on-demand, or reselling items base on trends are moving fast. According to Shopify, the average business owner spends about $40,000 in their first year, but many online and service-based ideas cost under $1,000 to start with much better profit margins. In this article we are going to explore low cost business ideas with high profit you can start in 2025.
Start a Cleaning Service
One of the easiest and most in-demand businesses in the US right now is a cleaning service. You can start by cleaning homes, small offices, or even Airbnb rentals. It doesn’t require a fancy degree or expensive tools—just basic supplies like mops, buckets, and cleaning products. In cities like New York and Los Angeles, some cleaners charge up to $50 per hour. You can start solo and later grow by hiring a small team. A huge benefit is that cleaning services are always needed, even during tough times. According to IBISWorld, the cleaning industry in the US was worth over $97 billion in 2024. This business is great for steady income and repeat customers.
Launch a Print-on-Demand Store
Print-on-demand is an easy online business idea that needs very little money to start. You can create simple designs for T-shirts, mugs, phone cases, or tote bags, and sell them online. Websites like Printful, Printify, and TeeSpring handle the printing and shipping.
Why it works: You create designs for items like T-shirts or mugs. Websites such as Printify handle printing and shipping. You just promote and sell.
Costs & Profit:
- Startup cost: domain + website (~$30/month)
- Profit: ~40% margin per sale
- Example: Selling 1,000 units a month with $4 profit each brings $4,000.
Open a Home Bakery
If you enjoy baking, then a home bakery could be a fun and profitable business. Many people in the US prefer homemade cakes, cookies, and snacks over store-bought ones. With a simple kitchen setup and local permits (like the Cottage Food Law), you can start selling to friends, family, and neighbors. Later, you can expand by selling at farmers markets or online. A cake can cost $5 to make but be sold for $30 or more. In 2024, the home baking trend saw a rise in Google searches, especially for gluten-free and vegan goods. Social media platforms are also helping home bakers go viral and attract new customers.
Start a Pet Sitting or Dog Walking Business
In 2025, pet care remains a strong business area in the US. Many pet owners work long hours or travel often, so they need someone they trust to care for their pets. Starting a dog walking or pet sitting service requires almost no money—just love for animals and time. You can list your services on apps like Rover or Wag and set your own prices. Some walkers charge $20 for a 30-minute walk. If you care for pets overnight, you can charge $50–$100 per night. With over 65 million households owning dogs in the US, this is one of the best low cost business ideas with high profit.
Why it works: 65 million US households own dogs. Busy owners pay for trustworthy pet care.
Costs & Profit:
- Startup: near zero—just time, leashes, waste bags
- Earnings: $20/hour or more. Some services earn $40–$80/day
Sell Handmade Products Online
People love buying handmade things like candles, soaps, jewelry, and home decor. If you enjoy crafting or creating, this is a great option for you. Platforms like Etsy, Amazon Handmade, or Facebook Marketplace make it easy to reach buyers. The startup cost can be less than $200, depending on what you make. Profits can go as high as 50% per sale. For example, handmade soaps cost about $1 to make but sell for $5–$10. In the US, the handmade market keeps growing as more people look for unique and personal gifts. It also allows you to be creative and work from home.
Begin Freelance Services (Writing, Design, Marketing)
If you have skills in writing, graphic design, or digital marketing, you can offer your services online. This business needs no money to start—just a laptop and internet connection. You can find work on websites like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer. Many US businesses prefer to hire freelancers for short projects to save costs. Writers can charge $20–$100 per article, and designers can earn $50–$500 per logo. This business gives you full control of your time and income. As remote work continues to grow in 2025, so does the demand for freelancers across different fields.
Offer Online Tutoring or Coaching
If you’re good at a school subject, language, or a specific skill like music or fitness, you can start online tutoring or coaching. Parents in the US are always looking for good tutors, and many adults are also learning new skills online. You can teach through Zoom or Google Meet, and list your services on websites like Wyzant, Preply, or even social media. Tutors charge anywhere from $20 to $80 per hour depending on the subject and experience. The startup cost is nearly zero, and you can build your own brand over time. This is one of the best low cost business ideas with high profit that also makes a positive impact.
Why it works: You teach a subject, skill, or hobby online via tools like Zoom or platforms like Udemy.
Costs & Profit:
- Setup: free platform or $500–$2,000 for better tools.
- Earnings: site like Skillshare can pay $3,000/year; Udemy earnings ~37% of course price, often $100–$500/month
Flip Items from Thrift Stores
Flipping means buying low and selling high. You can go to thrift stores, garage sales, or clearance racks and find good items like clothes, furniture, or electronics. Then, you clean or fix them and resell them online for a profit. Sites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Poshmark are great for this. Some people even earn thousands each month by flipping part-time. All you need is an eye for good deals and a few hours a week. According to Statista, the resale and thrift market in the US is projected to reach $70 billion by 2027. It’s a fun and flexible business that can grow big.
Why it works: You buy low at thrift stores or clearance racks, sell online on eBay or Facebook.
Costs & Profit:
- Startup: $200–$500 for initial stock
- Market: Resale market to hit $70 billion by 2027
Create and Sell Digital Products
Digital products like e-books, printables, online courses, or design templates can be made once and sold many times. The cost to create these is low, often just your time and a few tools. You can sell on Gumroad, Etsy, or your own website. For example, planners and resume templates are in high demand. If you’re good at design, writing, or teaching something online, this is a great passive income option. You can earn $5–$50 per product. In 2025, many creators are focusing on building “micro-businesses” around these ideas, especially moms, students, and part-time workers.
Start a Mobile Car Wash
Car owners in the US often look for convenient car cleaning services. You can start a mobile car wash service where you visit homes or offices to clean vehicles. The equipment cost is low—just cleaning tools, water supply, and good soap. You don’t need a shop or rent. Services like interior vacuuming and polishing can help you charge more. Many charge $30–$70 per wash. It’s a high-profit business, especially in big cities where people don’t have time to clean their own cars. As more people keep their cars longer, car care is becoming more important.
Why it works: People pay for convenience and time-saving services.
Costs & Profit:
- Startup: basic cleaning supplies—$100–$200
- Profit: $5–$10 per wash; higher for interior/shine service. Profit margin ~35–60%
Average Startup Costs & Business Outcomes
| Business Type | Avg Startup Cost | Avg Profit Potential |
|---|---|---|
| Online/service-based (e.g., POD) | $0–$1,500 | $1,000–$10,000/month |
| In-person services (e.g., pet care) | $100–$5,000 | $20–$50+/hour |
| Resale & digital markets | $200–$1,000 | Varies: $500–$5,000+/month |
✔️ Most small businesses spend $40,000 in their first year.
✔️ ~77% rely on personal savings to start.
✔️ The US has 33 million small businesses, employing 61.6 million people.
Tips to Succeed with Low Cost Business Ideas With High Profit
- Research costs and income realistically before starting.
- Lean on personal funds or bootstrap; 77% of startups do.
- Use digital tools: build a basic website ($30/year), free social media.
- Keep overhead low: no rent, no stock—niching helps.
- Track cash flow: 36% of small business owners say miscalculating costs creates problems.
Conclusion
You don’t need a big budget to start a business in 2025. Many low cost business ideas with high profit let you earn well by using skills, time, or creativity from home or online. From selling print-on-demand products and digital items to offering pet care, reselling goods, or freelancing, each idea lets you start small and grow. Key facts:
- $40K is the average first-year spend—many ideas need much less.
- 33 million US small businesses power 61 million jobs.
- Personal funds fund 77% of startups.
With good planning, work, and simple tools, you can start a high-profit business in 2025. The best moment is now—pick one idea and begin small.
