Seattle, Washington — Startup Costs
Gym Startup Costs in Seattle
Opening a gym or fitness studio in Seattle typically costs $120,000 – $350,000. Here is the full breakdown — lease deposits, equipment and racks, buildout with showers and HVAC, retail stock, and licenses — with real dollar ranges based on Seattle market data.
Startup cost breakdown
| Cost item | Low | High | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lease deposit + first months' rent | $14,000 | $38,000 | 2,000–4,000 sqft at $22–42/sqft |
| Equipment, racks & cardio | $60,000 | $180,000 | — |
| Buildout, showers & HVAC | $40,000 | $120,000 | — |
| Initial supplement/apparel retail stock | $6,000 | $18,000 | — |
| Licenses, insurance & member-management software | $8,000 | $20,000 | WA + Seattle business license; liability insurance |
| Total estimated range | $128,000 | $376,000 | 3–6 months from lease signing to opening |
Timeline to launch
3–6 months from lease signing to opening
How Seattle compares
Seattle gym startup costs are at the higher end — the nation's steepest major-city minimum wage ($20.76) and Washington's B&O gross-receipts tax mean pre-opening payroll reserves and tax setup cost more than in low-wage metros. For comparison, see our national gym profit margin benchmarks and the break-even calculator.
Plan your Seattle gym
Use our break-even calculator to model your startup costs and find out how long it takes to recover your investment.
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