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How much does it cost to open a medical practice in the US?

Opening a medical practice in the United States typically costs between $70,000 and $1 million, depending on size and location. This calculator estimates in 30 seconds the initial investment, the monthly fixed cost, and how many months until the practice reaches break-even, using 2025-26 market ranges.

Updated September 2026 Free tool By Veluni Health
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Ranges use 2025-26 market data. Adjust for your city and specialty.

How much it costs to open a medical practice in the US (2026)

The initial investment varies a lot with size and location. For a solo primary care practice, 2025-26 ranges run from $70,000 to $150,000 for a modest space, and can reach $500,000 when they include specialty equipment and a full build-out (HowMuchToStartABusiness, Dojo Business). A small multi-physician clinic usually costs $150,000 to $400,000; a larger group with diagnostic equipment starts at $400,000 and can pass $1 million (HowMuchToStartABusiness, Financial Model.net).

Location matters. Medical office rent averages about $25 per square foot nationally, so a 1,500 sq ft suite runs $37,000 to $60,000 a year (CBRE, 2025). Metro areas cost more; rural and small-town locations can be 30% to 50% cheaper. That is why the calculator adjusts the ranges by region.

Where the money goes

Two items dominate the investment. The office space and build-out (1,000 to 3,000 sq ft) usually accounts for $20,000 to $150,000, and equipment and technology including the EHR runs $15,000 to $100,000 (HowMuchToStartABusiness, 2026). Licensing and credentialing total $5,000 to $25,000, malpractice and business insurance $10,000 to $50,000, and initial staff hiring $10,000 to $40,000.

The item that surprises most is working capital: market recommendations are to keep 3 to 6 months of fixed costs in reserve before opening. It is what keeps the practice running while the patient panel builds, and it is the main reason practices struggle in their first year.

Monthly fixed costs

Even after opening, the practice has fixed costs that run every month. For a solo primary care practice, the typical total is about $15,000 to $28,000 per month: rent, staff (one MA plus front desk), malpractice insurance, EHR, billing, supplies and utilities (MGMA, Digital Nomad Physicians). A small clinic runs $40,000 to $80,000, with payroll as the biggest cost. A larger group can pass $80,000 to $200,000 per month.

Staffing runs 3 to 5 FTE per physician, and overhead is about 60% of revenue for a typical private practice (MGMA benchmark). That is why team sizing matters as much as rent.

How many months until the practice is profitable

Most new practices reach profitability between the 12th and the 24th month (HowMuchToStartABusiness, 2026). Larger groups and those with expensive equipment tend to take longer, because they have higher fixed costs and a slower ramp-up. Insurance credentialing alone can take 90 to 120 days per payer, which delays revenue.

Full payback, meaning recovering the entire initial investment, takes longer than the break-even point. That is why 3 to 6 months of working capital is so recommended.

How to reduce opening costs

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to open a medical practice in the US?

It depends on size and location. Solo practice: $70,000 to $150,000. Small clinic (2-4 doctors): $150,000 to $400,000. Large group (5+ doctors): $400,000 to $1 million or more. Rural and small-town locations can be 30% to 50% cheaper than metros (HowMuchToStartABusiness, Dojo Business, Financial Model.net, 2025-26).

What is the biggest cost of opening a practice?

Working capital, 3 to 6 months of fixed costs kept in reserve, plus the office space and build-out ($20,000 to $150,000) and equipment with the EHR ($15,000 to $100,000) (HowMuchToStartABusiness, 2026). Specialty equipment also weighs heavily.

How many months until a medical practice is profitable?

Most new practices reach profitability between the 12th and the 24th month (HowMuchToStartABusiness, 2026). Insurance credentialing alone can take 90 to 120 days per payer, which delays revenue. Full payback of the investment takes longer.

Does this calculator use my data?

No. The calculation runs in your browser, nothing is sent to a server and no data is stored.

Sources

  1. HowMuchToStartABusiness, "Medical Practice" (2026): solo $70K-$150K, full cost breakdown, 12-24 months to profitability.
  2. Dojo Business (2025-2026): solo $100K-$500K, specialty equipment up to $850K.
  3. Financial Model.net / Financial Models Lab (2025-2026): small-to-medium $100K-$500K, fixed overhead ~$15K/mo.
  4. CBRE Q1 2025: medical office rent $25.03/sq ft national average; 1,500 sq ft = $37K-$60K/yr.
  5. MGMA DataDive: ~60% overhead for a typical private practice; staffing 3-5 FTE per physician.
  6. Digital Nomad Physicians via GetPracticeHelp (2025): solo primary care overhead ~$28K/mo.
  7. GetPracticeHelp (2026): EHR $200-600/mo per provider; malpractice insurance by specialty.

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