Benchmarks reported for small businesses sold in 2025. These are averages. Your own industry and size can be quite different, so treat them as a starting point.
| Measure | Reported figure |
|---|---|
| Average sale price to cash flow (SDE) | About 2.6 times |
| Average sale price to sales | About 0.7 times |
| Median sale price | About $350,000 |
| Median cash flow (SDE) | About $159,000 |
| Median sales | About $703,000 |
| Common range for small businesses | Roughly 2 to 3 times SDE |
BizBuySell reports these from broker-listed small businesses that closed during 2025. The IBBA and M&A Source Market Pulse survey, which covers brokers in the same market, shows multiples that rise with business size.
How the measures are used
| Business size | Usual measure |
|---|---|
| Under about $2 million in value | SDE multiple |
| Larger | EBITDA multiple |
Related
These figures can change each quarter. Check the latest report. They are not a valuation of your business.
Business valuation calculator Value your own business.Sources
- BizBuySell: Insight Report (small business sale data)
- IBBA and M&A Source: Market Pulse report
- IRS: Valuation of assets
This article is for education and is not financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are checked against the sources above and may change. Read the full disclaimer.