Bar Startup Cost Comparison
Austin, TX vs Houston, TX
Austin, TX
$92,000 - $388,000
COL Index: 105.2
VS
Houston, TX
$84,000 - $349,000
COL Index: 96.5
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Austin, TX | Houston, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Liquor License
|
$2,000 - $15,000 | $2,000 - $15,000 | Same |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$15,100 - $87,900 | $12,300 - $71,900 | +22% |
|
Bar Equipment & Fixtures
|
$15,000 - $60,000 | $15,000 - $60,000 | Same |
|
Initial Liquor & Beverage Inventory
|
$8,000 - $25,000 | $8,000 - $25,000 | Same |
|
Interior Build-Out & Renovation
|
$27,500 - $110,000 | $23,000 - $92,000 | +20% |
|
Sound System & Security
|
$5,000 - $25,000 | $5,000 - $25,000 | Same |
|
Business Insurance (Annual)
|
$4,000 - $12,000 | $4,000 - $12,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$15,800 - $52,600 | $14,500 - $48,300 | +9% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $92,000 - $388,000 | $84,000 - $349,000 | +11% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Austin | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 105.2 | 96.5 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $22 - $55 | $18 - $45 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.1 | 0.92 |
| Sales Tax | 8.25% | 8.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $7.25/hr | $7.25/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $300 | $300 |
View Full Details
Ready to Start Your Bar?
Start your Bar LLC in — free registered agent for 1 year.
Form Your LLC for $0 + State Fee →Trusted by 500,000+ businesses · Excellent rating on Trustpilot