Car Wash Startup Cost Comparison
Wilmington, NC vs Houston, TX
Wilmington, NC
$75,000 - $473,000
COL Index: 99.8
VS
Houston, TX
$83,000 - $501,000
COL Index: 96.5
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Wilmington, NC | Houston, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$1,400 - $6,100 | $1,900 - $6,200 | -7% |
|
Facility Lease or Land (First Year)
|
$16,400 - $65,700 | $24,700 - $98,600 | -33% |
|
Car Wash Equipment
|
$25,000 - $200,000 | $25,000 - $200,000 | Same |
|
Site Construction & Build-Out
|
$14,300 - $114,000 | $13,800 - $110,400 | +3% |
|
Water & Environmental Systems
|
$5,000 - $30,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | Same |
|
Business Insurance (Annual)
|
$3,000 - $12,000 | $3,000 - $12,000 | Same |
|
Marketing & Signage
|
$2,000 - $10,000 | $2,000 - $10,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$8,000 - $34,900 | $7,700 - $33,800 | +3% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $75,000 - $473,000 | $83,000 - $501,000 | -6% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Wilmington | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 99.8 | 96.5 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $14 - $28 | $18 - $45 |
| Labor Rate Index | 0.95 | 0.92 |
| Sales Tax | 7% | 8.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $7.25/hr | $7.25/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $125 | $300 |
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