Catering Business Startup Cost Comparison
Arlington, VA vs Houston, TX
Arlington, VA
$32,000 - $159,000
COL Index: 148.2
VS
Houston, TX
$26,000 - $134,000
COL Index: 96.5
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Arlington, VA | Houston, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$3,700 - $9,900 | $1,900 - $6,200 | +68% |
|
Commercial Kitchen Access
|
$5,900 - $35,200 | $4,100 - $24,700 | +43% |
|
Catering Equipment & Supplies
|
$5,000 - $30,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | Same |
|
Delivery Vehicle
|
$5,000 - $35,000 | $5,000 - $35,000 | Same |
|
Initial Food & Supply Inventory
|
$1,500 - $5,000 | $1,500 - $5,000 | Same |
|
Business Insurance (Annual)
|
$2,000 - $6,000 | $2,000 - $6,000 | Same |
|
Marketing & Branding
|
$1,500 - $8,000 | $1,500 - $8,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$7,400 - $29,600 | $4,800 - $19,300 | +54% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $32,000 - $159,000 | $26,000 - $134,000 | +19% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Arlington | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 148.2 | 96.5 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $30 - $60 | $18 - $45 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.38 | 0.92 |
| Sales Tax | 6% | 8.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $12.41/hr | $7.25/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $100 | $300 |
View Full Details
Ready to Start Your Catering Business?
Start your Catering Business LLC in — free registered agent for 1 year.
Form Your LLC for $0 + State Fee →Trusted by 500,000+ businesses · Excellent rating on Trustpilot