Coffee Shop Startup Cost Comparison
Arlington, VA vs Houston, TX
Arlington, VA
$78,000 - $306,000
COL Index: 148.2
VS
Houston, TX
$61,000 - $239,000
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 Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$11,700 - $58,700 | $8,200 - $41,100 | +43% |
|
Espresso Machines & Equipment
|
$20,000 - $80,000 | $20,000 - $80,000 | Same |
|
Initial Coffee & Food Inventory
|
$3,000 - $8,000 | $3,000 - $8,000 | Same |
|
Interior Build-Out & Renovation
|
$20,700 - $82,800 | $13,800 - $55,200 | +50% |
|
Business Insurance (Annual)
|
$2,000 - $7,000 | $2,000 - $7,000 | Same |
|
Marketing & Grand Opening
|
$2,000 - $8,000 | $2,000 - $8,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$14,800 - $51,900 | $9,700 - $33,800 | +53% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $78,000 - $306,000 | $61,000 - $239,000 | +28% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Arlington | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 148.2 | 96.5 |
| Commercial Rent ($/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 |
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