Coffee Shop Startup Cost Comparison
Durham, NC vs Los Angeles, CA
Durham, NC
$61,000 - $239,000
COL Index: 102.8
VS
Los Angeles, CA
$83,000 - $332,000
COL Index: 166.5
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Durham, NC | Los Angeles, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$1,400 - $6,300 | $4,000 - $14,400 | -58% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$6,300 - $31,300 | $15,000 - $75,000 | -58% |
|
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
|
$15,600 - $62,400 | $20,300 - $81,000 | -23% |
|
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)
|
$10,300 - $36,000 | $16,700 - $58,300 | -38% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $61,000 - $239,000 | $83,000 - $332,000 | -28% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Durham | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 102.8 | 166.5 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $16 - $32 | $30 - $85 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.04 | 1.35 |
| Sales Tax | 7.5% | 9.5% |
| Minimum Wage | $7.25/hr | $16.78/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $125 | $70 |
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