Coffee Shop Startup Cost Comparison

Hartford, CT vs Houston, TX

Hartford, CT

$62,000 - $241,000

COL Index: 107.3

VS

Houston, TX

$61,000 - $239,000

COL Index: 96.5

Detailed Cost Comparison

Expense Hartford, CT Houston, TX Difference
Business Registration & Licenses
$2,000 - $6,500 $1,900 - $6,200 +5%
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
$5,700 - $28,700 $8,200 - $41,100 -30%
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
$16,200 - $64,800 $13,800 - $55,200 +17%
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)
$10,700 - $37,600 $9,700 - $33,800 +11%
Total Estimated Cost $62,000 - $241,000 $61,000 - $239,000 +1%

Local Market Factors

Factor Hartford Houston
Cost of Living Index 107.3 96.5
Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) $14 - $30 $18 - $45
Labor Rate Index 1.08 0.92
Sales Tax 6.35% 8.25%
Minimum Wage $16.35/hr $7.25/hr
LLC Filing Fee $120 $300

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