Coffee Shop Startup Cost Comparison

Houston, TX vs San Francisco, CA

Houston, TX

$61,000 - $239,000

COL Index: 96.5

VS

San Francisco, CA

$92,000 - $373,000

COL Index: 179.8

Detailed Cost Comparison

Expense Houston, TX San Francisco, CA Difference
Business Registration & Licenses
$1,900 - $6,200 $4,200 - $18,500 -64%
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
$8,200 - $41,100 $19,600 - $97,800 -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
$13,800 - $55,200 $22,800 - $91,200 -39%
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)
$9,700 - $33,800 $18,000 - $62,900 -46%
Total Estimated Cost $61,000 - $239,000 $92,000 - $373,000 -35%

Local Market Factors

Factor Houston San Francisco
Cost of Living Index 96.5 179.8
Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) $18 - $45 $40 - $110
Labor Rate Index 0.92 1.52
Sales Tax 8.25% 8.625%
Minimum Wage $7.25/hr $18.67/hr
LLC Filing Fee $300 $70

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