Coffee Shop Startup Cost Comparison

San Francisco, CA vs Houston, TX

San Francisco, CA

$92,000 - $373,000

COL Index: 179.8

VS

Houston, TX

$61,000 - $239,000

COL Index: 96.5

Detailed Cost Comparison

Expense San Francisco, CA Houston, TX Difference
Business Registration & Licenses
$4,200 - $18,500 $1,900 - $6,200 +180%
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
$19,600 - $97,800 $8,200 - $41,100 +138%
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
$22,800 - $91,200 $13,800 - $55,200 +65%
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)
$18,000 - $62,900 $9,700 - $33,800 +86%
Total Estimated Cost $92,000 - $373,000 $61,000 - $239,000 +55%

Local Market Factors

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

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