Coffee Shop Startup Cost Comparison

San Francisco, CA vs Los Angeles, CA

San Francisco, CA

$92,000 - $373,000

COL Index: 179.8

VS

Los Angeles, CA

$83,000 - $332,000

COL Index: 166.5

Detailed Cost Comparison

Expense San Francisco, CA Los Angeles, CA Difference
Business Registration & Licenses
$4,200 - $18,500 $4,000 - $14,400 +23%
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
$19,600 - $97,800 $15,000 - $75,000 +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
$22,800 - $91,200 $20,300 - $81,000 +13%
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 $16,700 - $58,300 +8%
Total Estimated Cost $92,000 - $373,000 $83,000 - $332,000 +12%

Local Market Factors

Factor San Francisco Los Angeles
Cost of Living Index 179.8 166.5
Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) $40 - $110 $30 - $85
Labor Rate Index 1.52 1.35
Sales Tax 8.625% 9.5%
Minimum Wage $18.67/hr $16.78/hr
LLC Filing Fee $70 $70

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