Ghost Kitchen Startup Cost Comparison
Austin, TX vs Houston, TX
Austin, TX
$25,000 - $123,000
COL Index: 105.2
VS
Houston, TX
$23,000 - $113,000
COL Index: 96.5
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Austin, TX | Houston, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$500 - $5,000 | $500 - $5,000 | Same |
|
Commercial Space & Build-Out
|
$10,000 - $50,200 | $8,200 - $41,100 | +22% |
|
Equipment & Fixtures
|
$5,000 - $25,000 | $5,000 - $25,000 | Same |
|
Initial Inventory & Supplies
|
$2,000 - $10,000 | $2,000 - $10,000 | Same |
|
Business Insurance (Annual)
|
$2,000 - $12,000 | $2,000 - $12,000 | Same |
|
Marketing & Grand Opening
|
$2,000 - $10,000 | $2,000 - $10,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$3,200 - $10,500 | $2,900 - $9,700 | +9% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $25,000 - $123,000 | $23,000 - $113,000 | +9% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Austin | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 105.2 | 96.5 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $22 - $55 | $18 - $45 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.1 | 0.92 |
| Sales Tax | 8.25% | 8.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $7.25/hr | $7.25/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $300 | $300 |
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