Ghost Kitchen Startup Cost Comparison
San Jose, CA vs Houston, TX
San Jose, CA
$34,000 - $165,000
COL Index: 185.5
VS
Houston, TX
$23,000 - $113,000
COL Index: 96.5
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | San Jose, CA | Houston, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$500 - $5,000 | $500 - $5,000 | Same |
|
Commercial Space & Build-Out
|
$17,000 - $84,800 | $8,200 - $41,100 | +106% |
|
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)
|
$5,600 - $18,600 | $2,900 - $9,700 | +92% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $34,000 - $165,000 | $23,000 - $113,000 | +46% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | San Jose | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 185.5 | 96.5 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $35 - $95 | $18 - $45 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.55 | 0.92 |
| Sales Tax | 9.375% | 8.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $17.55/hr | $7.25/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $70 | $300 |
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