Gift Shop Startup Cost Comparison
Denver, CO vs Houston, TX
Denver, CO
$35,000 - $173,000
COL Index: 118.5
VS
Houston, TX
$31,000 - $149,000
COL Index: 96.5
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Denver, CO | Houston, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Permits
|
$2,100 - $9,200 | $1,900 - $6,200 | +40% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$6,000 - $45,200 | $4,900 - $37,000 | +22% |
|
Initial Inventory
|
$10,000 - $40,000 | $10,000 - $40,000 | Same |
|
Store Build-Out & Display
|
$5,900 - $35,400 | $4,600 - $27,600 | +28% |
|
POS System & E-Commerce
|
$1,000 - $5,000 | $1,000 - $5,000 | Same |
|
Business Insurance (Annual)
|
$1,200 - $4,000 | $1,200 - $4,000 | Same |
|
Marketing & Seasonal Promotion
|
$1,500 - $8,000 | $1,500 - $8,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$7,100 - $26,100 | $5,800 - $21,200 | +23% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $35,000 - $173,000 | $31,000 - $149,000 | +16% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Denver | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 118.5 | 96.5 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $22 - $55 | $18 - $45 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.18 | 0.92 |
| Sales Tax | 8.81% | 8.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $18.29/hr | $7.25/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $50 | $300 |
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