Grocery Store Startup Cost Comparison

Denver, CO vs Houston, TX

Denver, CO

$125,000 - $1,678,000

COL Index: 118.5

VS

Houston, TX

$110,000 - $1,469,000

COL Index: 96.5

Detailed Cost Comparison

Expense Denver, CO Houston, TX Difference
Business Registration & Permits
$2,100 - $10,000 $1,900 - $10,000 +2%
Store Lease & Build-Out
$50,200 - $837,000 $41,100 - $684,800 +22%
Refrigeration & Store Equipment
$20,000 - $300,000 $20,000 - $300,000 Same
Initial Inventory
$15,000 - $200,000 $15,000 - $200,000 Same
Business Insurance (Annual)
$5,000 - $20,000 $5,000 - $20,000 Same
Initial Staffing
$5,900 - $59,000 $4,600 - $46,000 +28%
Marketing & Grand Opening
$3,000 - $15,000 $3,000 - $15,000 Same
Working Capital (3 Months)
$23,700 - $237,000 $19,300 - $193,000 +23%
Total Estimated Cost $125,000 - $1,678,000 $110,000 - $1,469,000 +14%

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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