Ice Cream Shop Startup Cost Comparison
Baltimore, MD vs Houston, TX
Baltimore, MD
$53,000 - $277,000
COL Index: 108.5
VS
Houston, TX
$51,000 - $267,000
COL Index: 96.5
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Baltimore, MD | Houston, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$1,900 - $6,200 | $1,900 - $6,200 | Same |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$6,100 - $32,900 | $6,800 - $37,000 | -11% |
|
Ice Cream Equipment & Fixtures
|
$20,000 - $100,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | Same |
|
Initial Ingredients & Supplies
|
$2,000 - $8,000 | $2,000 - $8,000 | Same |
|
Interior Build-Out & Design
|
$10,500 - $84,000 | $9,200 - $73,600 | +14% |
|
Business Insurance (Annual)
|
$1,500 - $5,000 | $1,500 - $5,000 | Same |
|
Marketing & Grand Opening
|
$2,000 - $8,000 | $2,000 - $8,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$8,700 - $32,600 | $7,700 - $29,000 | +13% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $53,000 - $277,000 | $51,000 - $267,000 | +4% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Baltimore | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 108.5 | 96.5 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $16 - $40 | $18 - $45 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.05 | 0.92 |
| Sales Tax | 6% | 8.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $15.00/hr | $7.25/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $100 | $300 |
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