Ice Cream Shop Startup Cost Comparison
Charleston, WV vs Houston, TX
Charleston, WV
$43,000 - $229,000
COL Index: 80.4
VS
Houston, TX
$51,000 - $267,000
COL Index: 96.5
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Charleston, WV | Houston, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$700 - $3,800 | $1,900 - $6,200 | -44% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$2,600 - $14,100 | $6,800 - $37,000 | -62% |
|
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
|
$8,200 - $65,600 | $9,200 - $73,600 | -11% |
|
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)
|
$6,400 - $24,100 | $7,700 - $29,000 | -17% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $43,000 - $229,000 | $51,000 - $267,000 | -14% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Charleston | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 80.4 | 96.5 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $8 - $16 | $18 - $45 |
| Labor Rate Index | 0.82 | 0.92 |
| Sales Tax | 7% | 8.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $8.75/hr | $7.25/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $100 | $300 |
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