Ice Cream Shop Startup Cost Comparison
Detroit, MI vs Houston, TX
Detroit, MI
$46,000 - $242,000
COL Index: 89.5
VS
Houston, TX
$51,000 - $267,000
COL Index: 96.5
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Detroit, MI | Houston, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$800 - $3,900 | $1,900 - $6,200 | -42% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$4,100 - $22,300 | $6,800 - $37,000 | -40% |
|
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
|
$8,500 - $68,000 | $9,200 - $73,600 | -8% |
|
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)
|
$7,200 - $26,900 | $7,700 - $29,000 | -7% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $46,000 - $242,000 | $51,000 - $267,000 | -9% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Detroit | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 89.5 | 96.5 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $10 - $28 | $18 - $45 |
| Labor Rate Index | 0.85 | 0.92 |
| Sales Tax | 6% | 8.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $10.33/hr | $7.25/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $50 | $300 |
View Full Details
Ready to Start Your Ice Cream Shop?
Start your Ice Cream Shop LLC in — free registered agent for 1 year.
Form Your LLC for $0 + State Fee →Trusted by 500,000+ businesses · Excellent rating on Trustpilot