Ice Cream Shop Startup Cost Comparison
St. George, UT vs Houston, TX
St. George, UT
$48,000 - $250,000
COL Index: 100.5
VS
Houston, TX
$51,000 - $267,000
COL Index: 96.5
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | St. George, UT | Houston, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$1,100 - $4,900 | $1,900 - $6,200 | -26% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$4,300 - $23,500 | $6,800 - $37,000 | -37% |
|
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
|
$8,800 - $70,400 | $9,200 - $73,600 | -4% |
|
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)
|
$8,000 - $30,200 | $7,700 - $29,000 | +4% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $48,000 - $250,000 | $51,000 - $267,000 | -6% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | St. George | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 100.5 | 96.5 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $12 - $28 | $18 - $45 |
| Labor Rate Index | 0.88 | 0.92 |
| Sales Tax | 6.75% | 8.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $7.25/hr | $7.25/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $54 | $300 |
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