Ice Cream Shop Startup Cost Comparison
St. Louis, MO vs Houston, TX
St. Louis, MO
$47,000 - $248,000
COL Index: 90.8
VS
Houston, TX
$51,000 - $267,000
COL Index: 96.5
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | St. Louis, MO | Houston, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$800 - $4,000 | $1,900 - $6,200 | -41% |
|
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
|
$9,000 - $72,000 | $9,200 - $73,600 | -2% |
|
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)
|
$7,300 - $27,200 | $7,700 - $29,000 | -6% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $47,000 - $248,000 | $51,000 - $267,000 | -7% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | St. Louis | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 90.8 | 96.5 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $12 - $28 | $18 - $45 |
| Labor Rate Index | 0.9 | 0.92 |
| Sales Tax | 9.679% | 8.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $12.30/hr | $7.25/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $50 | $300 |
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