Ice Cream Shop Startup Cost Comparison

Stockton, CA vs Houston, TX

Stockton, CA

$48,000 - $248,000

COL Index: 107.2

VS

Houston, TX

$51,000 - $267,000

COL Index: 96.5

Detailed Cost Comparison

Expense Stockton, CA Houston, TX Difference
Business Registration & Licenses
$1,400 - $5,600 $1,900 - $6,200 -14%
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
$3,500 - $18,800 $6,800 - $37,000 -49%
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)
$8,600 - $32,200 $7,700 - $29,000 +11%
Total Estimated Cost $48,000 - $248,000 $51,000 - $267,000 -7%

Local Market Factors

Factor Stockton Houston
Cost of Living Index 107.2 96.5
Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) $10 - $22 $18 - $45
Labor Rate Index 0.88 0.92
Sales Tax 9% 8.25%
Minimum Wage $16.00/hr $7.25/hr
LLC Filing Fee $70 $300

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