Meal Prep Business Startup Cost Comparison

Brownsville, TX vs Houston, TX

Brownsville, TX

$14,000 - $71,000

COL Index: 82.5

VS

Houston, TX

$18,000 - $86,000

COL Index: 96.5

Detailed Cost Comparison

Expense Brownsville, TX Houston, TX Difference
Business Registration & Licenses
$1,200 - $4,700 $1,900 - $6,200 -27%
Commercial Kitchen Access
$1,800 - $9,100 $4,100 - $20,500 -56%
Kitchen Equipment & Supplies
$3,000 - $20,000 $3,000 - $20,000 Same
Initial Food Inventory
$1,000 - $5,000 $1,000 - $5,000 Same
Packaging & Labeling
$800 - $4,000 $800 - $4,000 Same
Business Insurance (Annual)
$1,500 - $5,000 $1,500 - $5,000 Same
Marketing & Customer Acquisition
$1,500 - $8,000 $1,500 - $8,000 Same
Working Capital (3 Months)
$3,300 - $14,900 $3,900 - $17,400 -15%
Total Estimated Cost $14,000 - $71,000 $18,000 - $86,000 -18%

Local Market Factors

Factor Brownsville Houston
Cost of Living Index 82.5 96.5
Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) $8 - $20 $18 - $45
Labor Rate Index 0.75 0.92
Sales Tax 8.25% 8.25%
Minimum Wage $7.25/hr $7.25/hr
LLC Filing Fee $300 $300

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