Oil Change Shop Startup Cost Comparison
Wilmington, NC vs Houston, TX
Wilmington, NC
$41,000 - $222,000
COL Index: 99.8
VS
Houston, TX
$44,000 - $240,000
COL Index: 96.5
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Wilmington, NC | Houston, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$1,400 - $6,100 | $1,900 - $6,200 | -7% |
|
Facility Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$6,800 - $41,100 | $10,300 - $61,600 | -33% |
|
Service Equipment
|
$10,000 - $50,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | Same |
|
Initial Oil & Fluid Inventory
|
$3,000 - $15,000 | $3,000 - $15,000 | Same |
|
Facility Build-Out
|
$7,600 - $57,000 | $7,400 - $55,200 | +3% |
|
Waste Oil Management System
|
$2,000 - $10,000 | $2,000 - $10,000 | Same |
|
Business Insurance (Annual)
|
$2,500 - $10,000 | $2,500 - $10,000 | Same |
|
Marketing & Signage
|
$1,500 - $8,000 | $1,500 - $8,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$6,000 - $25,000 | $5,800 - $24,100 | +4% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $41,000 - $222,000 | $44,000 - $240,000 | -7% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Wilmington | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 99.8 | 96.5 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $14 - $28 | $18 - $45 |
| Labor Rate Index | 0.95 | 0.92 |
| Sales Tax | 7% | 8.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $7.25/hr | $7.25/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $125 | $300 |
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