Bar / Brewery Startup Costs: Denver, CO vs Long Beach, CA (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of one-time expenses, monthly costs, and first-year budget adjusted for local cost of living.
Opening a bar / brewery in Denver saves approximately $118,508 (27.7%) compared to Long Beach in 2026, with first-year costs of $308,672 vs $427,180.
First-Year Savings
Denver saves $118,508 (27.7%) for a Bar / Brewery
$308,672 in Denver vs $427,180 in Long Beach
Denver, CO
$308,672
First-year total (mid)
COL index: 112.0
Long Beach, CA
$427,180
First-year total (mid)
COL index: 155.0
First-Year Budget Comparison
Mid-range estimates for bar / brewery startup
| Category | Denver | Long Beach | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-Time Costs | $156,800 | $217,000 | -$60,200 |
| Monthly Costs x 12 | $151,872 | $210,180 | -$58,308 |
| Total First Year | $308,672 | $427,180 | -$118,508 |
One-Time Startup Costs
Upfront investment comparison (mid estimates)
| Expense | Denver | Long Beach | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment & Draft Systems | $78,400 | $108,500 | -$30,100 |
| Initial Inventory | $13,440 | $18,600 | -$5,160 |
| Liquor License | $16,800 | $23,250 | -$6,450 |
| Renovations | $44,800 | $62,000 | -$17,200 |
| Signage & Branding | $3,360 | $4,650 | -$1,290 |
| Total One-Time | $156,800 | $217,000 | -$60,200 |
Monthly Operating Costs
Recurring expense comparison (mid estimates)
| Expense | Denver/mo | Long Beach/mo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beverages & Ingredients | $5,600 | $7,750 | -$2,150 |
| Insurance | $896 | $1,240 | -$344 |
| Rent | $5,040 | $6,975 | -$1,935 |
| Utilities | $1,120 | $1,550 | -$430 |
| Total Monthly | $12,656 | $17,515 | -$4,859 |
City Business Profiles
Denver, CO
Denver's COL index of 112 reflects its transformation from a regional hub to a national tech and outdoor lifestyle destination, with significant wage and rent appreciation since 2015.
aerospace & defense, cannabis industry, technology
Colorado's FAMLI paid family leave program (launched 2024) adds to employer overhead; Denver businesses compete with Boulder and Fort Collins for the same workforce.
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach has a COL index of 155 with California's full employer obligation suite, but its port and logistics economy provides unique business opportunities unavailable in most US markets.
port & maritime trade, aerospace, healthcare
The Port of Long Beach (with LA) handles roughly 40% of US containerized imports; businesses in trade and logistics that can tolerate California's costs benefit from unmatched supply chain access.
What This Means for Your Bar / Brewery
Denver has a cost of living index of 112.0 while Long Beach sits at 155.0 (national average = 100). This means every expense — rent, equipment, supplies, insurance — costs proportionally more in the higher-indexed city.
Over the first year, opening a bar / brewery in Denver saves an estimated $118,508 (27.7%) compared to Long Beach. The monthly operating cost difference alone accounts for $58,308 of that gap over 12 months.
These estimates use national average startup costs for a bar / brewery, adjusted by each city's cost of living factor. Actual costs vary based on your specific location, size of operation, and current market conditions. Use the interactive Startup Cost Calculator to customize expenses for your situation.
Explore Each City
Compare Other Business Types: Denver vs Long Beach
Tools to Launch Your Business in Denver and Long Beach
Track expenses, manage finances, and stay on budget from day one.
Track startup expenses, manage cash flow, and see where every dollar goes.
Simple invoicing and expense tracking built for small business owners.
Bookkeeping service so you can focus on building your business, not spreadsheets.
Some links may be affiliate links. CostCrunch may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Get startup cost updates for your city
We update startup cost data when cost-of-living changes. Get an alert when your city's data is refreshed.
More Bar / Brewery City Comparisons
Was this calculator helpful?
Your feedback helps us improve CostCrunch
Thank you for your feedback! ✓
Save Your Results
Download a professional PDF report with your complete analysis, charts, and key insights.
Download Your Report
Enter your email to get your personalized PDF report. We'll also send you useful financial tips.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
More Free Calculators
Break-Even Calculator
Find how many units to sell to cover costs
Markup & Margin
Convert between markup and margin percentages
Startup Cost Estimator
Estimate one-time and recurring startup costs
Loan Comparison
Compare loan options side by side
Profit Margin Calculator
Calculate gross, operating, and net margins
Employee Cost Calculator
Find the true cost of hiring an employee
Payroll Tax Calculator
Estimate employer payroll taxes by state
Cash Flow Forecast
Project cash flow and calculate runway
W-2 vs 1099 Calculator
Compare employee vs contractor costs
Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Estimate SE tax and quarterly payments for freelancers
Salary to Hourly Calculator
Convert between salary and hourly rate
Get notified when tax rates change
We monitor payroll tax rates, SUTA, and cost-of-living data across all 50 states. When rates change, we'll let you know. Free, no spam.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe with one click.