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Should I Start a Coffee Shop in Houston? (2026 Viability Score)

Coffee Shop viability in Houston, TX — 67/100 (Good Fit). Scores four factors: startup cost, market size, business climate, and labor taxes.

No signup No tracking Last updated March 2026
Data current as of March 2026 Sources: SBA, BLS, Secretary of State filings, COLI data
67 / 100
Good Fit

Houston is a good fit for a coffee shop in 2026. The city scores well on multiple factors. First-year costs run approximately $143,778 — $51,150 upfront plus $7,719/month — adjusted for Houston's cost-of-living index of 93.0 (7% below the US average).

Score Breakdown

16/25
Entry Cost
First-year startup cost adjusted for COL
$143,778 year one
10/25
Market Size
Population × spending power
0 residents
16/25
Business Climate
LLC fees + state income tax
$300 LLC filing fee · no income tax
25/25
Labor Costs
SUTA + workers' comp rates
SUTA 0.015% · WC 0.0095%

Cost Snapshot for Houston

Item Amount
One-time startup costs $51,150
Monthly operating costs $7,719/mo
First-year total $143,778
LLC filing fee (TX) $300
Employer SUTA rate (TX) 0.015%
Workers' comp rate (TX) 0.0095%
Cost-of-living index 93.0 (US avg = 100)

All costs adjusted for Houston's cost-of-living index. National averages used for worker cost rates.

How Houston Compares

City Score
Houston, TX (this city) 67
Chicago, IL 67
Miami, FL 66
San Francisco, CA 68

Go Deeper

Can I Afford It?
Enter your savings and financing to see your funding gap for a coffee shop in Houston.
Full Cost Breakdown
Line-by-line startup cost breakdown for a coffee shop in Houston.
Form an LLC in TX
Step-by-step guide to registering your coffee shop as an LLC in TX.

How the Viability Score Works

The score combines four data-driven dimensions, each worth up to 25 points. It measures conditions in Houston, not your personal finances — a low score means the environment is harder, not that the business can't succeed.

1
Entry Cost (0–25)
First-year startup cost adjusted for Houston's cost-of-living index. Lower cost markets score higher.
2
Market Size (0–25)
City population scaled by cost-of-living index (a proxy for consumer spending power). Larger, wealthier markets score higher.
3
Business Climate (0–25)
LLC filing fee, annual report fees, and whether the state has a personal income tax. Lower fees and no income tax score higher.
4
Labor Costs (0–25)
State SUTA (unemployment tax) rate and workers' compensation rate. Lower payroll tax burden scores higher.

Data sources: SBA.gov (LLC fees), BLS QCEW (SUTA rates), NCCI (workers' comp), COLI (cost-of-living). Updated 2026.

Estimates only. These results are based on publicly available data and standard formulas. Actual costs may vary based on your specific circumstances. This calculator does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for advice on your situation.

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