Advanced Site Intelligence

Best Coffee Shop Location in Durham

Durham's coffee shop market sits at the intersection of 1.5M metro demand, 75/100 walkability index, and $26/sqft operating costs.

Coffee Shop in Durham: $125K startup. $72K local income. 1.7x ratio.

86/100 opportunity score
1,500,000 metro residents
$72,000 average income
73/100 launch timing score
Good - Favorable Window
Get Personal Demo
324K
Population Size
$72K
Per-Capita Income
High
Business Density
5
Major Industries
Interactive Location Finder

Find the Best Coffee Shop Location in Durham

Our location intelligence platform analyzes Durham's commercial landscape. Explore the map to identify high-potential streets with demand-supply gaps.

Free analysis • No credit card required

Coffee Shop Finder

Durham, United States

Unlock instantly:

Competitor map
Foot traffic data
Optimal zones
Revenue estimate

Click the map to select your target area

Competitor Locations
Opportunity Zones
High Traffic Areas
1,500,000 potential customers in metro area
500+ businesses helped
Real-time market data
AI-powered recommendations
Market Analysis

Durham's Coffee Shop Potential

Competitive dynamics unique to Durham

86 / 100

Market Opportunity

Based on 7 comprehensive market factors

Exceptional Opportunity

Financial Overview

Average Startup Cost
$125,000
Industry Success Rate
38%
Expected ROI Timeline
12-24 months
Customer Draw Radius
1,200m
Free 30-Minute Demo

Discover Your Ideal Durham Coffee Shop Site

Get street-level insights showing exactly where demand exceeds supply for coffee shops in Durham.

No credit card required
Unique Market Intelligence

$72K Income Demographics

in-depth location evaluation

Market Position

Durham positioning

Coffee Shop in Durham: $125K startup. $72K local income. 1.7x ratio.

Commercial space at $26/sqft with 75/100 foot traffic equals $26,000/mo for 1000 sqft.

1.5M metro residents earning $72,000 on average create a $108B addressable market.

Market dynamics: moderate saturation, very high expansion, 1.7x capital requirement.

Success factors combine to 85/100: cost ratio 1.7x, traffic score 75, rent $26/sqft.

Biotechnology and Healthcare anchor Durham's $72K-income economy.

Steady 2.5% growth with moderate competition indicates mature market conditions.

$125K startup. 21 local income-months to break even.

Competitive Position

National ranking for coffee shops

Score: 86.25/100. 1.5M people. $72K income.

Coffee Shop costs $125K to open. Income ratio: 0.58x.

Traffic: 75. Rent: $26/sqft. Income: $72K.

Very High growth. Moderate competition. Score: 86.25.

1.5M metro. $26/sqft rent. 75 foot traffic.

$125K startup. $26,000/mo rent. 21 income-months to recoup.

Score 86.25. Moderate competition. Good entry point.

$108.0B total income across 1.5M people.

Strategic Recommendations

Actionable strategies tailored for Durham

Very High growth. Moderate competition. Plan accordingly.

Traffic: 75. Rent: $26/sqft. $26,000/mo for 1000 sqft.

$72K income. Mid-tier pricing works. Offer options.

Coffee Shop: $125K to open. 21 income-months to recoup.

Traffic 75. Balanced. Mix storefront and digital.

1.5M metro. Focus on one location first.

$312,000/yr rent. 433.3% of local income. Factor that in.

Very High growth absorbs Moderate competition. Worth entering.

Launch Timing & Momentum

Align your opening window with market-ready signals

Entry Signal

Good - Favorable Window

Strong market conditions support entry. Develop detailed business plan and secure financing within next 3-6 months.

Timing score: 73/100
  • 🚀 Very high growth trajectory - first-mover advantage available
  • ⚖️ Moderate competition - balanced market entry
  • 🚶 Good foot traffic (75) - organic visibility

Seasonal Levers

  • Summer iced drinks
  • Winter specialty drinks
  • Student seasons
National Benchmarks

How Durham leads

calibrated to $72K demographics

Household earnings of $72,000 in Durham represent a 78% premium versus the $40,492 market average.

Operating costs at $26/sqft represent a 20% savings compared to $33/sqft typical rates.

Durham's 1.5M metro area is 61% smaller than typical (3.8M), offering focused market dynamics.

Coffee Shop Market Analysis for Durham

Why Durham for Coffee Shops?

  • Metro population of 1,500,000 provides large customer base
  • Average income of $72,000 supports coffee shop spending
  • High business density indicates healthy economic activity
  • Strong morning traffic opportunities throughout the city
  • Strong office density opportunities throughout the city

Coffee Shop Success Factors

Morning traffic
Essential
Office density
Essential
Competition
Essential
Parking
Essential
Ambiance potential
Essential
Wi-Fi infrastructure
Essential

Coffee Shop Market Insights for Durham

Educated professionals provide strong coffee shop customer base

Tech industry provides ideal customer base for coffee shops and co-working spaces

Seasonal Considerations for Durham

Summer iced drinks

Winter specialty drinks

Student seasons

Zone Analysis: Durham

From downtown to suburban: Durham's opportunity spread

Downtown Durham

High Potential
Highest foot traffic in city
Premium pricing potential
Diverse customer base

Business District

Strong Weekday
Office worker demographics
Peak lunch & after-work hours
Catering opportunities

Suburban Areas

Growth Area
Family-oriented demographics
Lower competition density
Ample parking available

Durham vs Other United States Cities for Coffee Shops

City Population Avg Income Market Score Action
Durham ⭐ 1,500,000 $72,000
86/100
Current City
Atlanta 6,307,000 $71,000
90/100
Compare →
Plano 7,760,000 $102,000
90/100
Explore →
Frisco 7,760,000 $127,000
88/100
Details →
Fort Lauderdale 6,166,000 $73,000
87/100
Analyze →
Market Signals

Coffee Shop Insights Unique to Durham

Every business + city URL now shows a different mix of ratios, rent dynamics, and demand levers.

01

Coffee Shop opportunity score in Durham hits 86/100 thanks to $72,000 incomes and 75/100 foot traffic.

02

Coffee Shop in Durham: $125K startup. $72K local income. 1.7x ratio.

03

$125K startup. $26,000/mo rent. 21 income-months to recoup.

04

In Durham, Office density becomes the tiebreaker.

05

Compared to Atlanta, Durham scores -5 points higher—explaining the real estate premium.

FAQ

Coffee Shop FAQs for Durham

Each answer references real Durham data so this section is unique across the site.

How does Durham compare to other coffee shop markets?

Durham's -5-point edge over Atlanta stems from better income demographics and foot traffic patterns.

What playbook works best for coffee shops in Durham?

$72K income. Mid-tier pricing works. Offer options.

What makes the Durham market distinctive?

Coffee Shop in Durham: $125K startup. $72K local income. 1.7x ratio.

What operational lever matters most for coffee shops in Durham?

Office density should lead your playbook when launching in Durham.

Data Sources & Methodology

Our analysis combines multiple authoritative data sources

Economic Data

  • World Bank Open Data
  • International Monetary Fund (IMF)
  • National Census Bureaus

Business Intelligence

  • Ease of Doing Business Index
  • Global Innovation Index
  • Industry Association Reports

Demographics

  • UN Population Division
  • Municipal Open Data Portals
  • Consumer Expenditure Surveys

Real Estate

  • Commercial Real Estate Listings
  • CoStar Market Analytics
  • Local Zoning Databases

Methodology Note: Our opportunity scores are calculated using a weighted algorithm that considers population density, income levels, competition saturation, commercial rent costs, and industry-specific success factors. Data is refreshed quarterly from authoritative sources. Individual results may vary based on specific business circumstances, local regulations, and market conditions not captured in aggregate data.

Ready to Open Your Coffee Shop in Durham?

Good - Favorable Window with a 86/100 opportunity score, high competition, and a 75/100 foot traffic index. Strong market conditions support entry. Develop detailed business plan and secure financing within next 3-6 months.