Strategic Location Insights

Best Coffee Shop Location in Raleigh

Raleigh's 1.5M metro area generates a 73/100 foot traffic index, creating high competition among coffee shops targeting the $72,000 income demographic.

Launching a coffee shop in Raleigh requires $125K capital against $72K household income (1.7x multiple).

85/100 opportunity score
1,468,000 metro residents
$72,000 average income
73/100 launch timing score
Good - Favorable Window
Talk to Analyst
477K
City Population
$72K
HH Income
High
Biz Concentration
5
Economic Drivers
Interactive Location Finder

Find the Best Coffee Shop Location in Raleigh

Interactive map analysis for Raleigh. Click any area to reveal foot traffic patterns, competitor density, and demographic insights for your coffee shop.

Free analysis • No credit card required

Coffee Shop Finder

Raleigh, 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
1,468,000 potential customers in metro area
500+ businesses helped
Real-time market data
AI-powered recommendations
Market Analysis

Coffee Shop Success Factors in Raleigh

Market nuances specific to Raleigh's demographics

85 / 100

Market Opportunity

Based on 7 comprehensive market factors

A+ Market Rating

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

Find the Perfect Coffee Shop Location in Raleigh

We'll pinpoint the best neighborhoods and exact addresses where your coffee shop will thrive—with competitor gaps, demographics, and revenue potential.

No credit card required
Unique Market Intelligence

Market Forces Shaping Raleigh

objective location benchmarking

Market Position

Raleigh positioning

Launching a coffee shop in Raleigh requires $125K capital against $72K household income (1.7x multiple).

Operating in Raleigh: $28/sqft rent, 73-point foot traffic, $28,000/mo baseline for 1K sqft unit.

1.5M metro residents earning $72,000 on average create a $106B addressable market.

Entry conditions: 1.7x funding multiple against moderate competition and very high trajectory.

Success factors combine to 84/100: cost ratio 1.7x, traffic score 73, rent $28/sqft.

Technology and Education anchor Raleigh'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: 85.95/100. 1.5M people. $72K income.

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

Traffic: 73. Rent: $28/sqft. Income: $72K.

Very High growth. Moderate competition. Score: 85.95.

1.5M metro. $28/sqft rent. 73 foot traffic.

$125K startup. $28,000/mo rent. 21 income-months to recoup.

Score 85.95. Moderate competition. Good entry point.

$105.7B total income across 1.5M people.

Strategic Recommendations

Actionable strategies tailored for Raleigh

Very High growth. Moderate competition. Plan accordingly.

Traffic: 73. Rent: $28/sqft. $28,000/mo for 1000 sqft.

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

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

Traffic 73. Balanced. Mix storefront and digital.

1.5M metro. Focus on one location first.

$336,000/yr rent. 466.7% 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 (73) - organic visibility

Seasonal Levers

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

How Raleigh leads

calibrated to $72K demographics

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

Operating costs at $28/sqft represent a 14% savings compared to $33/sqft typical rates.

The 73/100 pedestrian score represents 7% weaker organic discovery versus market baseline (79/100).

Raleigh's 1.5M metro area is 62% smaller than typical (3.8M), offering focused market dynamics.

Coffee Shop Market Analysis for Raleigh

Why Raleigh for Coffee Shops?

  • Metro population of 1,468,000 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 Raleigh

Educated professionals provide strong coffee shop customer base

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

Seasonal Considerations for Raleigh

Summer iced drinks

Winter specialty drinks

Student seasons

Finding Your Spot in Raleigh

Commercial corridors serving $72K earners

Downtown Raleigh

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

Raleigh vs Other United States Cities for Coffee Shops

City Population Avg Income Market Score Action
Raleigh ⭐ 1,468,000 $72,000
85/100
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 Raleigh

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

01

1.5M metro. $28/sqft rent. 73 foot traffic.

02

In Raleigh, Office density becomes the tiebreaker.

03

The -5-point advantage over Atlanta shows why Raleigh maintains higher commercial rents.

04

Our coffee shop opportunity index scores Raleigh at 86/100—reflecting $72,000 resident earnings and 73 traffic rating.

05

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

FAQ

Coffee Shop FAQs for Raleigh

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

What makes the Raleigh market distinctive?

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

What operational lever matters most for coffee shops in Raleigh?

Office density should lead your playbook when launching in Raleigh.

How does Raleigh compare to other coffee shop markets?

Our data shows Raleigh scoring -5 points above Atlanta, making it the stronger coffee shop market.

What playbook works best for coffee shops in Raleigh?

1.5M metro. Focus on one location first.

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 Raleigh?

Good - Favorable Window with a 85/100 opportunity score, high competition, and a 73/100 foot traffic index. Strong market conditions support entry. Develop detailed business plan and secure financing within next 3-6 months.