Aquaponics Farm Startup Cost Comparison
Wilmington, NC vs Chicago, IL
Wilmington, NC
$17,000 - $135,000
COL Index: 99.8
VS
Chicago, IL
$23,000 - $150,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Wilmington, NC | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$1,400 - $6,100 | $5,600 - $10,900 | -55% |
|
Aquaponics System & Tanks
|
$5,000 - $50,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | Same |
|
Greenhouse or Growing Structure
|
$4,800 - $38,000 | $5,800 - $46,000 | -17% |
|
Fish Stock & Feed
|
$500 - $5,000 | $500 - $5,000 | Same |
|
Seeds, Seedlings & Growing Supplies
|
$500 - $3,000 | $500 - $3,000 | Same |
|
Water Quality Monitoring & Controls
|
$1,000 - $8,000 | $1,000 - $8,000 | Same |
|
Insurance & Marketing
|
$1,000 - $5,000 | $1,000 - $5,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$3,000 - $20,000 | $3,200 - $21,600 | -7% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $17,000 - $135,000 | $23,000 - $150,000 | -12% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Wilmington | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 99.8 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $14 - $28 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 0.95 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 7% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $7.25/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $125 | $150 |
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