Bar Startup Cost Comparison
San Francisco, CA vs Chicago, IL
San Francisco, CA
$131,000 - $554,000
COL Index: 179.8
VS
Chicago, IL
$100,000 - $409,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | San Francisco, CA | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Liquor License
|
$4,200 - $18,500 | $5,600 - $15,000 | +10% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$29,300 - $171,200 | $17,600 - $102,700 | +67% |
|
Bar Equipment & Fixtures
|
$15,000 - $60,000 | $15,000 - $60,000 | Same |
|
Initial Liquor & Beverage Inventory
|
$8,000 - $25,000 | $8,000 - $25,000 | Same |
|
Interior Build-Out & Renovation
|
$38,000 - $152,000 | $28,800 - $115,000 | +32% |
|
Sound System & Security
|
$5,000 - $25,000 | $5,000 - $25,000 | Same |
|
Business Insurance (Annual)
|
$4,000 - $12,000 | $4,000 - $12,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$27,000 - $89,900 | $16,200 - $53,900 | +67% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $131,000 - $554,000 | $100,000 - $409,000 | +35% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | San Francisco | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 179.8 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $40 - $110 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.52 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 8.625% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $18.67/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $70 | $150 |
View Full Details
Ready to Start Your Bar?
Start your Bar LLC in — free registered agent for 1 year.
Form Your LLC for $0 + State Fee →Trusted by 500,000+ businesses · Excellent rating on Trustpilot