Barbershop Startup Cost Comparison
Raleigh, NC vs Chicago, IL
Raleigh, NC
$40,000 - $150,000
COL Index: 100.8
VS
Chicago, IL
$50,000 - $179,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Raleigh, NC | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$1,400 - $5,100 | $5,600 - $10,900 | -61% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$5,500 - $27,400 | $8,800 - $44,000 | -38% |
|
Barber Chairs & Stations
|
$10,000 - $40,000 | $10,000 - $40,000 | Same |
|
Initial Product Inventory
|
$1,500 - $5,000 | $1,500 - $5,000 | Same |
|
Interior Build-Out & Design
|
$10,200 - $35,700 | $11,500 - $40,300 | -11% |
|
Business Insurance (Annual)
|
$1,500 - $5,000 | $1,500 - $5,000 | Same |
|
Marketing & Launch
|
$2,000 - $7,000 | $2,000 - $7,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$8,100 - $25,200 | $8,600 - $27,000 | -6% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $40,000 - $150,000 | $50,000 - $179,000 | -17% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Raleigh | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 100.8 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $16 - $40 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.02 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 7.25% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $7.25/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $125 | $150 |
View Full Details
Ready to Start Your Barbershop?
Start your Barbershop LLC in — free registered agent for 1 year.
Form Your LLC for $0 + State Fee →Trusted by 500,000+ businesses · Excellent rating on Trustpilot