Bowling Alley Startup Cost Comparison
New York, NY vs Chicago, IL
New York, NY
$721,000 - $4,907,000
COL Index: 187.2
VS
Chicago, IL
$512,000 - $3,392,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | New York, NY | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$2,000 - $8,000 | $2,000 - $8,000 | Same |
|
Facility Lease or Purchase
|
$347,800 - $2,782,600 | $195,700 - $1,565,200 | +78% |
|
Bowling Lanes & Equipment
|
$200,000 - $1,200,000 | $200,000 - $1,200,000 | Same |
|
Restaurant & Bar Build-Out
|
$43,500 - $290,000 | $34,500 - $230,000 | +26% |
|
Business Insurance (Annual)
|
$10,000 - $40,000 | $10,000 - $40,000 | Same |
|
Marketing & League Development
|
$5,000 - $25,000 | $5,000 - $25,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (6 Months)
|
$112,300 - $561,600 | $64,700 - $323,400 | +74% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $721,000 - $4,907,000 | $512,000 - $3,392,000 | +44% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | New York | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 187.2 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $40 - $120 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.45 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 8.875% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $16.00/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $200 | $150 |
View Full Details
Ready to Start Your Bowling Alley?
Start your Bowling Alley LLC in — free registered agent for 1 year.
Form Your LLC for $0 + State Fee →Trusted by 500,000+ businesses · Excellent rating on Trustpilot