Brewery Startup Cost Comparison
Chicago, IL vs San Francisco, CA
Chicago, IL
$279,000 - $1,594,000
COL Index: 107.8
VS
San Francisco, CA
$404,000 - $2,289,000
COL Index: 179.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$500 - $5,000 | $500 - $5,000 | Same |
|
Commercial Space & Build-Out
|
$146,700 - $880,400 | $244,600 - $1,467,400 | -40% |
|
Equipment & Fixtures
|
$62,500 - $375,000 | $62,500 - $375,000 | Same |
|
Initial Inventory & Supplies
|
$25,000 - $150,000 | $25,000 - $150,000 | Same |
|
Business Insurance (Annual)
|
$2,000 - $12,000 | $2,000 - $12,000 | Same |
|
Marketing & Grand Opening
|
$2,000 - $10,000 | $2,000 - $10,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$40,400 - $161,700 | $67,400 - $269,700 | -40% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $279,000 - $1,594,000 | $404,000 - $2,289,000 | -30% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Chicago | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 107.8 | 179.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $25 - $65 | $40 - $110 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.15 | 1.52 |
| Sales Tax | 10.25% | 8.625% |
| Minimum Wage | $15.80/hr | $18.67/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $150 | $70 |
View Full Details
Ready to Start Your Brewery?
Start your Brewery LLC in — free registered agent for 1 year.
Form Your LLC for $0 + State Fee →Trusted by 500,000+ businesses · Excellent rating on Trustpilot