Catering Business Startup Cost Comparison
Montgomery, AL vs Chicago, IL
Montgomery, AL
$22,000 - $119,000
COL Index: 88.4
VS
Chicago, IL
$32,000 - $152,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Montgomery, AL | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$800 - $3,900 | $5,600 - $10,900 | -72% |
|
Commercial Kitchen Access
|
$2,200 - $13,300 | $5,900 - $35,200 | -62% |
|
Catering Equipment & Supplies
|
$5,000 - $30,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | Same |
|
Delivery Vehicle
|
$5,000 - $35,000 | $5,000 - $35,000 | Same |
|
Initial Food & Supply Inventory
|
$1,500 - $5,000 | $1,500 - $5,000 | Same |
|
Business Insurance (Annual)
|
$2,000 - $6,000 | $2,000 - $6,000 | Same |
|
Marketing & Branding
|
$1,500 - $8,000 | $1,500 - $8,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$4,400 - $17,700 | $5,400 - $21,600 | -18% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $22,000 - $119,000 | $32,000 - $152,000 | -23% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Montgomery | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 88.4 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $10 - $24 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 0.82 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 10% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $7.25/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $200 | $150 |
View Full Details
Ready to Start Your Catering Business?
Start your Catering Business LLC in — free registered agent for 1 year.
Form Your LLC for $0 + State Fee →Trusted by 500,000+ businesses · Excellent rating on Trustpilot