Catering Business Startup Cost Comparison
Seattle, WA vs New York, NY
Seattle, WA
$32,000 - $165,000
COL Index: 147.1
VS
New York, NY
$40,000 - $201,000
COL Index: 187.2
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Seattle, WA | New York, NY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$2,800 - $12,200 | $5,300 - $17,100 | -33% |
|
Commercial Kitchen Access
|
$6,500 - $39,100 | $10,400 - $62,600 | -38% |
|
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)
|
$7,400 - $29,400 | $9,400 - $37,400 | -21% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $32,000 - $165,000 | $40,000 - $201,000 | -18% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Seattle | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 147.1 | 187.2 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $28 - $72 | $40 - $120 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.4 | 1.45 |
| Sales Tax | 10.25% | 8.875% |
| Minimum Wage | $19.97/hr | $16.00/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $200 | $200 |
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