Coffee Shop Startup Cost Comparison
Chicago, IL vs San Francisco, CA
Chicago, IL
$72,000 - $279,000
COL Index: 107.8
VS
San Francisco, CA
$92,000 - $373,000
COL Index: 179.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$5,600 - $10,900 | $4,200 - $18,500 | -27% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$11,700 - $58,700 | $19,600 - $97,800 | -40% |
|
Espresso Machines & Equipment
|
$20,000 - $80,000 | $20,000 - $80,000 | Same |
|
Initial Coffee & Food Inventory
|
$3,000 - $8,000 | $3,000 - $8,000 | Same |
|
Interior Build-Out & Renovation
|
$17,300 - $69,000 | $22,800 - $91,200 | -24% |
|
Business Insurance (Annual)
|
$2,000 - $7,000 | $2,000 - $7,000 | Same |
|
Marketing & Grand Opening
|
$2,000 - $8,000 | $2,000 - $8,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$10,800 - $37,700 | $18,000 - $62,900 | -40% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $72,000 - $279,000 | $92,000 - $373,000 | -25% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Chicago | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 107.8 | 179.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/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 |
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