Coffee Shop Startup Cost Comparison
Milwaukee, WI vs Chicago, IL
Milwaukee, WI
$57,000 - $226,000
COL Index: 95.8
VS
Chicago, IL
$72,000 - $279,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Milwaukee, WI | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$900 - $4,000 | $5,600 - $10,900 | -70% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$6,000 - $30,000 | $11,700 - $58,700 | -49% |
|
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
|
$13,800 - $55,200 | $17,300 - $69,000 | -20% |
|
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)
|
$9,600 - $33,500 | $10,800 - $37,700 | -11% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $57,000 - $226,000 | $72,000 - $279,000 | -19% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Milwaukee | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 95.8 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $14 - $32 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 0.92 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 5.5% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $7.25/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $130 | $150 |
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