Coffee Shop Startup Cost Comparison
Portland, ME vs Chicago, IL
Portland, ME
$62,000 - $242,000
COL Index: 114.2
VS
Chicago, IL
$72,000 - $279,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Portland, ME | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$1,400 - $5,200 | $5,600 - $10,900 | -60% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$6,300 - $31,300 | $11,700 - $58,700 | -47% |
|
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
|
$15,600 - $62,400 | $17,300 - $69,000 | -10% |
|
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)
|
$11,400 - $40,000 | $10,800 - $37,700 | +6% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $62,000 - $242,000 | $72,000 - $279,000 | -13% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Portland | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 114.2 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $16 - $32 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.04 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 5.5% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $14.15/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $175 | $150 |
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