Coffee Shop Startup Cost Comparison
St. Louis, MO vs Chicago, IL
St. Louis, MO
$56,000 - $219,000
COL Index: 90.8
VS
Chicago, IL
$72,000 - $279,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | St. Louis, MO | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$800 - $4,000 | $5,600 - $10,900 | -71% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$5,200 - $26,100 | $11,700 - $58,700 | -56% |
|
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
|
$13,500 - $54,000 | $17,300 - $69,000 | -22% |
|
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)
|
$9,100 - $31,800 | $10,800 - $37,700 | -16% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $56,000 - $219,000 | $72,000 - $279,000 | -22% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | St. Louis | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 90.8 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $12 - $28 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 0.9 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 9.679% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $12.30/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $50 | $150 |
View Full Details
Ready to Start Your Coffee Shop?
Start your Coffee Shop LLC in — free registered agent for 1 year.
Form Your LLC for $0 + State Fee →Trusted by 500,000+ businesses · Excellent rating on Trustpilot