Dental Practice Startup Cost Comparison
Chicago, IL vs San Francisco, CA
Chicago, IL
$330,000 - $827,000
COL Index: 107.8
VS
San Francisco, CA
$402,000 - $1,034,000
COL Index: 179.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Formation & Dental Licensing
|
$5,600 - $12,000 | $4,200 - $18,500 | -22% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$23,500 - $88,000 | $39,100 - $146,700 | -40% |
|
Dental Equipment & Technology
|
$150,000 - $350,000 | $150,000 - $350,000 | Same |
|
Dental Supplies & Materials
|
$10,000 - $30,000 | $10,000 - $30,000 | Same |
|
Dental Office Build-Out
|
$69,000 - $172,500 | $91,200 - $228,000 | -24% |
|
Malpractice & Business Insurance (Annual)
|
$8,000 - $20,000 | $8,000 - $20,000 | Same |
|
Marketing & Patient Acquisition
|
$10,000 - $25,000 | $10,000 - $25,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3-6 Months)
|
$53,900 - $129,400 | $89,900 - $215,800 | -40% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $330,000 - $827,000 | $402,000 - $1,034,000 | -19% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Chicago | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 107.8 | 179.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/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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