Distillery Startup Cost Comparison
Asheville, NC vs Chicago, IL
Asheville, NC
$91,000 - $835,000
COL Index: 105.8
VS
Chicago, IL
$114,000 - $1,072,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Asheville, NC | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$500 - $5,000 | $500 - $5,000 | Same |
|
Commercial Space & Build-Out
|
$35,200 - $352,200 | $58,700 - $587,000 | -40% |
|
Equipment & Fixtures
|
$25,000 - $250,000 | $25,000 - $250,000 | Same |
|
Initial Inventory & Supplies
|
$10,000 - $100,000 | $10,000 - $100,000 | Same |
|
Business Insurance (Annual)
|
$2,000 - $12,000 | $2,000 - $12,000 | Same |
|
Marketing & Grand Opening
|
$2,000 - $10,000 | $2,000 - $10,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$15,900 - $105,800 | $16,200 - $107,800 | -2% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $91,000 - $835,000 | $114,000 - $1,072,000 | -22% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Asheville | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 105.8 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $16 - $38 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 0.95 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 7.25% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $7.25/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $125 | $150 |
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