Distillery Startup Cost Comparison
Milwaukee, WI vs Chicago, IL
Milwaukee, WI
$84,000 - $773,000
COL Index: 95.8
VS
Chicago, IL
$114,000 - $1,072,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Milwaukee, WI | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$500 - $5,000 | $500 - $5,000 | Same |
|
Commercial Space & Build-Out
|
$30,000 - $300,000 | $58,700 - $587,000 | -49% |
|
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)
|
$14,400 - $95,800 | $16,200 - $107,800 | -11% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $84,000 - $773,000 | $114,000 - $1,072,000 | -28% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Milwaukee | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 95.8 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/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 |
View Full Details
Ready to Start Your Distillery?
Start your Distillery LLC in — free registered agent for 1 year.
Form Your LLC for $0 + State Fee →Trusted by 500,000+ businesses · Excellent rating on Trustpilot