Farm Startup Cost Comparison
Great Falls, MT vs Chicago, IL
Great Falls, MT
$39,000 - $395,000
COL Index: 91.5
VS
Chicago, IL
$54,000 - $715,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Great Falls, MT | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$900 - $3,700 | $5,600 - $10,900 | -72% |
|
Land Purchase or Lease
|
$2,600 - $104,300 | $9,800 - $391,300 | -73% |
|
Farm Equipment & Machinery
|
$15,000 - $120,000 | $15,000 - $120,000 | Same |
|
Seeds, Plants, or Livestock
|
$2,000 - $30,000 | $2,000 - $30,000 | Same |
|
Structures & Fencing
|
$4,300 - $51,000 | $5,800 - $69,000 | -26% |
|
Irrigation System
|
$3,000 - $30,000 | $3,000 - $30,000 | Same |
|
Farm Insurance (Annual)
|
$2,000 - $10,000 | $2,000 - $10,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (6 Months)
|
$9,200 - $45,800 | $10,800 - $53,900 | -15% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $39,000 - $395,000 | $54,000 - $715,000 | -44% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Great Falls | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $8 - $16 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 0.85 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 0% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $10.30/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $70 | $150 |
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