Food Truck Startup Cost Comparison
Chicago, IL vs Houston, TX
Chicago, IL
$69,000 - $243,000
COL Index: 107.8
VS
Houston, TX
$61,000 - $226,000
COL Index: 96.5
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Chicago, IL | Houston, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$5,600 - $10,900 | $1,900 - $6,200 | +104% |
|
Food Truck Vehicle
|
$30,000 - $120,000 | $30,000 - $120,000 | Same |
|
Kitchen Equipment
|
$10,000 - $40,000 | $10,000 - $40,000 | Same |
|
Initial Food Inventory
|
$1,500 - $5,000 | $1,500 - $5,000 | Same |
|
Commissary Kitchen (Annual)
|
$11,700 - $35,200 | $8,200 - $24,700 | +43% |
|
Business & Vehicle Insurance (Annual)
|
$3,000 - $8,000 | $3,000 - $8,000 | Same |
|
Marketing & Branding
|
$2,000 - $8,000 | $2,000 - $8,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$5,400 - $16,200 | $4,800 - $14,500 | +12% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $69,000 - $243,000 | $61,000 - $226,000 | +9% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Chicago | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 107.8 | 96.5 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $25 - $65 | $18 - $45 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.15 | 0.92 |
| Sales Tax | 10.25% | 8.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $15.80/hr | $7.25/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $150 | $300 |
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