Food Truck Startup Cost Comparison
Louisville, KY vs Chicago, IL
Louisville, KY
$59,000 - $218,000
COL Index: 93.5
VS
Chicago, IL
$69,000 - $243,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Louisville, KY | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$1,400 - $5,100 | $5,600 - $10,900 | -61% |
|
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)
|
$5,900 - $17,600 | $11,700 - $35,200 | -50% |
|
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)
|
$4,700 - $14,000 | $5,400 - $16,200 | -13% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $59,000 - $218,000 | $69,000 - $243,000 | -11% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Louisville | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 93.5 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $13 - $32 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 0.88 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 6% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $7.25/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $40 | $150 |
View Full Details
Ready to Start Your Food Truck?
Start your Food Truck LLC in — free registered agent for 1 year.
Form Your LLC for $0 + State Fee →Trusted by 500,000+ businesses · Excellent rating on Trustpilot