Hair Salon Startup Cost Comparison
Portland, ME vs Chicago, IL
Portland, ME
$57,000 - $207,000
COL Index: 114.2
VS
Chicago, IL
$67,000 - $243,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Portland, ME | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$1,400 - $5,200 | $5,600 - $10,900 | -60% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$6,300 - $31,300 | $11,700 - $58,700 | -47% |
|
Salon Equipment & Stations
|
$15,000 - $60,000 | $15,000 - $60,000 | Same |
|
Initial Product Inventory
|
$3,000 - $10,000 | $3,000 - $10,000 | Same |
|
Interior Build-Out & Design
|
$15,600 - $52,000 | $17,300 - $57,500 | -10% |
|
Business Insurance (Annual)
|
$2,000 - $6,000 | $2,000 - $6,000 | Same |
|
Marketing & Launch
|
$2,000 - $8,000 | $2,000 - $8,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$11,400 - $34,300 | $10,800 - $32,300 | +6% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $57,000 - $207,000 | $67,000 - $243,000 | -15% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Portland | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 114.2 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $16 - $32 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.04 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 5.5% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $14.15/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $175 | $150 |
View Full Details
Ready to Start Your Hair Salon?
Start your Hair Salon LLC in — free registered agent for 1 year.
Form Your LLC for $0 + State Fee →Trusted by 500,000+ businesses · Excellent rating on Trustpilot