Hair Salon Startup Cost Comparison
Rochester, NY vs Chicago, IL
Rochester, NY
$51,000 - $182,000
COL Index: 87.9
VS
Chicago, IL
$67,000 - $243,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Rochester, NY | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$2,400 - $8,100 | $5,600 - $10,900 | -36% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$3,800 - $18,900 | $11,700 - $58,700 | -68% |
|
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
|
$13,500 - $45,000 | $17,300 - $57,500 | -22% |
|
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)
|
$8,800 - $26,400 | $10,800 - $32,300 | -18% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $51,000 - $182,000 | $67,000 - $243,000 | -25% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Rochester | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 87.9 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $9 - $20 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 0.9 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 8% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $15.00/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $200 | $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