Ice Cream Shop Startup Cost Comparison
Billings, MT vs Los Angeles, CA
Billings, MT
$47,000 - $247,000
COL Index: 98.5
VS
Los Angeles, CA
$69,000 - $361,000
COL Index: 166.5
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Billings, MT | Los Angeles, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$1,300 - $5,900 | $4,000 - $14,400 | -61% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$3,700 - $20,000 | $12,500 - $67,500 | -70% |
|
Ice Cream Equipment & Fixtures
|
$20,000 - $100,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | Same |
|
Initial Ingredients & Supplies
|
$2,000 - $8,000 | $2,000 - $8,000 | Same |
|
Interior Build-Out & Design
|
$8,800 - $70,400 | $13,500 - $108,000 | -35% |
|
Business Insurance (Annual)
|
$1,500 - $5,000 | $1,500 - $5,000 | Same |
|
Marketing & Grand Opening
|
$2,000 - $8,000 | $2,000 - $8,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$7,900 - $29,600 | $13,300 - $50,000 | -41% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $47,000 - $247,000 | $69,000 - $361,000 | -32% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Billings | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 98.5 | 166.5 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $10 - $24 | $30 - $85 |
| Labor Rate Index | 0.88 | 1.35 |
| Sales Tax | 0% | 9.5% |
| Minimum Wage | $10.30/hr | $16.78/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $70 | $70 |
View Full Details
Ready to Start Your Ice Cream Shop?
Start your Ice Cream Shop LLC in — free registered agent for 1 year.
Form Your LLC for $0 + State Fee →Trusted by 500,000+ businesses · Excellent rating on Trustpilot