Ice Cream Shop Startup Cost Comparison
Boulder, CO vs Chicago, IL
Boulder, CO
$63,000 - $335,000
COL Index: 148.2
VS
Chicago, IL
$61,000 - $309,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Boulder, CO | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$2,200 - $8,900 | $5,600 - $10,900 | -33% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$10,100 - $54,600 | $9,800 - $52,800 | +3% |
|
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
|
$13,200 - $105,600 | $11,500 - $92,000 | +15% |
|
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)
|
$11,900 - $44,500 | $8,600 - $32,300 | +38% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $63,000 - $335,000 | $61,000 - $309,000 | +8% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Boulder | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 148.2 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $28 - $65 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.32 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 9.045% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $14.42/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $50 | $150 |
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