Ice Cream Shop Startup Cost Comparison
Great Falls, MT vs Chicago, IL
Great Falls, MT
$45,000 - $234,000
COL Index: 91.5
VS
Chicago, IL
$61,000 - $309,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Great Falls, MT | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$900 - $3,700 | $5,600 - $10,900 | -72% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$2,600 - $14,100 | $9,800 - $52,800 | -73% |
|
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
|
$8,500 - $68,000 | $11,500 - $92,000 | -26% |
|
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)
|
$7,300 - $27,500 | $8,600 - $32,300 | -15% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $45,000 - $234,000 | $61,000 - $309,000 | -25% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Great Falls | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $8 - $16 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 0.85 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 0% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $10.30/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $70 | $150 |
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