Ice Cream Shop Startup Cost Comparison
New York, NY vs Chicago, IL
New York, NY
$78,000 - $404,000
COL Index: 187.2
VS
Chicago, IL
$61,000 - $309,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | New York, NY | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$5,300 - $17,100 | $5,600 - $10,900 | +36% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$17,400 - $93,900 | $9,800 - $52,800 | +78% |
|
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
|
$14,500 - $116,000 | $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)
|
$15,000 - $56,200 | $8,600 - $32,300 | +74% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $78,000 - $404,000 | $61,000 - $309,000 | +30% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | New York | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 187.2 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $40 - $120 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.45 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 8.875% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $16.00/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $200 | $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