Ice Cream Shop Startup Cost Comparison
Philadelphia, PA vs Chicago, IL
Philadelphia, PA
$58,000 - $316,000
COL Index: 114.5
VS
Chicago, IL
$61,000 - $309,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Philadelphia, PA | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$3,600 - $26,600 | $5,600 - $10,900 | +83% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$8,200 - $44,000 | $9,800 - $52,800 | -17% |
|
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
|
$11,200 - $89,600 | $11,500 - $92,000 | -3% |
|
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)
|
$9,200 - $34,400 | $8,600 - $32,300 | +7% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $58,000 - $316,000 | $61,000 - $309,000 | +1% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Philadelphia | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 114.5 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $20 - $55 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.12 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 8% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $7.25/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $125 | $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