Ice Cream Shop Startup Cost Comparison
Rochester, MN vs Chicago, IL
Rochester, MN
$49,000 - $261,000
COL Index: 101.5
VS
Chicago, IL
$61,000 - $309,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Rochester, MN | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$800 - $4,000 | $5,600 - $10,900 | -71% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$4,800 - $25,800 | $9,800 - $52,800 | -51% |
|
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
|
$10,000 - $80,000 | $11,500 - $92,000 | -13% |
|
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)
|
$8,100 - $30,500 | $8,600 - $32,300 | -6% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $49,000 - $261,000 | $61,000 - $309,000 | -16% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Rochester | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 101.5 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $14 - $30 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 7.375% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $10.85/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $155 | $150 |
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