Ice Cream Shop Startup Cost Comparison
St. Louis, MO vs Los Angeles, CA
St. Louis, MO
$47,000 - $248,000
COL Index: 90.8
VS
Los Angeles, CA
$69,000 - $361,000
COL Index: 166.5
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | St. Louis, MO | Los Angeles, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$800 - $4,000 | $4,000 - $14,400 | -74% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$4,300 - $23,500 | $12,500 - $67,500 | -65% |
|
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
|
$9,000 - $72,000 | $13,500 - $108,000 | -33% |
|
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 - $27,200 | $13,300 - $50,000 | -45% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $47,000 - $248,000 | $69,000 - $361,000 | -31% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | St. Louis | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 90.8 | 166.5 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $12 - $28 | $30 - $85 |
| Labor Rate Index | 0.9 | 1.35 |
| Sales Tax | 9.679% | 9.5% |
| Minimum Wage | $12.30/hr | $16.78/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $50 | $70 |
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