Ice Cream Shop Startup Cost Comparison
St. Paul, MN vs Chicago, IL
St. Paul, MN
$51,000 - $268,000
COL Index: 104.5
VS
Chicago, IL
$61,000 - $309,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | St. Paul, MN | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$1,400 - $6,100 | $5,600 - $10,900 | -55% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$5,200 - $28,200 | $9,800 - $52,800 | -47% |
|
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
|
$10,200 - $81,600 | $11,500 - $92,000 | -11% |
|
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)
|
$8,400 - $31,400 | $8,600 - $32,300 | -3% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $51,000 - $268,000 | $61,000 - $309,000 | -14% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | St. Paul | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 104.5 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $14 - $34 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.02 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 8.375% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $15.57/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $155 | $150 |
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