Manufacturing Business Startup Cost Comparison
Chicago, IL vs San Francisco, CA
Chicago, IL
$75,000 - $1,229,000
COL Index: 107.8
VS
San Francisco, CA
$99,000 - $1,656,000
COL Index: 179.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Licensing & Compliance
|
$5,600 - $15,000 | $4,200 - $18,500 | -9% |
|
Manufacturing Space
|
$19,600 - $391,300 | $32,600 - $652,200 | -40% |
|
Manufacturing Equipment
|
$15,000 - $400,000 | $15,000 - $400,000 | Same |
|
Initial Raw Materials
|
$5,000 - $100,000 | $5,000 - $100,000 | Same |
|
Insurance & Compliance
|
$5,000 - $30,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | Same |
|
Production Staff & Training
|
$5,800 - $57,500 | $7,600 - $76,000 | -24% |
|
Sales & Distribution
|
$3,000 - $20,000 | $3,000 - $20,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3-6 Months)
|
$16,200 - $215,600 | $27,000 - $359,600 | -40% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $75,000 - $1,229,000 | $99,000 - $1,656,000 | -26% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Chicago | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 107.8 | 179.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $25 - $65 | $40 - $110 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.15 | 1.52 |
| Sales Tax | 10.25% | 8.625% |
| Minimum Wage | $15.80/hr | $18.67/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $150 | $70 |
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