Meal Prep Business Startup Cost Comparison
Arlington, TX vs Chicago, IL
Arlington, TX
$16,000 - $79,000
COL Index: 93.5
VS
Chicago, IL
$24,000 - $102,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Arlington, TX | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$1,900 - $6,100 | $5,600 - $10,900 | -52% |
|
Commercial Kitchen Access
|
$2,900 - $14,300 | $5,900 - $29,300 | -51% |
|
Kitchen Equipment & Supplies
|
$3,000 - $20,000 | $3,000 - $20,000 | Same |
|
Initial Food Inventory
|
$1,000 - $5,000 | $1,000 - $5,000 | Same |
|
Packaging & Labeling
|
$800 - $4,000 | $800 - $4,000 | Same |
|
Business Insurance (Annual)
|
$1,500 - $5,000 | $1,500 - $5,000 | Same |
|
Marketing & Customer Acquisition
|
$1,500 - $8,000 | $1,500 - $8,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$3,700 - $16,800 | $4,300 - $19,400 | -14% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $16,000 - $79,000 | $24,000 - $102,000 | -25% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Arlington | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 93.5 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $14 - $30 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 0.92 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 8.25% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $7.25/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $300 | $150 |
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