Meal Prep Business Startup Cost Comparison
Newark, NJ vs Chicago, IL
Newark, NJ
$27,000 - $132,000
COL Index: 115.2
VS
Chicago, IL
$24,000 - $102,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Newark, NJ | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$10,600 - $51,700 | $5,600 - $10,900 | +278% |
|
Commercial Kitchen Access
|
$3,500 - $17,600 | $5,900 - $29,300 | -40% |
|
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)
|
$4,600 - $20,700 | $4,300 - $19,400 | +7% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $27,000 - $132,000 | $24,000 - $102,000 | +26% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Newark | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 115.2 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $16 - $38 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.14 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 6.625% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $15.49/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $125 | $150 |
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