Meal Prep Business Startup Cost Comparison
San Diego, CA vs Chicago, IL
San Diego, CA
$25,000 - $122,000
COL Index: 160.2
VS
Chicago, IL
$24,000 - $102,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | San Diego, CA | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$4,000 - $17,700 | $5,600 - $10,900 | +32% |
|
Commercial Kitchen Access
|
$6,700 - $33,600 | $5,900 - $29,300 | +14% |
|
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)
|
$6,400 - $28,800 | $4,300 - $19,400 | +49% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $25,000 - $122,000 | $24,000 - $102,000 | +17% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | San Diego | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 160.2 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $28 - $75 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.3 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 7.75% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $16.85/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $70 | $150 |
View Full Details
Ready to Start Your Meal Prep Business?
Start your Meal Prep Business LLC in — free registered agent for 1 year.
Form Your LLC for $0 + State Fee →Trusted by 500,000+ businesses · Excellent rating on Trustpilot