Meal Prep Business Startup Cost Comparison
St. Paul, MN vs Chicago, IL
St. Paul, MN
$17,000 - $83,000
COL Index: 104.5
VS
Chicago, IL
$24,000 - $102,000
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 Kitchen Access
|
$3,100 - $15,700 | $5,900 - $29,300 | -47% |
|
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)
|
$4,200 - $18,800 | $4,300 - $19,400 | -3% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $17,000 - $83,000 | $24,000 - $102,000 | -21% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | St. Paul | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 104.5 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/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 |
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