Nail Salon Startup Cost Comparison

St. Louis, MO vs Chicago, IL

St. Louis, MO

$31,000 - $126,000

COL Index: 90.8

VS

Chicago, IL

$43,000 - $165,000

COL Index: 107.8

Detailed Cost Comparison

Expense St. Louis, MO Chicago, IL Difference
Business Registration & Cosmetology License
$800 - $4,000 $5,600 - $10,900 -71%
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
$3,100 - $15,700 $7,000 - $35,200 -55%
Nail Stations & Equipment
$8,000 - $35,000 $8,000 - $35,000 Same
Initial Products & Supplies
$2,000 - $6,000 $2,000 - $6,000 Same
Interior Build-Out & Renovation
$7,200 - $31,500 $9,200 - $40,300 -22%
Business Insurance (Annual)
$1,500 - $5,000 $1,500 - $5,000 Same
Marketing & Grand Opening
$1,500 - $6,000 $1,500 - $6,000 Same
Working Capital (3 Months)
$7,300 - $22,700 $8,600 - $27,000 -16%
Total Estimated Cost $31,000 - $126,000 $43,000 - $165,000 -25%

Local Market Factors

Factor St. Louis Chicago
Cost of Living Index 90.8 107.8
Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) $12 - $28 $25 - $65
Labor Rate Index 0.9 1.15
Sales Tax 9.679% 10.25%
Minimum Wage $12.30/hr $15.80/hr
LLC Filing Fee $50 $150

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