Plant Nursery Startup Cost Comparison
Chicago, IL vs Houston, TX
Chicago, IL
$37,000 - $207,000
COL Index: 107.8
VS
Houston, TX
$28,000 - $170,000
COL Index: 96.5
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Chicago, IL | Houston, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$5,600 - $10,900 | $1,900 - $6,200 | +104% |
|
Land Lease or Property
|
$9,800 - $78,300 | $6,800 - $54,800 | +43% |
|
Initial Plant Inventory
|
$5,000 - $35,000 | $5,000 - $35,000 | Same |
|
Shade Houses, Hoop Houses & Retail Building
|
$5,800 - $34,500 | $4,600 - $27,600 | +25% |
|
Irrigation System
|
$2,000 - $12,000 | $2,000 - $12,000 | Same |
|
Equipment & Supplies
|
$2,000 - $10,000 | $2,000 - $10,000 | Same |
|
Marketing & Signage
|
$1,000 - $5,000 | $1,000 - $5,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$5,400 - $21,600 | $4,800 - $19,300 | +12% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $37,000 - $207,000 | $28,000 - $170,000 | +23% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Chicago | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 107.8 | 96.5 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $25 - $65 | $18 - $45 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.15 | 0.92 |
| Sales Tax | 10.25% | 8.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $15.80/hr | $7.25/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $150 | $300 |
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