Plant Nursery Startup Cost Comparison
Chicago, IL vs San Francisco, CA
Chicago, IL
$37,000 - $207,000
COL Index: 107.8
VS
San Francisco, CA
$47,000 - $293,000
COL Index: 179.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$5,600 - $10,900 | $4,200 - $18,500 | -27% |
|
Land Lease or Property
|
$9,800 - $78,300 | $16,300 - $130,400 | -40% |
|
Initial Plant Inventory
|
$5,000 - $35,000 | $5,000 - $35,000 | Same |
|
Shade Houses, Hoop Houses & Retail Building
|
$5,800 - $34,500 | $7,600 - $45,600 | -24% |
|
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 | $9,000 - $36,000 | -40% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $37,000 - $207,000 | $47,000 - $293,000 | -28% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Chicago | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 107.8 | 179.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $25 - $65 | $40 - $110 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.15 | 1.52 |
| Sales Tax | 10.25% | 8.625% |
| Minimum Wage | $15.80/hr | $18.67/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $150 | $70 |
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