Plant Nursery Startup Cost Comparison
Denver, CO vs Chicago, IL
Denver, CO
$32,000 - $197,000
COL Index: 118.5
VS
Chicago, IL
$37,000 - $207,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Denver, CO | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$2,100 - $9,200 | $5,600 - $10,900 | -32% |
|
Land Lease or Property
|
$8,400 - $67,000 | $9,800 - $78,300 | -14% |
|
Initial Plant Inventory
|
$5,000 - $35,000 | $5,000 - $35,000 | Same |
|
Shade Houses, Hoop Houses & Retail Building
|
$5,900 - $35,400 | $5,800 - $34,500 | +2% |
|
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)
|
$5,900 - $23,700 | $5,400 - $21,600 | +10% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $32,000 - $197,000 | $37,000 - $207,000 | -6% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Denver | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 118.5 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $22 - $55 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.18 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 8.81% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $18.29/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $50 | $150 |
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