Plant Nursery Startup Cost Comparison
Milwaukee, WI vs Chicago, IL
Milwaukee, WI
$25,000 - $153,000
COL Index: 95.8
VS
Chicago, IL
$37,000 - $207,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Milwaukee, WI | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$900 - $4,000 | $5,600 - $10,900 | -70% |
|
Land Lease or Property
|
$5,000 - $40,000 | $9,800 - $78,300 | -49% |
|
Initial Plant Inventory
|
$5,000 - $35,000 | $5,000 - $35,000 | Same |
|
Shade Houses, Hoop Houses & Retail Building
|
$4,600 - $27,600 | $5,800 - $34,500 | -20% |
|
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)
|
$4,800 - $19,200 | $5,400 - $21,600 | -11% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $25,000 - $153,000 | $37,000 - $207,000 | -27% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Milwaukee | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 95.8 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $14 - $32 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 0.92 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 5.5% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $7.25/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $130 | $150 |
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