Plant Nursery Startup Cost Comparison
San Jose, CA vs Chicago, IL
San Jose, CA
$45,000 - $277,000
COL Index: 185.5
VS
Chicago, IL
$37,000 - $207,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | San Jose, CA | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$4,100 - $18,100 | $5,600 - $10,900 | +35% |
|
Land Lease or Property
|
$14,100 - $113,000 | $9,800 - $78,300 | +44% |
|
Initial Plant Inventory
|
$5,000 - $35,000 | $5,000 - $35,000 | Same |
|
Shade Houses, Hoop Houses & Retail Building
|
$7,800 - $46,500 | $5,800 - $34,500 | +35% |
|
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)
|
$9,300 - $37,100 | $5,400 - $21,600 | +72% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $45,000 - $277,000 | $37,000 - $207,000 | +32% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | San Jose | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 185.5 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $35 - $95 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.55 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 9.375% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $17.55/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $70 | $150 |
View Full Details
Ready to Start Your Plant Nursery?
Start your Plant Nursery LLC in — free registered agent for 1 year.
Form Your LLC for $0 + State Fee →Trusted by 500,000+ businesses · Excellent rating on Trustpilot