Pet Store Startup Cost Comparison
Salt Lake City, UT vs Chicago, IL
Salt Lake City, UT
$54,000 - $278,000
COL Index: 107.5
VS
Chicago, IL
$64,000 - $325,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Salt Lake City, UT | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$1,400 - $6,100 | $5,600 - $10,900 | -55% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$7,300 - $54,800 | $11,700 - $88,000 | -38% |
|
Initial Inventory
|
$15,000 - $60,000 | $15,000 - $60,000 | Same |
|
Store Build-Out & Fixtures
|
$10,200 - $66,300 | $11,500 - $74,800 | -11% |
|
Specialized Equipment
|
$5,000 - $30,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | Same |
|
Business Insurance (Annual)
|
$2,000 - $8,000 | $2,000 - $8,000 | Same |
|
Marketing & Grand Opening
|
$2,000 - $10,000 | $2,000 - $10,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$10,800 - $43,000 | $10,800 - $43,100 | Same |
| Total Estimated Cost | $54,000 - $278,000 | $64,000 - $325,000 | -15% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Salt Lake City | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 107.5 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $16 - $40 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.02 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 7.75% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $7.25/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $54 | $150 |
View Full Details
Ready to Start Your Pet Store?
Start your Pet Store LLC in — free registered agent for 1 year.
Form Your LLC for $0 + State Fee →Trusted by 500,000+ businesses · Excellent rating on Trustpilot