Pharmacy Startup Cost Comparison
Irvine, CA vs Chicago, IL
Irvine, CA
$364,000 - $1,873,000
COL Index: 178.5
VS
Chicago, IL
$323,000 - $1,710,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Irvine, CA | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Licensing & DEA Registration
|
$5,000 - $20,000 | $5,600 - $20,000 | -2% |
|
Retail Space & Build-Out
|
$97,800 - $587,000 | $97,800 - $587,000 | Same |
|
Initial Inventory
|
$100,000 - $600,000 | $100,000 - $600,000 | Same |
|
Pharmacy Equipment & Technology
|
$30,000 - $150,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | Same |
|
Insurance & Bonding
|
$8,000 - $25,000 | $8,000 - $25,000 | Same |
|
Initial Staffing & Training
|
$28,400 - $113,600 | $23,000 - $92,000 | +23% |
|
Marketing & Launch
|
$5,000 - $20,000 | $5,000 - $20,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$89,300 - $357,000 | $53,900 - $215,600 | +66% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $364,000 - $1,873,000 | $323,000 - $1,710,000 | +10% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Irvine | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 178.5 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $30 - $60 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.42 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 7.75% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $16.00/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $70 | $150 |
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