Real Estate Agency Startup Cost Comparison
New York, NY vs Chicago, IL
New York, NY
$50,000 - $214,000
COL Index: 187.2
VS
Chicago, IL
$37,000 - $146,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | New York, NY | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$5,300 - $17,100 | $5,600 - $10,900 | +36% |
|
Broker License & Education
|
$2,000 - $6,000 | $2,000 - $6,000 | Same |
|
Office Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$15,700 - $78,300 | $8,800 - $44,000 | +78% |
|
Office Build-Out & Furnishing
|
$4,400 - $21,800 | $3,500 - $17,300 | +26% |
|
Technology & MLS Access
|
$3,000 - $12,000 | $3,000 - $12,000 | Same |
|
Insurance (Annual)
|
$2,000 - $8,000 | $2,000 - $8,000 | Same |
|
Marketing & Brand Building
|
$3,000 - $15,000 | $3,000 - $15,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3-6 Months)
|
$15,000 - $56,200 | $8,600 - $32,300 | +74% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $50,000 - $214,000 | $37,000 - $146,000 | +44% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | New York | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 187.2 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $40 - $120 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.45 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 8.875% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $16.00/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $200 | $150 |
View Full Details
Ready to Start Your Real Estate Agency?
Start your Real Estate Agency LLC in — free registered agent for 1 year.
Form Your LLC for $0 + State Fee →Trusted by 500,000+ businesses · Excellent rating on Trustpilot