Real Estate Agency Startup Cost Comparison
New York, NY vs San Francisco, CA
New York, NY
$50,000 - $214,000
COL Index: 187.2
VS
San Francisco, CA
$48,000 - $210,000
COL Index: 179.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$5,300 - $17,100 | $4,200 - $18,500 | -1% |
|
Broker License & Education
|
$2,000 - $6,000 | $2,000 - $6,000 | Same |
|
Office Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$15,700 - $78,300 | $14,700 - $73,400 | +7% |
|
Office Build-Out & Furnishing
|
$4,400 - $21,800 | $4,600 - $22,800 | -4% |
|
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 | $14,400 - $53,900 | +4% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $50,000 - $214,000 | $48,000 - $210,000 | +2% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | New York | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 187.2 | 179.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $40 - $120 | $40 - $110 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.45 | 1.52 |
| Sales Tax | 8.875% | 8.625% |
| Minimum Wage | $16.00/hr | $18.67/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $200 | $70 |
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