Restaurant Startup Cost Comparison
San Francisco, CA vs Chicago, IL
San Francisco, CA
$126,000 - $512,000
COL Index: 179.8
VS
Chicago, IL
$97,000 - $380,000
COL Index: 107.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | San Francisco, CA | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
|
$4,200 - $18,500 | $5,600 - $10,900 | +38% |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
|
$29,300 - $146,700 | $17,600 - $88,000 | +67% |
|
Kitchen Equipment & Fixtures
|
$25,000 - $100,000 | $25,000 - $100,000 | Same |
|
Initial Food & Beverage Inventory
|
$5,000 - $15,000 | $5,000 - $15,000 | Same |
|
Interior Build-Out & Renovation
|
$30,400 - $121,600 | $23,000 - $92,000 | +32% |
|
Business Insurance (Annual)
|
$3,000 - $10,000 | $3,000 - $10,000 | Same |
|
Marketing & Grand Opening
|
$2,000 - $10,000 | $2,000 - $10,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$27,000 - $89,900 | $16,200 - $53,900 | +67% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $126,000 - $512,000 | $97,000 - $380,000 | +34% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | San Francisco | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 179.8 | 107.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $40 - $110 | $25 - $65 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.52 | 1.15 |
| Sales Tax | 8.625% | 10.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $18.67/hr | $15.80/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $70 | $150 |
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