Restaurant / Food Truck Startup Costs: Denver, CO vs Milwaukee, WI (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of one-time expenses, monthly costs, and first-year budget adjusted for local cost of living.
Opening a restaurant / food truck in Milwaukee saves approximately $53,238 (17.0%) compared to Denver in 2026, with first-year costs of $260,586 vs $313,824.
First-Year Savings
Milwaukee saves $53,238 (17.0%) for a Restaurant / Food Truck
$313,824 in Denver vs $260,586 in Milwaukee
Denver, CO
$313,824
First-year total (mid)
COL index: 112.0
Milwaukee, WI
$260,586
First-year total (mid)
COL index: 93.0
First-Year Budget Comparison
Mid-range estimates for restaurant / food truck startup
| Category | Denver | Milwaukee | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-Time Costs | $104,160 | $86,490 | +$17,670 |
| Monthly Costs x 12 | $209,664 | $174,096 | +$35,568 |
| Total First Year | $313,824 | $260,586 | +$53,238 |
One-Time Startup Costs
Upfront investment comparison (mid estimates)
| Expense | Denver | Milwaukee | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment | $56,000 | $46,500 | +$9,500 |
| Initial Inventory | $8,960 | $7,440 | +$1,520 |
| Licenses & Permits | $3,360 | $2,790 | +$570 |
| POS System | $2,240 | $1,860 | +$380 |
| Renovations | $33,600 | $27,900 | +$5,700 |
| Total One-Time | $104,160 | $86,490 | +$17,670 |
Monthly Operating Costs
Recurring expense comparison (mid estimates)
| Expense | Denver/mo | Milwaukee/mo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food Costs | $11,200 | $9,300 | +$1,900 |
| Insurance | $672 | $558 | +$114 |
| Rent | $4,480 | $3,720 | +$760 |
| Utilities | $1,120 | $930 | +$190 |
| Total Monthly | $17,472 | $14,508 | +$2,964 |
City Business Profiles
Denver, CO
Denver's COL index of 112 reflects its transformation from a regional hub to a national tech and outdoor lifestyle destination, with significant wage and rent appreciation since 2015.
aerospace & defense, cannabis industry, technology
Colorado's FAMLI paid family leave program (launched 2024) adds to employer overhead; Denver businesses compete with Boulder and Fort Collins for the same workforce.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee has a COL index of 93 with Wisconsin's moderate employer taxes, offering Midwest affordability with proximity to Chicago's professional labor market.
manufacturing (Harley-Davidson, Rockwell Automation), healthcare, financial services
Milwaukee's water technology cluster is a growing economic niche; the city is home to over 140 water-related companies and brands itself as the 'Silicon Valley of Water.'
What This Means for Your Restaurant / Food Truck
Denver has a cost of living index of 112.0 while Milwaukee sits at 93.0 (national average = 100). This means every expense — rent, equipment, supplies, insurance — costs proportionally more in the higher-indexed city.
Over the first year, opening a restaurant / food truck in Milwaukee saves an estimated $53,238 (17.0%) compared to Denver. The monthly operating cost difference alone accounts for $35,568 of that gap over 12 months.
These estimates use national average startup costs for a restaurant / food truck, adjusted by each city's cost of living factor. Actual costs vary based on your specific location, size of operation, and current market conditions. Use the interactive Startup Cost Calculator to customize expenses for your situation.
Explore Each City
Compare Other Business Types: Denver vs Milwaukee
Tools to Launch Your Business in Denver and Milwaukee
Track expenses, manage finances, and stay on budget from day one.
Track startup expenses, manage cash flow, and see where every dollar goes.
Simple invoicing and expense tracking built for small business owners.
Bookkeeping service so you can focus on building your business, not spreadsheets.
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