Massachusetts vs North Carolina LLC: Which Costs Less?
North Carolina is cheaper by about $1,575 in state costs over five years ($925 vs $2,500). Below is the full state-fee comparison, plus what the numbers leave out.
| Massachusetts | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Formation fee | $500 | $125 |
| Recurring state filing / report fee per year | $500 | $200 |
| State tax / mandatory annual charge per year | $0 | $0 |
| Year-one cost | $500 | $125 |
| Filing cadence | Annual (anniversary of formation) | Annual |
| Estimated 5-year state costs | $2,500 | $925 |
| Rank of 51 (1 = cheapest) | 50 | 43 |
| Data status | Checked against official state sources (October 2026) | Checked against official state sources (October 2026) |
What this comparison does not include
- Where you live and work decides more than the fee. If you operate in Massachusetts but form in North Carolina, you generally must also register as a foreign LLC where you operate, and pay both states.
- Registered agent fees, formation-service fees, publication costs (such as New York's), local licenses and income-based state taxes (income, gross-receipts, B&O, sales) are not counted. Mandatory annual state taxes that apply to a small single-member LLC are counted.
- Legal and tax advantages claimed for some states depend on your situation. A CPA or attorney can tell you whether they apply to you.
Want someone else to handle the filing?
A formation service files the paperwork for a fee on top of the state fee and often includes a first year of registered agent service. It saves time, but you can file directly with the state for the state fee alone. Compare DIY and services.
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Details: Massachusetts LLC costs · North Carolina LLC costs · calculator · forming in another state
Fee data: official state government pages and statutes (checked October 28–29, 2026); sources are linked on each state page. See our methodology. Not legal or tax advice.