Most expensive states to form an LLC
California tops the list at $4,110 in state fees over five years.
| # | State | Formation | Year one | Annual (incl. state tax) | 5-yr state costs | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $70 | $870 | $810 | $4,110 | Checked against official state sources (October 2026) |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $500 | $500 | $500 | $2,500 | Checked against official state sources (October 2026) |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $150 | $550 | $450 | $2,350 | Checked against official state sources (October 2026) |
| 4 | Delaware | $110 | $510 | $400 | $2,110 | Checked against official state sources (October 2026) |
| 5 | Tennessee | $300 | $400 | $400 | $2,000 | Checked against official state sources (October 2026) |
| 6 | Nevada | $425 | $425 | $350 | $1,825 | Checked against official state sources (October 2026) |
| 7 | Maryland | $100 | $100 | $300 | $1,300 | Checked against official state sources (October 2026) |
| 8 | Kentucky | $40 | $215 | $190 | $975 | Checked against official state sources (October 2026) |
| 9 | North Carolina | $125 | $125 | $200 | $925 | Checked against official state sources (October 2026) |
| 10 | District of Columbia | $99 | $99 | $150 | $699 | Checked against official state sources (October 2026) |
| 11 | Florida | $125 | $125 | $138.75 | $680 | Checked against official state sources (October 2026) |
| 12 | Arkansas | $45 | $45 | $150 | $645 | Checked against official state sources (October 2026) |
| 13 | Maine | $175 | $175 | $85 | $515 | Checked against official state sources (October 2026) |
| 14 | Oregon | $100 | $100 | $100 | $500 | Checked against official state sources (October 2026) |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $100 | $100 | $100 | $500 | Checked against official state sources (October 2026) |
Mandatory annual state taxes and high annual fees drive most of the gap, not the formation fee. A higher-cost state can still make sense if it is where you live and work.
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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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.