How much does it cost to start an LLC?

Starting an LLC costs $35 to $500 in state filing fees. What changes your price is below.

LLC filing fees run from $35 in Montana to $500 in Massachusetts, about $132 on average across the states. Most states also charge an annual or biennial report fee, and every LLC needs a registered agent. Most founders spend about $200 to $1,000 in their first year.

Estimate the cost to start an LLC

Pick what you need and add your ZIP. The price updates as you go. Got a price already? Check it in the last step.

1Which one do you need?

2Registered agent

3What is your ZIP?

ZIP code

Local prices not added yet.

4Got a price?

Quote amount

Optional. We check it.

Is this price fair?

A fair price is $200 to $1,000.

Type a price above to check it.

Low$600High

Your estimateUS average

$200to$1,000

Middle of the range: $600

$0$680$1,360

Normal range Middle

What you are paying for

Typical first yearUS range for this job.$200 to $1,000

You act as agentRegistered agent.Base price

US averageLocal prices not added yet.US price

Middle of rangeHalfway between low and high.$600

How we calculate this

Prices are for the United States in 2026 from published cost guides, checked September 2026. This is an estimate, not a quote.

Middle $600$200 to $1,000

Cost by state (filing fee, annual fee)

Montana	$35 filing, the lowest.
Kentucky	$40 filing.
Arizona	$50 filing, no annual report.
California	$70 filing, $800 yearly franchise tax.
Florida	$125 filing, $138.75 annual report.
Texas	$300 filing.
Massachusetts	$500 filing, about $500 annual report.
Nevada	About $425 all in to start, about $350 a year.
New York	$200 filing plus a publication rule that can pass $1,000.

Is your quote fair?

Type the price you were quoted. We compare it to the usual 2026 range of $35 to $500.

Your quote in dollars

What pushes a quote up

State	Filing and annual fees vary widely.
Annual fees	Some states charge $0, California $800.
Registered agent	Required in every state.
Publication	New York and a few others require it.
Formation service	Optional, and adds a fee.

The cheapest state is not always cheapest for you

You usually form the LLC in the state where you run the business. If you form in a low fee state but operate elsewhere, you may also have to register as a foreign LLC in your home state and pay both states' fees.

Look at the yearly cost, not just the filing fee. California's filing fee is only $70, but its $800 yearly franchise tax makes it one of the most expensive states to keep an LLC.

Always confirm current fees on your state's Secretary of State website before filing. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.

How to judge the quote in your hand

Check your state's filing fee on the official site.
Check the annual fee and due date.
Decide on a registered agent.
Check publication rules.
Ask about foreign registration if you form out of state.

Ways to pay less

File directly with the state.
Be your own registered agent if your state allows.
Form in your home state.
Skip add ons you do not need.

Next questionHow much do movers cost?Find out

The yearly fees people forget

The filing fee is a one time cost. Most states also charge every year or every two years to keep your LLC active.

California charges an $800 minimum franchise tax each year. Massachusetts charges $500 a year. Nevada charges about $350 a year for its annual list and business license.

Tennessee charges $50 per member a year, with a $300 minimum. Some states charge nothing, like Missouri and Ohio.

New York adds a newspaper publishing rule. It can cost $300 to $1,500 or more, depending on the county.

A worked example

Say you form in Montana, one of the cheapest states. You pay $35 to file and $20 a year. Three years costs about $75.

Now say you form in California. You pay $70 to file, then at least $800 a year. Three years costs about $2,470.

If you run your business in your home state, you usually have to register there too. So forming in a cheap state rarely saves money.