The cheapest state to form an LLC
Counting state fees only, Montana is cheapest over five years: $35 to file, then none. For the filing fee alone, Montana is lowest at $35.
Cheap only helps if you can use it. If your business operates in your home state, you'll register there as a foreign LLC as well, and pay that state's fees on top. See best state to form an LLC.
Ranked by five-year state fees
| # | State | 5-year state fees | Formation | Recurring | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montana | $35 | $35 | None | Official |
| 2 | Arizona · publication required | $50 | $50 | None | Official |
| 3 | Mississippi | $50 | $50 | None | Official |
| 4 | Missouri | $50 | $50 | None | Official |
| 5 | Ohio | $99 | $99 | None | Official |
| 6 | Idaho | $100 | $100 | None | Official |
| 7 | South Carolina | $110 | $110 | None | Official |
| 8 | Hawaii | $113.50 | $51 | $12.50 a year | Official |
| 9 | Iowa | $125 | $50 | $30 every 2 years | Official |
| 10 | Utah | $149 | $59 | $18 a year | Official |
| 11 | Minnesota | $155 | $155 | None | Official |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $160 | $125 | $7 a year | Official |
| 13 | Nebraska · publication required | $162.50 | $100 | $25 every 2 years | Official |
| 14 | Colorado | $175 | $50 | $25 a year | Official |
| 15 | Michigan | $175 | $50 | $25 a year | Official |
| 16 | New York · publication required | $222.50 | $200 | $9 every 2 years | Official |
| 17 | Kansas | $310 | $85 | $90 every 2 years | Official |
| 18 | Virginia | $350 | $100 | $50 a year | Official |
| 19 | Vermont | $380 | $155 | $45 a year | Official |
| 20 | North Dakota | $385 | $135 | $50 a year | Official |
| 21 | Wyoming | $402.40 | $102.40 | $60 a year | Official |
| 22 | Georgia | $410 | $110 | $60 a year | Official |
| 23 | South Dakota | $425 | $150 | $55 a year | Official |
| 24 | New Jersey | $475 | $100 | $75 a year | Official |
| 25 | Alaska | $500 | $250 | $100 every 2 years | Official |
| 26 | Connecticut | $520 | $120 | $80 a year | Official |
| 27 | Oregon | $600 | $100 | $100 a year | Official |
| 28 | Maine | $600 | $175 | $85 a year | Official |
| 29 | Arkansas | $795 | $45 | $150 a year | Official |
| 30 | Florida | $818.75 | $125 | $138.75 a year | Official |
| 31 | District of Columbia | $849 | $99 | $300 every 2 years | Official |
| 32 | Kentucky | $990 | $40 | $190 a year | Official |
| 33 | Delaware | $2,110 | $110 | $400 a year | Official |
| 34 | Nevada | $2,175 | $425 | $350 a year | Official |
| 35 | Massachusetts | $3,120 | $520 | $520 a year | Official |
| 36 | California | $4,120 | $70 | $810 a year | Official |
36 states and DC with fees verified on official sources on 2026-11-02. Excludes registered agent, publication and local license costs.