LegalCostCalculator
Updated May 2026 Side-by-Side

Illinois vs Texas: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)

Full side-by-side breakdown of legal fees in Illinois and Texas — LLC formation, divorce filing, small claims limits, and notary fees.

Illinois
Cheaper LLC
Illinois
Cheaper Divorce
Texas
Higher SC Limit

LLC Formation Costs: Illinois vs Texas

Illinois
Texas

Filing Fee

$150 WIN
$300

✓ Illinois is cheaper here

Annual Report

$75
$0 WIN

✓ Texas is cheaper here

Publication Cost

$0
$0

It's a tie

Franchise Tax

$0
$0

It's a tie

Est. Year-1 Total

$150 WIN
$300

✓ Illinois is cheaper here

Illinois: Illinois processing time can be slow — up to 10 business days for standard filing.

Texas: Texas has no annual report fee, but foreign qualification costs $750. The $300 formation fee is offset by zero ongoing costs for most small LLCs.

Illinois: Chicago access — major market for B2B and professional services.

Texas: No state income tax, no annual report fee, massive economy — one of the best states for small businesses.

Editor's pick

Ready to Form Your LLC?

Let a trusted formation service handle the paperwork for your chosen state — starting at $39 + state fees.

Start My LLC Today →

Small Claims Court: Illinois vs Texas

Illinois
Texas

Max Claim Limit

$10,000
$20,000 WIN

✓ Texas is cheaper here

Min Filing Fee

$56
$54 WIN

✓ Texas is cheaper here

Contract SOL

5 yrs WIN
4 yrs

✓ Illinois is cheaper here

Divorce Filing Costs: Illinois vs Texas

Illinois
Texas

Filing Fee

$289 WIN
$300

✓ Illinois is cheaper here

Sheriff Service

$60 WIN
$75

✓ Illinois is cheaper here

Children Surcharge

$0 WIN
$20

✓ Illinois is cheaper here

Notary Fees: Illinois vs Texas

Illinois
Texas

Acknowledgment

$5
$10

Jurat

$5
$10

RON Fee

$25
$25
All Legal Costs in Illinois →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary
All Legal Costs in Texas →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Illinois or Texas cheaper to form an LLC?
Illinois is cheaper to form an LLC — $150 vs $300. However, consider the full first-year cost including annual report fees: Illinois year-1 total is $150 vs Texas at $300.
What is the LLC filing fee in Illinois vs Texas?
The LLC filing fee is $150 in Illinois vs $300 in Texas. In addition to the one-time filing fee, Illinois charges a $75 annual report fee and Texas has no annual report fee.
Which state is better for a small business — Illinois or Texas?
For most small businesses operating in one state, form your LLC in the state where you actually do business. If you operate in Illinois, form there — registering in Texas and then foreign-qualifying in Illinois means paying fees to both states. The "form in a cheaper state" strategy mainly benefits online businesses with no physical location.
How do divorce filing fees compare between Illinois and Texas?
Illinois has lower divorce filing fees — $289 vs $300. Both states also charge for service of process ($60 in Illinois, $75 in Texas). You can only file divorce in a state where you or your spouse meets the residency requirement.
What is the small claims limit in Illinois vs Texas?
The small claims limit is $10,000 in Illinois vs $20,000 in Texas. Texas allows you to sue for more money without going to regular civil court. Filing fees are $56 in Illinois and $54 in Texas.