LegalCostCalculator
Updated May 2026 Side-by-Side

New York vs Ohio: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)

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

Ohio
Cheaper LLC
Ohio
Cheaper Divorce
New York
Higher SC Limit

LLC Formation Costs: New York vs Ohio

New York
Ohio

Filing Fee

$200
$99 WIN

✓ Ohio is cheaper here

Annual Report

$9
$0 WIN

✓ Ohio is cheaper here

Publication Cost

$200
$0 WIN

✓ Ohio is cheaper here

Franchise Tax

$25
$0 WIN

✓ Ohio is cheaper here

Est. Year-1 Total

$425
$99 WIN

✓ Ohio is cheaper here

New York: New York's publication requirement forces new LLCs to publish in two newspapers for 6 weeks — costing $1,000–$2,000 in NYC, or $40–$150 upstate.

Ohio: Ohio has a Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) for businesses with over $150,000 in annual gross receipts.

New York: NYC access — unmatched for finance, media, fashion, and tech businesses.

Ohio: No annual report — free to maintain after the $99 formation fee.

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Small Claims Court: New York vs Ohio

New York
Ohio

Max Claim Limit

$10,000 WIN
$6,000

✓ New York is cheaper here

Min Filing Fee

$15 WIN
$35

✓ New York is cheaper here

Contract SOL

6 yrs
6 yrs

It's a tie

Divorce Filing Costs: New York vs Ohio

New York
Ohio

Filing Fee

$335
$250 WIN

✓ Ohio is cheaper here

Sheriff Service

$60
$45 WIN

✓ Ohio is cheaper here

Children Surcharge

$0 WIN
$25

✓ New York is cheaper here

Notary Fees: New York vs Ohio

New York
Ohio

Acknowledgment

$2
$5

Jurat

$2
$5

RON Fee

$25
$25
All Legal Costs in New York →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary
All Legal Costs in Ohio →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary

Frequently Asked Questions

Is New York or Ohio cheaper to form an LLC?
Ohio is cheaper to form an LLC — $99 vs $200. However, consider the full first-year cost including annual report fees and publication requirements: New York year-1 total is $425 vs Ohio at $99.
What is the LLC filing fee in New York vs Ohio?
The LLC filing fee is $200 in New York vs $99 in Ohio. In addition to the one-time filing fee, New York charges a $9 annual report fee and Ohio has no annual report fee.
Which state is better for a small business — New York or Ohio?
For most small businesses operating in one state, form your LLC in the state where you actually do business. If you operate in New York, form there — registering in Ohio and then foreign-qualifying in New York 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 New York and Ohio?
Ohio has lower divorce filing fees — $250 vs $335. Both states also charge for service of process ($60 in New York, $45 in Ohio). You can only file divorce in a state where you or your spouse meets the residency requirement.
What is the small claims limit in New York vs Ohio?
The small claims limit is $10,000 in New York vs $6,000 in Ohio. New York allows you to sue for more money without going to regular civil court. Filing fees are $15 in New York and $35 in Ohio.