LegalCostCalculator
Updated May 2026 Side-by-Side

New York vs Texas: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)

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

New York
Cheaper LLC
Texas
Cheaper Divorce
Texas
Higher SC Limit

LLC Formation Costs: New York vs Texas

New York
Texas

Filing Fee

$200 WIN
$300

✓ New York is cheaper here

Annual Report

$9
$0 WIN

✓ Texas is cheaper here

Publication Cost

$200
$0 WIN

✓ Texas is cheaper here

Franchise Tax

$25
$0 WIN

✓ Texas is cheaper here

Est. Year-1 Total

$425
$300 WIN

✓ Texas 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.

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.

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

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

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Small Claims Court: New York vs Texas

New York
Texas

Max Claim Limit

$10,000
$20,000 WIN

✓ Texas is cheaper here

Min Filing Fee

$15 WIN
$54

✓ New York is cheaper here

Contract SOL

6 yrs WIN
4 yrs

✓ New York is cheaper here

Divorce Filing Costs: New York vs Texas

New York
Texas

Filing Fee

$335
$300 WIN

✓ Texas is cheaper here

Sheriff Service

$60 WIN
$75

✓ New York is cheaper here

Children Surcharge

$0 WIN
$20

✓ New York is cheaper here

Notary Fees: New York vs Texas

New York
Texas

Acknowledgment

$2
$10

Jurat

$2
$10

RON Fee

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is New York or Texas cheaper to form an LLC?
New York is cheaper to form an LLC — $200 vs $300. However, consider the full first-year cost including annual report fees and publication requirements: New York year-1 total is $425 vs Texas at $300.
What is the LLC filing fee in New York vs Texas?
The LLC filing fee is $200 in New York vs $300 in Texas. In addition to the one-time filing fee, New York charges a $9 annual report fee and Texas has no annual report fee.
Which state is better for a small business — New York 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 New York, form there — registering in Texas 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 Texas?
Texas has lower divorce filing fees — $300 vs $335. Both states also charge for service of process ($60 in New York, $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 New York vs Texas?
The small claims limit is $10,000 in New York vs $20,000 in Texas. Texas allows you to sue for more money without going to regular civil court. Filing fees are $15 in New York and $54 in Texas.