The State Selection Matrix: Choose Your Business's Perfect Home
Beyond filing fees - discover the true costs, hidden requirements, and strategic advantages of all 50 states. Make an informed decision with our comprehensive state-by-state analysis.
Compare States Side-by-Side
Select up to 3 states to compare filing fees, taxes, privacy protections, and more
| Feature | State 1 | State 2 | State 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Filing Fee | |||
| Annual Report Fee | |||
| Franchise Tax | |||
| Total First Year Cost | |||
| Processing Time | |||
| Privacy Protection | |||
| Business Climate | |||
| Best For Industries | |||
| Key Advantages | |||
| Considerations | |||
| Full Guide |
Northeast States
Connecticut
Insurance capital with NYC access
Filing Fee
$120
0 Annual Fee
$80
Processing 5-7 business days
Insurance Finance
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Maine
Exceptional quality of life
Filing Fee
$175
0 Annual Fee
$85
Processing 7-10 business days
Tourism Fishing
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Massachusetts
World-class education and biotech hub
Filing Fee
$500
0 Annual Fee
$500
Processing 5-7 business days
Biotech Education
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New Hampshire
No income or sales tax near Boston
Filing Fee
$100
0 Annual Fee
$100
Processing 5-7 business days
Manufacturing Tourism
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New Jersey
Strategic location between NYC and Philadelphia
Filing Fee
$125
0 Annual Fee
$75
Processing 5-10 business days
Pharmaceuticals Finance
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New York
Global business hub with unmatched networking
Filing Fee
$200
0 Annual Fee
$9
Processing 7-10 business days
Finance Media
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Pennsylvania
Strategic location between major East Coast cities
Filing Fee
$125
0 0 Processing 7-10 business days
Healthcare Education
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Rhode Island
Ocean access with Northeast location
Filing Fee
$150
0 Annual Fee
$50
Processing 3-5 business days
Healthcare Tourism
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Vermont
Progressive values with natural beauty
Filing Fee
$125
0 Annual Fee
$35
Processing 7-10 business days
Tourism Agriculture
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Southeast States
Alabama
Growing aerospace and auto manufacturing
Filing Fee
$183
0 0 Processing 5-10 business days
Aerospace Automotive
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Delaware
Gold standard for corporate law and investor confidence
Filing Fee
$90
Franchise Tax
$300/yr
Annual Fee
$300
Processing 5-10 business days
Corporations Venture-Backed Startups
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Florida
No income tax with year-round business climate
Filing Fee
$125
0 Annual Fee
$138.75
Processing 3-5 business days
Tourism Real Estate
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Georgia
Southeast hub with growing film and tech industries
Filing Fee
$100
0 Annual Fee
$50
Processing 7-10 business days
Film/Entertainment Logistics
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Kentucky
Logistics hub with very low costs
Filing Fee
$40
0 Annual Fee
$15
Processing 5-7 business days
Manufacturing Logistics
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Maryland
Federal contracting and biotech opportunities
Filing Fee
$100
0 Annual Fee
$300
Processing 7-10 business days
Biotech Defense
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Mississippi
Lowest operating costs in America
Filing Fee
$50
0 0 Processing 5-7 business days
Agriculture Manufacturing
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North Carolina
Fast-growing state with Research Triangle innovation
Filing Fee
$125
0 Annual Fee
$200
Processing 7-10 business days
Banking Biotech
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South Carolina
Growing Southeast economy with port access
Filing Fee
$110
0 0 Processing 5-10 business days
Manufacturing Tourism
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Tennessee
No income tax with low operating costs
Filing Fee
$300
Franchise Tax
$300/yr
Annual Fee
$300
Processing 5-7 business days
Music/Entertainment Healthcare
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Virginia
Government contracting capital of America
Filing Fee
$100
0 Annual Fee
$50
Processing 7-10 business days
Government Contracting Tech
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West Virginia
Very low costs with natural beauty
Filing Fee
$100
0 Annual Fee
$25
Processing 5-7 business days
Energy Chemicals
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Midwest States
Illinois
Strategic midwest location with diverse economy
Filing Fee
$150
0 Annual Fee
$75
Processing 5-10 business days
Manufacturing Agriculture
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Indiana
Very affordable with central US location
Filing Fee
$95
0 Annual Fee
$30
Processing 7-10 business days
Manufacturing Agriculture
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Iowa
Stable agricultural economy with low costs
Filing Fee
$50
0 Annual Fee
$45
Processing 5-10 business days
Agriculture Insurance
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Kansas
Affordable central location with aviation expertise
Filing Fee
$165
0 Annual Fee
$55
Processing 5-7 business days
Agriculture Aviation
View Details
Michigan
Manufacturing heritage with economic renewal
Filing Fee
$50
0 Annual Fee
$25
Processing 7-10 business days
Automotive Manufacturing
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Minnesota
High quality of life with educated workforce
Filing Fee
$155
0 0 Processing 5-7 business days
Healthcare Agriculture
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Missouri
Affordable central US hub
Filing Fee
$50
0 0 Processing 5-7 business days
Agriculture Manufacturing
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Nebraska
Stable agricultural economy
Filing Fee
$105
0 Annual Fee
$10
Processing 5-7 business days
Agriculture Insurance
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North Dakota
Energy boom opportunities
Filing Fee
$135
0 Annual Fee
$50
Processing 5-7 business days
Energy Agriculture
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Ohio
Affordable midwest base with diverse economy
Filing Fee
$99
0 0 Processing 3-5 business days
Manufacturing Healthcare
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South Dakota
Trust and privacy advantages with no income tax
Filing Fee
$150
0 Annual Fee
$50
Processing 3-5 business days
Banking Trust Services
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Wisconsin
Stable midwest economy with manufacturing strength
Filing Fee
$130
0 Annual Fee
$25
Processing 5-7 business days
Manufacturing Agriculture
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Southwest States
Arizona
Rapid growth with business-friendly environment
Filing Fee
$50
0 0 Processing 5-10 business days
Real Estate Tourism
View Details
Arkansas
Walmart ecosystem with very low costs
Filing Fee
$45
0 Annual Fee
$150
Processing 5-7 business days
Retail Agriculture
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Louisiana
Energy hub with Mississippi River access
Filing Fee
$100
0 Annual Fee
$35
Processing 5-7 business days
Energy Petrochemicals
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New Mexico
Film industry incentives and federal research
Filing Fee
$50
0 0 Processing 7-10 business days
Energy Aerospace
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Oklahoma
Energy sector with low costs
Filing Fee
$100
0 Annual Fee
$25
Processing 3-5 business days
Energy Aerospace
View Details
Texas
No income tax with massive market opportunities
Filing Fee
$300
0 0 Processing 5-7 business days
Energy Manufacturing
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West States
Alaska
Resource extraction and unique markets
Filing Fee
$250
0 Annual Fee
$100
Processing 10-15 business days
Oil/Gas Fishing
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California
Access to world's 5th largest economy
Filing Fee
$75
Franchise Tax
$800/yr
Annual Fee
$20
Processing 10-15 business days
Tech Startups Entertainment
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Colorado
Emerging tech hub with great quality of life
Filing Fee
$50
0 Annual Fee
$10
Processing 1-2 business days
Tech Cannabis
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Hawaii
Unique Pacific market opportunities
Filing Fee
$50
0 Annual Fee
$15
Processing 3-5 business days
Tourism Military
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Idaho
Rapid growth with great quality of life
Filing Fee
$100
0 0 Processing 5-7 business days
Tech Agriculture
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Montana
Ultimate quality of life for remote businesses
Filing Fee
$70
0 Annual Fee
$20
Processing 5-10 business days
Tourism Agriculture
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Nevada
Maximum privacy with no state income tax
Filing Fee
$75
0 Annual Fee
$350
Processing 1-2 business days
E-commerce Online Business
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Oregon
Progressive business environment with no sales tax
Filing Fee
$100
0 Annual Fee
$100
Processing 1-2 business days
Tech Green Business
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Utah
Silicon Slopes tech boom with low taxes
Filing Fee
$54
0 Annual Fee
$18
Processing 2-3 business days
Tech Finance
View Details
Washington
Tech capital with no state income tax
Filing Fee
$200
0 Annual Fee
$60
Processing 2-3 business days
Tech E-commerce
View Details
Wyoming
Best asset protection and privacy laws in the US
Filing Fee
$100
0 Annual Fee
$60
Processing 3-5 business days
Asset Protection Real Estate
View Details
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