The cost to form an LLC for a Houston business starts with the $300 Texas filing fee. Add annual fees, a registered agent, and local Houston business taxes below.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Texas charges a $300 filing fee to form an LLC, with no annual report fee (a franchise/margin tax filing may apply). Texas has no state income tax but imposes a franchise (margin) tax on businesses with revenue over $2.47 million. Property taxes are relatively high compared to the national average, partially offsetting the lack of income tax.
| Cost Item | Amount | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Filing Fee | $300 | One-time at formation |
| State franchise / margin tax | Only above revenue threshold | Annually |
| Registered Agent Service | $49 to $300/year | Annually |
| Local Houston Business License / Tax | Varies; no city income tax | Annually |
| Operating Agreement | $0 to $500 | One-time (recommended) |
| EIN (Federal Tax ID) | Free | One-time (IRS.gov) |
Texas cities do not levy a local business income tax. Plan instead for the state franchise (margin) tax on larger businesses and county business personal property tax on equipment and inventory.
Houston is the largest city in Texas and the energy capital of the world, with a diverse economy spanning oil and gas, the Texas Medical Center (the largest medical complex on earth), the Port of Houston, aerospace at NASA's Johnson Space Center, and manufacturing.
| Local Metric | Houston (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 2.3 million |
| County / jurisdiction | Harris County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 96 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $19.60/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $40.20/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $7.25/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,350/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,650/month |
| Median home price | $340,000 |
| Median household income | $60,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 8.25% |
| Effective property tax rate | 2.09% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The LLC filing fee is set by Texas at $300, since LLCs are formed at the state level. You also need a registered agent (about $49 to $300/year), and any local Houston business license or tax. Texas cities do not levy a local business income tax. Plan instead for the state franchise (margin) tax on larger businesses and county business personal property tax on equipment and inventory.
Texas cities do not levy a local business income tax. Plan instead for the state franchise (margin) tax on larger businesses and county business personal property tax on equipment and inventory.
Plan for the state franchise/margin tax if applicable, registered agent renewal (about $49/year), and any local Houston business license or tax. The calculator above totals these for you.
LLCs are registered with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts at the state level, not the city. You then comply with local Houston requirements such as a business license, zoning, and any city business tax. There is no separate city-level LLC filing.
If your business actually operates in Houston, forming in Texas is usually simplest. Forming in Delaware or Wyoming while operating in Houston typically forces you to register as a foreign LLC in Texas anyway, paying fees in both states.