Wyoming LLC vs Nevada LLC: 2026 Comparison
By {AUTHOR_OPS_NAME}, Director of Filing Operations | Published May 15, 2026 | Updated May 15, 2026
Wyoming and Nevada are both no-income-tax states with strong LLC protections. The critical difference is cost: Wyoming's annual recurring fees are $160 per year versus Nevada's approximately $450 per year. Over five years, this adds up to a $1,453 savings. This comparison covers costs, charging order protection, privacy, and the scenarios where each state makes sense. For a complete overview of Wyoming LLC benefits, see our Wyoming LLC guide.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Factor | Wyoming | Nevada |
|---|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $100 | $75 |
| Annual Report | $60/year | $150/year (Annual List) |
| Business License | None required | $200/year |
| State Income Tax | None | None |
| Franchise Tax | None | None |
| Charging Order Protection | § 17-29-503(a) exclusive | NRS 86.401 |
| Single-Member Protection | Explicitly extended | Extended |
| Member Privacy | Not listed on filings | Not listed on filings |
| LLC Statute Enacted | 1977 | 1991 |
| DAPT Available | Yes (§ 4-10-510) | Yes (NRS 166) |
| Annual Recurring Cost | $160/year | ~$450/year |
| 5-Year Total Cost | ~$1,137 | ~$2,475 |
Wyoming Advantages Over Nevada
Wyoming's primary advantage over Nevada is cost. Wyoming's annual recurring fees total $160 per year ($60 annual report plus $100 registered agent). Nevada's annual recurring fees total approximately $450 per year ($200 state business license plus $150 annual list plus $100 registered agent). That is $290 per year in savings, or $1,453 over five years. Wyoming also has the older LLC statute (1977 versus Nevada's 1991), meaning Wyoming's LLC case law and statutory provisions have been refined over a longer period. Wyoming's filing process is simpler: one annual report versus Nevada's separate business license and annual list filings. Wyoming offers Domestic Asset Protection Trusts under § 4-10-510, and Nevada also offers DAPTs under NRS 166, making this a neutral factor. Both states provide strong charging order protection and member privacy. The bottom line is that Wyoming provides equivalent protection and privacy at less than half the annual cost. For any LLC owner choosing between Wyoming and Nevada, the cost advantage is decisive absent specific reasons to be in Nevada such as a physical business location there.
Nevada Advantages Over Wyoming
Nevada's advantages are limited when compared directly to Wyoming. Both states have no state income tax. Both provide strong charging order protection. Both offer member privacy by not listing members on public filings. Nevada has a well-established reputation as a business-friendly state, built through decades of marketing by the Nevada Secretary of State's office and formation services based in Las Vegas and Reno. This name recognition means some business partners, vendors, or clients may be more familiar with Nevada LLCs than Wyoming LLCs. Nevada also has a larger economy and population, which means more local attorneys, CPAs, and service providers are familiar with Nevada LLC law. If you operate a physical business in Nevada (restaurant, retail, construction), forming a Nevada LLC avoids the need for foreign qualification. Beyond these situational factors, Nevada does not offer substantive legal advantages over Wyoming for LLC formation. The charging order protections are comparable, the privacy provisions are equivalent, and the tax treatment is identical. Nevada's higher annual costs ($450 versus $160) make it the more expensive option for the same level of protection and privacy.
5-Year Cost Comparison
| Year | Wyoming | Nevada | WY Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 (Formation) | $497 | $675 | $278 |
| Year 2 | $160 | $450 | $290 |
| Year 3 | $160 | $450 | $290 |
| Year 4 | $160 | $450 | $290 |
| Year 5 | $160 | $450 | $290 |
| 5-Year Total | $1,137 | $2,475 | $1,438 |
Wyoming saves $1,438 over five years compared to Nevada. The savings come from Nevada's $200 annual business license and $150 annual list filing, neither of which Wyoming requires. For detailed Wyoming costs, see our cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions: Wyoming vs Nevada
Choose Wyoming. Save $290/year vs Nevada.
Same no-income-tax advantage. Same privacy. Stronger statute. $160/year vs $450/year. $497 total to form.
Start your Wyoming LLC