> although LLC formation might cost $800 in California
That sounded really high, so I looked it up here:
http://www.sos.ca.gov/business-programs/business-entities/fo...
It looks like CA is $70, unless I'm missing something. I've never started an LLC in CA though. (EDIT: keep reading down the thread for more clarification.)
(But: there's another thread here that says IL is $500, which does appear to be correct.)