This tool provides general cost estimates for informational purposes only. It is NOT legal advice. Costs vary significantly based on individual circumstances. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for specific guidance.
Legal Cost Statistics by State
$9,905 — the national median cost of a criminal defense, the most expensive of the 8 legal matter types tracked, based on 369 real state-level data points.
Key Findings
- Criminal Defense is the most expensive matter type nationally, with a median cost of $9,905 across 51 states.
- Estate Planning / Probate is the least expensive matter type nationally, with a median cost of $1,954 across 46 states.
- Real Estate Closing costs 121% more in Hawaii than in Kentucky — the widest state-to-state gap of any matter type tracked.
- Criminal Defense costs 102% more in Hawaii ($13,350) than in Alabama ($6,600).
- Divorce costs 113% more in Hawaii ($12,900) than in Alabama ($6,050).
Median Cost by Matter Type
| Matter Type | National Average | Highest-Cost State | Lowest-Cost State | High vs. Low |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Defense | $9,905 | Hawaii: $13,350 | Alabama: $6,600 | +102% |
| Divorce | $8,798 | Hawaii: $12,900 | Alabama: $6,050 | +113% |
| DUI / DWI | $7,403 | Washington: $9,800 | South Carolina: $5,550 | +77% |
| Immigration | $4,938 | Hawaii: $7,150 | Kentucky: $3,350 | +113% |
| Personal Injury | $4,928 | Hawaii: $6,650 | Arkansas: $3,500 | +90% |
| Bankruptcy | $3,479 | Hawaii: $4,400 | Kentucky: $2,350 | +87% |
| Real Estate Closing | $2,155 | Hawaii: $3,200 | Kentucky: $1,450 | +121% |
| Estate Planning / Probate | $1,954 | Hawaii: $2,600 | Alabama: $1,350 | +93% |
National averages and state comparisons are computed from LegalCostCalc's sourced moderate-complexity cost dataset (see each matter type's individual state pages for full source citations). Only states with verified, non-duplicate data are included in each average.
Download the Data
The figures above are available as machine-readable feeds for research, journalism, and data-storytelling use — the same real numbers shown on this page, no additional processing.
This tool provides general cost estimates for informational purposes only. It is NOT legal advice. Costs vary significantly based on individual circumstances. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for specific guidance.