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Last reviewed: August 2026 · prices in USD · every figure computed from the cost-guide pricing engine
Every figure on this page is computed from the pricing engine behind the AI Agent for Your Business cost guide — seed ranges synthesized from published market pricing, drifted within ±8% by a monthly refresh. No survey numbers, no third-party stats.
Just 1 of 15 metros sits at the national baseline. New York commands the largest premium at +18%, pushing the top of the SMB range from $2,450 to $2,850 a month.
| Benchmark | Figure | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| SMB sweet spot | $300–$2,450/mo | Managed service, typical small business |
| DIY floor | $100/mo | Cheapest self-serve entry point |
| Top published tier | $15,000–$98,500 one-time | Custom build (one-time) |
| Metro premium ceiling | +18% | New York: SMB range $350–$2,850/mo |
| Tier | Typical range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| DIY platform (self-serve) | $100–$500/mo | No-code agent builders you configure and maintain yourself |
| Managed SMB agent | $300–$2,450/mo | Set up, trained on your business, and maintained for you |
| Mid-market | $2,500–$11,800/mo | Multiple channels (voice, chat, video), CRM integration, SLAs |
| Enterprise | $15,000–$49,000/mo | Custom orchestration, compliance, dedicated team |
| Custom build (one-time) | $15,000–$98,500 one-time | Ground-up agent development for unusual requirements |
| Metro | Modifier | SMB range |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | +18% | $350–$2,850/mo |
| San Francisco, CA | +17% | $350–$2,800/mo |
| Seattle, WA | +13% | $325–$2,750/mo |
| Washington, DC, DC | +12% | $325–$2,700/mo |
| Boston, MA | +11% | $325–$2,700/mo |
| Los Angeles, CA | +9% | $325–$2,650/mo |
| Miami, FL | +8% | $325–$2,650/mo |
| Atlanta, GA | +6% | $325–$2,600/mo |
| Chicago, IL | +6% | $325–$2,600/mo |
| Denver, CO | +6% | $325–$2,600/mo |
| Austin, TX | +4% | $300–$2,550/mo |
| Dallas, TX | +4% | $300–$2,550/mo |
| Phoenix, AZ | +4% | $300–$2,550/mo |
| Charlotte, NC | +3% | $300–$2,500/mo |
| Houston, TX | baseline (0%) | $300–$2,450/mo |
Methodology: ranges are synthesized from published 2026 market pricing across vendors, agencies, and platforms, reviewed and refreshed monthly (last refresh: August 2026). Metro figures apply a cost-of-doing-business index (built from 2026 local cost-of-living and labor data) that we scale per price tier: self-serve tools are priced nationally and barely move between cities, while managed and enterprise work — which is delivered by local labor — carries the full local premium. That is why the same city shifts a done-for-you retainer far more than a DIY subscription. Prices are in USD and describe typical market rates, not quotes; a real quote for your business takes minutes through a verified provider on the hashtag.org network.