We use cookies and similar technologies to run the site, keep you signed in, remember your preferences, and understand how the site is used. See our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
Last reviewed: August 2026 · prices in USD · every figure computed from the cost-guide pricing engine
The index is a stated cost-of-doing-business premium on the national baseline — the same one every San Francisco cost guide uses. It applies per price tier: managed and enterprise work carries most of it (delivered by local labor), while self-serve tools stay priced nationally and barely budge. All ranges below are the managed-SMB sweet spot per service, drift-adjusted at the monthly refresh.
| Benchmark | Figure | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-business index | +17% | scaled per tier — managed work takes most of it, self-serve tools none |
| Priciest service (SMB) | $2,850–$6,800/mo | Search Everywhere Optimization |
| Cheapest service (SMB) | $175–$700/mo | Agentic Website |
| Largest swing vs national | +$900/mo | Search Everywhere Optimization, top of the SMB range |
| Service | National SMB range | San Francisco SMB range | Δ at the top |
|---|---|---|---|
| Search Everywhere Optimization | $2,450–$5,900/mo | $2,850–$6,800/mo | +$900/mo |
| Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) | $1,450–$3,950/mo | $1,700–$4,500/mo | +$550/mo |
| Agentic SEO | $300–$3,550/mo | $350–$4,100/mo | +$550/mo |
| AI Agent for Your Business | $300–$2,450/mo | $350–$2,800/mo | +$350/mo |
| Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) | $975–$2,450/mo | $1,150–$2,800/mo | +$350/mo |
| Agentic Website | $150–$600/mo | $175–$700/mo | +$100/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.