2026 Cost Guide
How much does Software Development cost in Los Angeles?
Estimates last reviewed Jul 2026.
Cost snapshot — Los Angeles, 2026
| Role or engagement | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Senior engineer (dedicated) | $180–$275/hour |
| Product designer | $150–$225/hour |
| Small MVP web app (10–14 weeks) | $80,000–$225,000 |
| Native mobile app (iOS + Android) | $150,000–$500,000 |
| API/backend build | $60,000–$250,000 |
| Team augmentation (dedicated engineer, monthly) | $18,000–$32,000/month |
| Ongoing platform maintenance | $3,000–$15,000/month |
Frequently asked
Should we hire an LA agency or offshore?
LA agencies charge 3–5x offshore rates but deliver in your time zone, in-culture, and typically ship faster on complex work. Many LA firms run hybrid teams — LA leadership plus offshore engineers — which is a reasonable middle ground.
React, Vue, or something else?
React is the dominant framework in LA. TypeScript is essentially universal. Backend varies more — Node, Python, Go, and Elixir all have strong LA communities.
What's a reasonable MVP timeline?
12–20 weeks for a well-scoped MVP with a real user base. Anything under 8 weeks is likely too rushed to be maintainable.
How do we protect our IP?
Standard work-for-hire agreements with IP assignment, plus NDAs. Reputable LA firms sign these without pushback.
Fixed price or time and materials?
Fixed price only works when the scope is truly locked and understood. For most product work, time-and-materials with a not-to-exceed cap is safer for both sides.
Methodology, briefly
These figures are editorial estimates: typical ranges assembled from published market rates and national benchmark data, adjusted for the Los Angeles market. They are a starting point for budgeting, not quotes — actual pricing varies with headcount, compliance scope, and asset counts. We are collecting real pricing data from LA providers and will refine these ranges as it accumulates. See our full methodology.