How we estimate attorney fees

The formula

Each estimate is a national fee benchmark for the case type, multiplied by the local cost-of-living index for your ZIP code. Every area carries an index where 100 equals the U.S. average: a ZIP at 130 sees figures about 30% higher than the national norm, and a ZIP at 90 sees figures roughly 10% lower. We publish a Low, Average, and High benchmark for each case type and scale all three.

Where the fee benchmarks come from

National Low / Average / High figures reflect typical U.S. fee norms for each practice area — for example, the standard contingency tiers in injury cases (about 33.3% pre-suit, rising to 40–45% in litigation) or flat-fee ranges for closings and uncontested filings. Contingency percentages are governed by each state bar's "reasonableness" rules, modeled on ABA Model Rule 1.5 (Fees).

Where the local adjustment comes from

The cost-of-living index is derived from the most precise source available for each ZIP code:

• Metro & state price levels — U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (RPP), which measure how local prices compare to the national average.
• ZIP → metro mapping — U.S. Census Bureau metropolitan/micropolitan geography, so each ZIP is matched to its correct metro area.
• ZIP geolocation — open postal data resolves a ZIP to its city, state, and metro before the index is applied.

When metro-level data isn't available for a ZIP, we fall back to the state index, then to the national average.

Local market context on city pages

Each city page also shows real, published data about the local market so you can read the fee estimate in context. These figures come straight from federal sources and inform the surrounding narrative — they are not part of the fee formula above:

• Population & median household income — U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates.
• Local law firms — the count of legal-services establishments (NAICS 5411) from U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns, an indicator of how competitive the local market is.
• Exact metro area — the HUD USPS ZIP Code Crosswalk resolves each ZIP to its precise metropolitan (CBSA) and county.
• Fair-market rent — U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Market Rents, a plain-English gauge of local living costs alongside the price index.

This data is cached from the official APIs and refreshed periodically; where a figure isn't available for a city, it's simply left out.

What the estimates are — and aren't

These figures are informational estimates, not quotes or legal advice. Your actual fee depends on the attorney, the complexity and stage of your case, and the engagement terms you sign. For an exact price, speak with a licensed attorney in your area.