Surrogacy is a process in which a woman carries and delivers a child for another individual or couple. The surrogate mother is impregnated through in vitro fertilization (IVF), where the embryo is created using the eggs and sperm of the intended parents (or donors) and then transferred to the surrogate (Yale Medicine, Cleveland Clinic). This process typically takes between 15 to 18 months on average once the surrogate is matched with the intended parents (Conceive Abilities).

As for the cost of surrogacy in different cities, it can vary widely depending on many factors such as the location, the surrogacy agency, and the specific arrangements made. For instance:

In the US, the total cost can range from $100,000 to $225,000 (US News), with the average cost of surrogacy ranging from $190,000 to $230,000 in states like California (West Coast Surrogacy).
Surrogacy in Mexico with a Miracle Surrogacy egg donor starts at $58,800 (Miracle Surrogacy).
The average cost of surrogacy in Cyprus falls within the range of $55,000 to $75,000 (Placid Way).
It's important to note that these costs typically include a range of expenses, such as agency fees, surrogate fees, legal fees, and costs associated with embryo creation.