> A good artist is just as expensive as a good programmer.

Let's look at industry, and just go look at what video game artists make compared to programmers with a similar amount of experience. Now, are you just claiming that they just aren't very good artists, so they aren't paid well? Because I've seen their work, and its not shabby at all.

Video game companies are a special case (even for programmers). They work people to the bone for lower pay because people are passionate about video games, but the common denominator there is gamers wanting to get into the industry—not being an artist or programmer.

But if you want a finished artwork, chances are it's going to take an amount of time worth $50-150.

If you want a finished (nontrivial) program, chances are it's going to take at least an order of magnitude more than that.