How Much Does a Billboard Cost in 2024: A Detailed Guide
Using billboards as part of your marketing campaign can be a game changer. It’s effectiveness in terms of audience reach and ROI is the reason why this type of OOH advertising is extremely successful.
Billboards do come with a hefty price tag, which is quite intimidating for businesses to begin with. So, how much does a billboard cost? Well, you may end up spending hundreds or even thousands monthly. That is exactly why it becomes vital for you to acquaint yourself with all things billboards prior to investing.
In this article, I’ll walk you through all the details, especially the factors, that will assist you in deciding whether or not you should invest in a billboard.
How Much Does a Billboard Cost in 2024?
There’s no one-size-fits-all price tag for billboards. It strongly varies depending on various factors, including size and location, among others. The billboard cost per month can be anywhere between $500 and $10000+.
Localities with less population and foot & motor traffic will cost much less than busy areas. Moreover, the size and type of billboard also determine its cost. Add to it additional charges such as production and design costs, and the total figure ends up being quite a lot.
However, there are various billboards that will fit your budget and campaign needs. You can find multi-faceted, single-display, and even small billboards across a wide price range.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Billboard in 2024?
The Arbitron National In-Car Study reported that at least 70% of passengers check billboards on highways. And that’s not all! Over 35% verified having looked at billboards on roadways and highways every time they passed one. With such incredible stats on the table, it’ll be quite a waste for you not to market your business using billboards. Don’t you think?
That said, how much does it cost to own a billboard in 2024? Let’s run it through.
Firstly, you need to know the type of billboards (primarily 3) to grasp the relative size of your investment.
- Classic/Traditional Billboards
These are the primary OOH advertising types and have been in use for many years now.
Monthly production and installation costs in rural hotspots can be anywhere between $250 and $550. The figures grow exponentially for midsize and large cities like New York, reaching about $1500-$14000.
- Digital Billboards (DOOH)
They feature dynamic LED displays and offer versatile customizations. There are no printing charges, of course, but the technical costs are much higher. Monthly costs could run up to a staggering $15000.
- Mobile Billboards
Transit-based billboard ads, such as those I offer at Truckable, are at times more effective than traditional and digital OOH advertising types. You’ll see them on trucks, cars, buses, and other public transport. For one, they require less space and are more effective in reaching your target audience.
So, how much does it cost to buy a billboard? As we discussed, it depends on various factors: the type of billboard you choose, the duration of your ad campaign, and, of course, the location. Not only that, but you also must consider the design and production costs.
| Factors | Average Budget (in dollars) |
| Legal (License and Permits) | 100 to 500 |
| Designing | 500 to 5k+ |
| Production | 1k to 10k+ |
| Installation | 500 to 2k |
| Monthly Maintenance | 100 to 500 |
| Lighting (in the case of DOOH) | 1k to 5k+ |
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Billboard?
It wouldn’t be a surprise if you chose to rent a billboard rather than owning or building one yourself. Especially, after facing off with such staggering numbers.
Consider a few similar factors if you want to rent a billboard instead:
- Billboard Type
You can rent out traditional, digital, or mobile billboards; all at various price points.
Truckable offers an entire ad campaign based on trucks and mobile billboards. The cost (Print & installation included) will be anywhere between $999 and $1599 per month, depending on the type of ad vehicle you choose.
- Billboard Location
A high-traffic location is vital to your campaign’s success. The average monthly costs vary greatly across suburban towns and cities.
For instance, the average monthly rental costs are between $1500-$10000 for New York suburbs. While it’s $3000-$20000 within New York.
- Ad Duration
The duration of your ad campaign is an important factor when considering your budget.
| Ad-Campaign Duration (in months) | Average Monthly Rental Costs (per month) |
| 1-3 | $1.5k to $8k |
| 3-6 | $1.2k to $7k |
| 6-12 | $1k to $6k |
| Over 12 | $800 to $5k |
- Billboard Size
| Billboard Size | Average Monthly Rental Costs |
| Digital; size is variable | $5k to $20k |
| Large; 14’ by 48’ | $3k to $10k |
| Medium; 10’ by 20’ | $1.5k to $4k |
| Small; 8’ by 16’ | $800 to $2.5k |
Choosing Your Billboard
I’m sure you have a rough idea about the costs of building and owning a billboard or renting one. It is indeed not an easy task, either way. I suggest carrying out your own research, jotting down what your requirements are, and picking it up from there.
Are you a startup, and this is your first ad campaign? Or maybe you wish to expand your reach and attract more potential customers. There is a billboard for your business, and at Truckable, I’ll be happy to answer all your queries.