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How Much Does it Cost to Advertise on a Billboard?

Jul 5, 2023 | Business Signs, Custom Signs

Billboard sign advertising is one of the best ways to advertise your business to a large audience. They’re huge, conveniently placed, visually appealing, and hard to miss. A whopping 71% of in-car passengers say they often look at the messages on roadside billboards. They’ve been around for nearly two centuries, and there are a variety of billboard sign styles to meet your specific needs. So how much does it cost for a billboard sign?


Billboard Sign Advertising Costs Explained

The price of your billboard sign advertisement can vary greatly depending on your location, population, desired size, and style preferences.

For example, if you are located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a physical billboard could run you anywhere from $550 to $4,000 a month. But if your location is Los Angeles, California, that same billboard could have a monthly cost of between $1,000 and $10,000 in that same month. In this scenario, although the size and style could be the same, the population of the two locations varies so greatly that you pay more for the prime real estate of advertising in a densely populated metropolis.


Average Billboard Sign Cost in Houston, TX

With that being said, the price of a billboard near our location in Houston, Texas, costs somewhere in the middle of these two cities. The average cost of a classic billboard can run you $2,600 monthly on average, with the lowest-priced options costing only $150. If you wanted to upgrade to a digital billboard, the average monthly cost would be $5,250, with the least expensive options running about $600.

Both types of billboards are placed in highly visible areas with the heaviest traffic, including highways and major intersections. Likewise, your business can benefit from the regular rotation of your billboard to various high-traffic areas throughout Houston. This can help you get the most value for your billboard sign investment and ensure you reach your target audience.

Additional Billboard Sign Advertising Costs

Design Costs

If you haven’t already settled on a design for your billboard, you may need to hire a billboard design agency or a freelance designer. You may be able to save money by going with a freelancer, which could cost around $150. But if you opt for a reputable billboard design agency, you may pay upwards of $500 for their services.

Although designing your billboard in-house could save you money, hiring someone with expertise to assist in your design is a wise choice that could earn you more in the long run. They will be able to incorporate memorable messaging, readable fonts, and quality images that help boost your business.

Materials Costs

Although classic billboards can be designed on canvas, vinyl is the standard material used for most physical billboards. Because of its glossy finish, it helps your design stand out more vividly and therefore is more visually appealing. Vinyl typically costs between $1 and $1.50 per square foot. So, if your billboard design is printed on a 14-foot by 48-foot sheet of vinyl, the material alone could cost you anywhere from $672 to $1,008.

Installation Costs

Although this is typically included in the monthly rate for your rented billboard space, the cost of installation is an added expense. In many other cities, this is a factor to consider, but in Houston, many billboard advertising options include this cost in their monthly campaign fees.

Repairs

Once your billboard is in place, it may be subject to damage at some point. Hiring someone to repair your sign might be an expense you hadn’t factored in.

Duration

How long are you planning to have your billboard sign appear to your target audience? Most campaigns have a duration of four weeks, but you can set yours to remain on display for several months. Factor the total cost into your overall investment, and consider adjusting the length of time as your billboard draws in new customers. Be sure to consider the time of year and changing seasons into your decision.

So you’ve decided to invest in billboard sign advertising. You’ve factored in all the potential costs, and considered all the positive outcomes for your business. But you may still have questions. Is a physical billboard right for me? Or should I choose a digital billboard? Contact Bakers’ Signs today to discuss further questions about billboard sign advertising or to rent a billboard sign that will draw attention to your business.

By Matt Baker

By Matt Baker

Matt Baker, oldest son of company founder Roberta Baker, has literally grown up in the sign business. It comes as no surprise that he has taken the company his mother created to new heights.