How Much is a Billboard in Philadelphia (in 2024)?
Billboard advertising is one of the most powerful tools for reaching a diverse and large audience. In Philadelphia, with a population nearing 1.6 million people and a steady influx of commuters and tourists, billboards offer high visibility in key areas. High-traffic zones like I-95, I-76, and landmarks such as the Liberty Bell and Reading Terminal Market make billboards an ideal option for reaching both residents and visitors.
From Center City to the busy highways and famous attractions, Philadelphia provides numerous locations for billboard advertising, whether you're targeting locals or daily commuters. Despite the growth of digital advertising, billboards remain a highly cost-effective option, especially in metropolitan environments like Philadelphia.
In this article, we cover the costs associated with billboard advertising in Philadelphia, factors that influence pricing, and how you can utilize billboards to enhance your brand’s visibility.
To learn more about how billboard advertising can benefit your brand, check out our Billboard Advertising Services.
Key Takeaways
5 Factors Affecting Billboard Costs in Philadelphia
Several elements influence the cost of billboard advertising in Philadelphia, and understanding these factors can help businesses budget more effectively.
Factors Impacting Billboard Costs
1. Location
Premium spots like major highways (I-95, I-76) and landmarks like the Philadelphia Museum of Art command higher prices due to high visibility. Neighborhoods like Center City offer exposure to both locals and tourists but come at a premium. Suburban areas, like King of Prussia, may offer more affordable options with less reach. Compare costs in other cities like Los Angeles and New York.
2. Billboard Size
Larger bulletins (14' x 48') offer strong visual impact, making them more expensive. Mid-sized posters (10'6" x 22'8") are more affordable, and smaller billboards or junior posters are budget-friendly but have limited reach.
3. Type of Billboard
Static billboards are more affordable, while digital billboards, often in high-traffic areas, offer dynamic, rotating content at a higher price. They provide flexibility by targeting different audiences throughout the day.
4. Visibility and Accessibility
Billboards on major highways with clear sightlines tend to be more expensive. Illuminated billboards increase costs due to higher visibility at night, and unobstructed billboards facing traffic can further drive up prices.
5. Demand and Seasonality
Billboard prices fluctuate with demand, rising during major events, holidays, or sporting events at venues like Lincoln Financial Field. Prices peak during high-traffic seasons when more businesses compete for space.
Costs of Billboard Advertising in Philadelphia
The cost of billboards in Philadelphia varies widely based on location, size, and type. Below is an overview of typical costs to help businesses plan their budgets.
Billboard Pricing Overview
Traditional Billboards: Static Billboards
- Premium Locations: $5,000–$10,000 per 4-week period (e.g., along I-95, I-76, or Center City)
- Moderate Locations: $3,000–$5,000 for mid-traffic areas or neighborhoods with good visibility
- Affordable Options: $1,500–$3,000 in suburban or less trafficked areas
Digital Billboard Costs
- High-Traffic Areas: $6,000–$15,000 per 4-week period in places like Center City or I-95
- Moderate Locations: $3,000–$7,000 for areas outside the city center or less congested zones
- Shared Digital Space: Lower rates but shared screen time with other advertisers
In 2024, the cost of billboard advertising in Philadelphia varies based on location, size, and format. On average, traditional billboards range from $1,500 to $10,000 per 4-week period. Premium locations like Center City or along highways such as I-95 and I-76 can cost upwards of $5,000 to $10,000 for the same duration. In more suburban or less-trafficked areas, prices typically fall between $1,500 and $3,000 per 4 weeks.
Digital billboards are more flexible but come at a higher price. Costs in high-traffic areas range from $6,000 to $15,000 per 4-week period, while more moderate locations can range from $3,000 to $7,000.
Other options include:
Mobile billboards: Cost between $1,000 and $3,500 per day, depending on the duration and route.
Wallscapes: Large-format ads that can cost between $10,000 and $50,000 per 4-week period, depending on location and size.
Advertising Tax for Billboard Advertising
Along with the cost of renting billboard space, it's important to factor in Philadelphia’s 7% advertising tax, which applies to the sale of advertising space. The advertiser is responsible for this tax, which is collected by the billboard company at the time of transaction. This tax is added to your total cost, so make sure to include it in your budget planning. This tax also must be filed and paid monthly by the 15th for the previous month’s activity.
Types of Billboards Available in Philadelphia
Philadelphia offers a range of billboard types catering to various budgets and campaign goals. Below are the most common options:
Traditional Static Billboards
These billboards are best for long-term brand-building campaigns. They remain in place for weeks or months, providing consistent visibility. Popular locations include bulletins (14' x 48') along major highways near Lincoln Financial Field, Citizens Bank Park, and posters in neighborhoods like South Philadelphia and Fishtown for local exposure.
- Tip: Use static billboards for steady, ongoing brand exposure in high-traffic areas near sports venues and key neighborhoods.
Digital Billboards
Digital billboards are found in high-traffic areas like I-95 and Center City. They offer rotating messages and real-time updates, allowing businesses to update ads based on the time of day, such as breakfast specials near Reading Terminal Market or dinner deals near Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks.
- Tip: Take advantage of dynamic content by scheduling messages to target specific audiences throughout the day.
Mobile Billboards
Mobile billboards, typically mounted on trucks, travel through targeted routes, making them ideal for event promotions or reaching multiple neighborhoods. Flexible routes through areas like Manayunk, Chestnut Hill, and Rittenhouse Square allow advertisers to target peak traffic and key audiences.
- Tip: Customize routes to reach key audiences and take advantage of mobile flexibility for events.
Wallscapes
Wallscapes are large-format ads installed on the sides of buildings, commonly found in areas like Center City or near major attractions like the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Pennsylvania Convention Center. These ads provide a lasting visual impact but come at a premium cost.
- Tip: Consider wallscapes for high-impact campaigns near major attractions and cultural hubs.
Transit Billboards
Transit billboards appear on buses, trains, and in subway stations, offering exposure to daily commuters. They provide high visibility in areas like 30th Street Station, Market Street, and key transportation hubs, reaching a large, diverse audience.
- Tip: Use transit billboards to reach commuters and diverse audiences in high-traffic transit hubs like 30th Street Station.
Benefits of Billboard Advertising in Philadelphia
Despite the growth of digital advertising, billboards remain a highly cost-effective option, especially in metropolitan environments like Philadelphia. According to a 2019 Nielsen report, 71% of consumers often look at billboards while driving, and 58% of adults aged 18 and older have learned about an event or brand from an outdoor ad. Here are some reasons why:
🚦 High Visibility
Philadelphia’s dense population and high-traffic areas ensure that billboards reach thousands of people daily. Billboards near transit hubs, highways, and sports venues like Lincoln Financial Field are ideal for generating constant exposure. In fact, 83% of people report that billboards grab their attention more effectively than online ads.
⏰ 24/7 Brand Exposure
Unlike digital ads that depend on specific timeframes or user interaction, billboards are visible around the clock, continuously building brand awareness. A well-placed billboard on highways like I-76 or the Schuylkill Expressway can generate thousands of impressions daily.
💰 Cost-Effective Reach
When considering CPM (cost per thousand impressions), billboards are highly cost-effective compared to many digital platforms. Studies from the OAAA show that OOH advertising returns an average of $5.97 in profit for every dollar spent, providing a strong return on investment.
📍 Geographic Targeting
Billboards allow advertisers to focus on specific geographic areas. Whether targeting sports fans near Citizens Bank Park or tourists in Old City, billboards offer the ability to deliver relevant messaging to the right audience.
How to Rent a Billboard in Philadelphia
Renting a billboard in Philadelphia involves choosing the right location, determining the type of billboard that fits your campaign, and setting a budget. Here are the steps involved:
Contact Good Kids: The first step in securing a billboard is reaching out to our team at Good Kids. As experts in outdoor advertising, we’ll help you navigate the complexities of the process, from identifying prime locations to managing costs. Our personalized approach ensures that your billboard campaign is tailored to your business needs.
Location Matters: High-traffic areas like I-95 or Center City ensure maximum visibility. For targeting suburban customers, consider areas like Manayunk, Chestnut Hill, or the Main Line.
Selecting the Billboard Type: Choose between static billboards for long-term campaigns or digital billboards for dynamic, rotating messages. For businesses that need flexibility, mobile billboards offer targeted reach across multiple neighborhoods.
Budgeting for Billboard Advertising: Expect to pay between $1,500 and $10,000 for traditional billboards depending on location and size. Digital billboards range from $3,000 to $15,000 per 4-week period. Design and production costs can add between $500 and $2,000 to your budget.
FAQs About Billboard Advertising in Philadelphia
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Billboards in less trafficked suburban areas can start as low as $1,500 for a 4-week period. For flexible, cost-effective solutions, mobile billboards offer an adaptable option.
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Traditional billboards are best for long-term, simple messages, while digital billboards are ideal for dynamic, time-sensitive content.
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Billboards offer high visibility and a lower CPM than digital ads, making them a cost-effective way to reach large audiences. Businesses can expect a healthy ROI, especially in high-traffic areas.
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Measuring a billboard campaign’s impact is different from digital ads, but it can be done using several methods:
Trackable URLs/QR Codes: Add a unique URL, phone number, or QR code to your billboard to track direct responses.
Sales and Traffic Data: Compare sales and foot traffic before, during, and after the billboard runs to gauge its influence.
Customer Surveys: Ask customers how they heard about your business to assess the billboard’s reach.
Partner with Good Kids for Effective Billboard Advertising
When you choose Good Kids, we make the process of launching a successful billboard campaign simple and stress-free. It all starts with a call. During this conversation, we’ll dig into your specific goals, target audience, and budget. Our team will help you identify the key performance indicators (KPIs) that matter most, so we can measure your success together.
From there, we handle the heavy lifting. Using our extensive network, we’ll find the best billboard locations to match your audience, traffic, and cost requirements. Whether it’s a high-visibility spot in Center City or a strategic location targeting suburban commuters, we’ll negotiate the best rates and secure your billboard space.
Once everything is in place, our team will manage the implementation—getting your ad live and ensuring that your campaign runs smoothly. We don’t just stop there. Throughout the campaign, we’ll track the results and keep you informed on performance, making any necessary adjustments to maximize your impact.
Ready to take your brand to new heights? Book a call with us today, and let’s start building a billboard strategy that drives real results.
Get Seen with Billboard Advertising in Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s diverse landscape offers plenty of opportunities for billboard advertising, whether you’re targeting commuters along I-95 or tourists visiting the Liberty Bell. By placing your brand in the heart of the city, you can capture the attention of a broad audience at a competitive cost.
Ready to discuss your billboard options? Book a call with us today to discuss the best billboard strategy for your brand. If you're curious about how digital ads can complement your outdoor efforts, visit our Paid Media and Ad Services page for more information.
