Billboard Advertising in Atlanta: What It Really Costs

If you’re trying to figure out how much a billboard costs in Atlanta, the honest answer is: it depends — a lot. Prices can range from a few hundred dollars per month in less busy areas to tens of thousands of dollars per month along the city’s busiest highways.

This guide breaks down realistic cost ranges, what drives those prices in Atlanta specifically, and how to estimate what you might pay.

Typical Billboard Costs in Atlanta

Most outdoor advertising companies in Atlanta price billboards by the four-week period (sometimes called a “month” in the industry).

Here’s a general overview of common ranges you might see around metro Atlanta:

These are typical ballpark figures, not quoted rates. Real pricing can sit above or below these bands depending on availability, season, and negotiation.

Key Factors That Affect Billboard Cost in Atlanta

1. Location, Location, Location

In Atlanta, where your billboard sits is the biggest driver of cost.

High-demand zones usually include:

• Downtown Atlanta – Near Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, Georgia World Congress Center.
• Midtown – Along the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85), near Georgia Tech and North Avenue.
• Buckhead – Near Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza, Peachtree Road, and GA‑400.
• Major interstates:
  • I‑75 / I‑85 (Downtown Connector) – Heavy daily commuter and through‑traffic.
  • I‑285 (Perimeter) – Key corridor past Sandy Springs, Doraville, Tucker, and more.
  • I‑20 – East–west traffic between west Atlanta, downtown, and Decatur.

Billboards directly facing these highways or on approach to major interchanges typically cost much more than signs on smaller local roads.

2. Static vs. Digital Billboards

Atlanta has a growing number of digital billboards, especially around the interstates and key urban corridors.

• Static billboard (traditional printed vinyl):
  • You rent the entire face for the full term.
  • Usually cheaper per period.
  • Good for simple messages and brand awareness.
• Digital billboard:
  • Your ad rotates with others (e.g., 6–8 advertisers sharing one screen).
  • Each ad plays for a few seconds repeatedly.
  • Higher cost per slot, but more flexibility:
    • Change creative quickly.
    • Schedule different messages at different times of day.
    • Run shorter campaigns.

In high-demand Atlanta spots, a digital slot can sometimes cost as much as or more than a mid‑tier static face—because of its flexibility and visibility at night.

3. Traffic and Visibility

Billboard companies typically charge more where:

• Traffic counts are high (major arteries like I‑285, I‑75, Peachtree Street).
• The sign is clearly visible ahead with little obstruction.
• Drivers have enough time to read the message (straight stretch vs. sharp curve or cluttered scenery).

Within the City of Atlanta and surrounding areas like Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, and Decatur, the same-size billboard can vary in price depending on:

• Direction of traffic (inbound to downtown often costs more).
• Side of the highway (commuter side vs. reverse flow).
• Proximity to popular exits (e.g., exits for Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Buckhead business district, downtown attractions).

4. Size and Format

Common formats around Atlanta include:

• Bulletins: Large highway billboards (often 14′ x 48′).
• Posters: Mid-size signs, more common on surface streets.
• Wallscapes: Large ad walls on the sides of buildings (seen more in dense areas like Downtown and Midtown).

Bigger and more dominant formats (like bulletins and wallscapes) generally cost more, especially when they’re positioned prominently along major corridors.

5. Length of the Contract

Longer commitments often bring down the monthly average cost:

• Short-term (4–8 weeks):
  • Higher monthly rate.
  • Good for events, grand openings, or seasonal pushes.
• Medium-term (3–6 months):
  • Often priced more favorably per month.
• Long-term (6–12+ months):
  • Many advertisers in Atlanta lock in a prime location for brand visibility.
  • Can be more cost-efficient over time.

If you want a prime spot on I‑75 near Midtown, be prepared that the owner may prefer longer-term advertisers, and may price accordingly.

6. Production and Installation Costs

The rental price is not the only cost.

For static billboards, you’ll usually also pay for:

• Printing the vinyl: Often a few hundred dollars, depending on size and material.
• Installation (posting): Sometimes rolled into the contract, sometimes separate.

For digital billboards:

• There’s typically no printing cost, but:
  • You need a properly formatted digital creative.
  • Some vendors charge creative or setup fees if they help design or adapt the artwork.

If you’re budgeting, add a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars on top of the monthly rent to account for production, especially for multiple designs or frequent changes.

What a Small Business Might Expect to Pay in Atlanta

To give a more concrete sense of reality, here are some common budget scenarios Atlanta businesses explore:

• Local small business in a neighborhood area

  • Example: A restaurant in East Atlanta Village or a shop in West End.
  • Likely looking at:
    • $1,000 – $3,000 per 4 weeks for a local static billboard on a nearby arterial road.
    • Production costs extra.

• Growing business along major commuter routes

  • Example: A service company targeting Cobb County commuters on I‑75 or Gwinnett commuters on I‑85.
  • Might budget:
    • $3,000 – $8,000 per 4 weeks for a good static bulletin.
    • Higher on especially dense segments of I‑285, GA‑400, or the Downtown Connector.

• Brand campaign in a premium digital location

  • Example: Regional or national brand wanting visibility near Buckhead, Midtown, or around Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
  • Can see:
    • $8,000 – $20,000+ per 4 weeks for a strong presence on digital faces.

These ranges assume metro Atlanta and current general market patterns, but actual quotes depend on the specific sign and timing.

Special Considerations for Billboards in the City of Atlanta

Local Zoning and Sign Rules

Billboards in Atlanta are subject to zoning and sign regulations, which affect:

• Where new billboards can be placed.
• How big they can be.
• Whether they can be digital or must stay static.

If you’re just renting billboard space, the media company usually handles compliance. But if you’re considering building or owning a billboard on your own property, you’ll need to understand local rules.

You can get information on sign regulations from:

City of Atlanta – Office of Buildings
55 Trinity Avenue SW, Suite 3800
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 330‑6150

The Fulton County and DeKalb County planning departments also regulate signs in areas outside the City of Atlanta limits.

Airport and Transit Advertising

Some businesses look at alternative outdoor formats that function similarly to billboards:

• Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport advertising:

  • Wall signs, digital displays, and large interior and exterior formats.
  • Typically managed by a dedicated airport advertising contractor.
  • Often more expensive per impression, but highly targeted to travelers.

• MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority):

  • Ad space on buses, trains, and in stations.
  • Functions like moving or station-based billboards.
  • Pricing structure is different but can be comparable in reach to certain roadside billboards.

For MARTA information, you can start with:

MARTA Headquarters
2424 Piedmont Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
Phone: (404) 848‑5000

They can direct you to current advertising contacts.

How to Estimate Your Own Billboard Budget in Atlanta

When planning your budget, it helps to organize a few details first:

1. Define Your Target Area

Ask yourself:

• Do you want to reach intown Atlanta (Downtown, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward)?
• Or commuters from Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton, or DeKalb coming into the city?
• Which highways or streets do your customers most likely use?

Narrowing your focus from “somewhere in Atlanta” to “I‑75 northbound entering Midtown” or “I‑20 near Westview” will make quotes more meaningful.

2. Decide on Static vs. Digital

Consider:

• Static if:

  • You want a big, always‑on presence.
  • Your message won’t need frequent changes.
  • You want to maximize size and visibility for the price.

• Digital if:

  • You want to rotate messages or run time‑of‑day campaigns.
  • You’re okay sharing the screen with other advertisers.
  • You want shorter test runs or highly flexible campaigns.

3. Set a Timeframe

Think in terms of:

• Test period: 1–2 months for initial learning.
• Campaign period: 3–6 months for brand building.
• Ongoing presence: 6–12+ months in a key location.

As you lengthen the term, ask each vendor if they offer discounted or fixed rates for longer commitments.

4. Get Multiple Quotes

You can contact several out-of-home (OOH) advertising companies that operate in Atlanta and ask:

• What locations are available in your target area.
• Cost per 4 weeks.
• Estimated traffic counts or impressions.
• Any production, installation, or creative fees.

Request photos or maps of the boards to see:

• How clear the view is.
• What direction traffic travels.
• Nearby landmarks that may matter to your audience.

Ways to Control Costs While Advertising on Billboards in Atlanta

If the first quotes you hear feel high, there are still ways to work within a smaller budget:

• Look slightly outside the core
  Boards just beyond the most in‑demand segments of I‑285, or on large surface streets like Memorial Drive, Buford Highway, or Metropolitan Parkway, can be more affordable while still reaching a lot of people.

• Choose shorter campaigns or off‑peak timing
  Some vendors discount:

  • Less popular seasons (depending on demand).
  • Locations that have just become available and need to be filled quickly.

• Share a digital slot
  Instead of a full static face, use a digital billboard and buy a limited rotation. You may run less frequently, but still gain exposure in a premium area.

• Simplify your creative
  Clear, simple designs often perform better and cost less to produce. Stick to:

  • Short messages.
  • High contrast colors.
  • One main call to action (e.g., phone number, website, or exit number).

When a Billboard Makes Sense in Atlanta

Billboards can be a strong fit in Atlanta when:

• You serve a specific corridor, such as:
  • Businesses near a particular interstate exit.
  • Restaurants, hotels, or entertainment destinations.
• You want ongoing brand visibility in a crowded market.
• Your audience spends a lot of time commuting by car, which is common in metro Atlanta.
• You’re promoting:
  • A large event at a venue like Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, or Atlanta Symphony Hall.
  • A new location opening or a big seasonal push.

They are often one part of a broader marketing mix that might also include digital ads, social media, and local sponsorships.

By understanding location, format, timing, and production, most advertisers in Atlanta can find a billboard option that fits their goals. For many, realistic costs start around $1,500–$4,000 per 4 weeks in moderate‑traffic areas, and climb into the five‑figure range for high‑demand digital and highway locations in and around Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead.