How Much Does Radio Advertising Cost in 2026?

Quick answer: Radio spot prices vary widely by market size, station, time of day, and how many spots you buy — a single local :30 can run from a few dollars in a small market to much more in a big one. Most small businesses buy a weekly package; a jingle is a separate one-time production cost that makes every spot work harder.

How radio pricing works

You're buying spots — individual airings — usually sold in weekly packages. Price per spot depends on the station's audience, the market size, the daypart (drive-time costs more), and how many you buy (more spots, better rate).

Typical local ranges

In small and mid-size markets, local :30s are often quite affordable per spot, and stations bundle weekly packages for small businesses. The bigger the market, the higher the rate. Ask a couple of local stations for their small-business packages to get real numbers for your area.

Production is separate from airtime

The spot buy is airtime. The creative — the ad itself — is a separate cost. A plain read might be free from the station; a custom jingle is a one-time production that you own and run across all your airtime.

Where the jingle fits

Think of the jingle as the thing that makes the airtime pay off. A memorable jingle turns the same weekly spend into recall that compounds — so the production cost is spread across every spot you'll ever run.

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Frequently asked

How much does a radio ad cost?

Airtime varies a lot by market and station — ask local stations for small-business packages. Production (the ad itself) is separate; a custom jingle from Hooked is $999, one-time, yours to own.

Is radio cheaper than online ads?

Often, per person reached — and a jingle makes it stickier. Radio still reaches most U.S. adults monthly.

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