Website Hosting: What Amount Should You Budget?
Short answer: shared hosting typically costs about $3 to $15 per month. Managed WordPress and VPS plans cost more, and simple static sites can be hosted free.
Typical hosting prices
| Hosting type | Typical monthly cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Free static hosting | $0 | Simple sites, portfolios, blogs built as static pages |
| Shared hosting | $3 - $15 | Small WordPress sites and beginners |
| Managed WordPress | $10 - $40+ | Sites that need speed and support |
| VPS | $5 - $40+ | Custom setups, more control |
| Dedicated server | $80+ | High-traffic or specialized sites |
The renewal-price trap
Introductory prices often require a 1 to 3 year prepayment and renew at a noticeably higher rate. Compare the renewal price, not the headline price.
Costs people forget
- Domain name (separate, see our domain guide)
- Email hosting
- Backups and security add-ons
- Premium themes or plugins
How to choose
If your site is mostly text and images, a static site on free hosting is the cheapest path. If you need a CMS like WordPress, start with shared or managed WordPress and upgrade only when traffic requires it.
Disclosure: some links on this site may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. See the full disclosure. Prices are typical ranges as of October 2026 and change often, so confirm current pricing with the provider before buying.