It is not expensive, unfortunately :(

Flare + BleepingComputer 2026, Kaspersky, StormWall, and others show that the DDoS-as-a-service market is highly commoditized and prices are extremely low:

A short test / basic attack on a website: $5–25.

Daily attack on a poorly protected target: around $100/day.

A more robust or well-protected target: $200–500 per day.

Monthly subscription to booter/stresser services: often $15–40 (sometimes even less); premium packages cost hundreds of dollars.

Larger or longer-term campaigns or infrastructure: thousands of dollars.

On the governmental level these money are almost nothing if you want to hurt someone else…