It's much easier and cheaper than you think to start your own server on Mastodon and the Fediverse.
Non-technical people can use a "Managed Hosting" service, where the hosting company does all the technical stuff for you, including setting up, upgrades and fixing things.
I run a website all about creating your own servers through managed hosting at:
➡️ https://growyourown.services
This section is all about making your own Fediverse servers:
➡️ https://growyourown.services/grow-your-own-social-network/