The amount of money an American spends on their internet service each month varies greatly based on where they live, connection type, and location. Aside from connection type and location, other features including data caps, and download speeds can affect how much you pay for the internet. This is why you need to purchase a lot of things when you’re signing up for an internet plan.
Let’s go over how much internet service costs. This guide will help you decide whether or not you’re getting a good deal.Â
How Much Does Internet Cost Per Month?
We’ve compared internet prices of the top internet service providers across the country and the average internet plan costs $72.09 per month.Â
| Provider | Monthly Price | Download Speeds | Upload Speeds | Data Cap | Connection Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity Internet | $19.99-$120 | 245-245 MBPS | 10-35 MBPS | 1,200 MBPS | Cable/Fiber |
| T-Mobile 5G Home Internet | $50-$50 | 30-1,000 MBPS | 31-31 MBPS | Unlimited | Fixed Wireless |
| Spectrum Internet | $19.99-$89.99 | 300-500 MBPS | 4-35 MBPS | Unlimited | Cable |
| AT&T Fiber | $55-$250 | 300-2,300 MBPS | 300-5,000 MBPS | Unlimited | Fiber |
| Viasat Internet | $69.99-$299.99 | 12-100 MBPS | 3-3 MBPS | Unlimited | Fiber |
| Verizon FiOS Home Internet | $49.99-$89.99 | 100-940 MBPS | 10-2,300 MBPS | Unlimited | Satellite |
| CenturyLink Internet | $50-$75 | 100-940 MBPS | 10-940 | Unlimited | DSL/Fiber |
| Cox Internet | $9.95-$149.99 | 100-2,000 MBPS | 5-1,000 | 1,280 | Cable |
If $72.09 per month seems too much, then it’s not just you. The average cost for internet was just $57 per month in December 2022. Unfortunately, the price has gone up significantly, and so has the average speed.
But most people don’t need the fast speeds. If you just want something with average speed, you may be able to save some cash.
For instance, both fixed wireless and 5G plans are slower than average, but they cost much less. You may be able to get decent speeds for $50 per month. Unfortunately, fixed wireless and 5G internet services aren’t available everywhere.
Going for a cable or DSL plan instead of a fiber internet service can help you save a lot of money every month. But if you’re looking to cut costs, you shouldn’t choose a service that’s just going to end up frustrating you over time. DSL internet service is really poor and you may get frustratingly slow speeds at times. Moreover, DSL is becoming less and less available by the day.
| Connection Type | Average Monthly Cost | Download Speed Range |
|---|---|---|
| Cable | $85.28 | 3-500 MBPS |
| Fiber | $98.12 | 300 – 8,000 MBPS |
| 5G | $51.83 | 72-940 MBPS |
| Fixed Wireless | $51.05 | 3-500MBPS |
| DSL | $64.99 | Up to 2,000 MBPS |
| Satellite | $81.24 | 15-100 MBPS |
| All connection types | $72.09 | 88-2,840 MBPS |
What is the Average Monthly Cost of WiFi?
While WiFi comes for free with all internet service providers. However, some other providers charge extra for WiFi-enabled modems and routers. Usually, the average WiFi cost for this is $5-$15 a month.Â
You could cut the cost by choosing to use an Ethernet cable to connect to the internet. However, you’d still need a modem and router to use your internet connection.
If you prefer to skip the equipment rental, you can buy your modem and router very cheaply. These can cost up to $50-$200, depending on the features you’re looking for.Â
How Much Does Cable Internet Cost?
The average cost for cable internet service per month is $85.28 per month if you choose to go with the top cable internet provider in the country.
Once cable internet was considered to be a luxury, it has become a go-to internet option for most. It’s a fast service, but it’s not as expensive as other internet types.
| Provider | Monthly Price Range | Download Speed Range |
|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Internet | $19.99-$89.99 | 30-1,000 MBPS |
| Buckeye Internet | $39.99-$89.99 | 200-1,000 MBPS |
| Cox Internet | $9.95-$149.99 | 100-2,000 MBPS |
| Astound Broadband powered by Grande | $25-$60 | 300-1,500 MBPS |
| Mediacom Internet | $34.99-$54.99 | 100-1,000 MBPS |
| Optimum Internet | $30-$265 | 300-8,000 MBPS |
| Astound Broadband powered by RCN | $25-$60 | 300-1,500 MBPS |
| Sparklight Internet | $25-$115 | 50-940 MBPS |
| Wow Internet | $30-$185 | 100-5,000 MBPS |
| Xfinity Internet | $19.99-$120 | 75-2,000 MBPS |
Most of the cable internet plans cost $100 or less, but there are some exceptions. Cox, Sparklight, and Spectrum all offer gig plans with steep monthly prices over $100.
How Much Does Fiber Internet Cost?
The best fiber internet plans cost an average of $98.12 per month. That’s more than most people are willing to pay, for any type of internet plan. Let’s break down some of the top US fiber internet providers’s price ranges:
| Provider | Monthly Price Range | Download Speed Range |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber | $55-$250 | 300-5,000 MBPS |
| CenturyLink Internet | $50-$75 | 100-940 MBPS |
| EarthLink Internet | $49.95-$189.95 | 10-5,000 MBPS |
| Frontier Fiber Internet | $39.99-$154.99 | 500-5,000 MBPS |
| Google Fiber | $70-$150 | 1,000-8,000 MBPS |
| Astound Broadband Powered by Grande | $25-$60 | 300-1,500 MBPS |
| MetroNet | $29.95-$69.99 | 100-1,000 MBPS |
| Optimum Internet | $30-$365 | 300-8,000 MBPS |
| Verizon FiOS Home Internet | $49.99-$89.99 | 300-2,300 MBPS |
| Windstream Internet | $39.99-$169.99 | 100-2,000 MBPS |
| Xfinity Internet | $19.99-$169.99 | 75-2,000 MBPS |
| Ziply Fiber | $10-$300 | 100-10,000 MBPS |
Regardless of how costly fiber internet service is, if you want fast download speeds and upload speeds that can enhance your experience, fiber internet is the best option. If you have a family full of high internet appetite, then fiber internet is the way to go.
How Much Does 5G Internet Cost?
Our list of the top 5G providers comes in at $51.83 per month on average. That offers a pretty good deal. Even though 5G internet speed starts at 72 MBPS. This speed is average at best, but it’s not nothing. If speed matters the most to you, more than price, then 5G may not be for you.
If you’re in a rural area, then we recommend that you go with 5G internet. If you can manage with average speeds for a lower price, then 5G internet service may be the best option for you.Â
| Provider | Monthly Price Range | Download Speed Range |
|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile 5G Home Internet | $50-$50 | 245-245 MBPS |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet | $35-$70 | 300-1,000 MBPS |
| AT&T Internet Air | $55-$55 | 140-140 MBPS |
How Much Does Fixed Wireless Cost?
Fixed wireless as the name suggests, is a fixed wireless service that is super affordable. The average cost for fixed wireless providers comes down to $51.05.
But, you won’t be able to get blazing-fast speeds with Fixed Wireless internet. Surprisingly enough some providers do offer speeds up to gig speeds.
Here’s how much the fixed wireless costs:
| Provider | Monthly Price Range | Download Speed Range |
|---|---|---|
| Rise Broadband | $49.95-$65 | 25-250 MBPS |
| T-Mobile 5G Home Internet | $50-$50 | 245-245 MBPS |
| Verizon LTE Home | $60-$60 | 50-50 MBPS |
| Zentro | $29.00-$59.00 | 25-1,000 MBPS |
| AT&T Fixed Wireless | $59.99-$59.99 | 25-25 MBPS |
How Much Does DSL Internet Cost?
The average monthly internet bill for DSL internet comes down to $64.99 per month. As DSL becomes more and more old, the cost is increasing as providers upgrade their networks.
Here’s a breakdown of DSL internet providers and how much they cost:
| Provider | Monthly price range | Download speed range |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T Internet | $55 | Up to 140 MBPS |
| CenturyLink Internet | $50 | 100 MBPS |
| EarthLink Internet | $49.95 | 10 MBPS |
| EarthLink Internet | $59.95 | 45 MBPS |
| EarthLink Internet | $69.95 | 60 MBPS |
| EarthLink Internet | $69.95 | 80 MBPS |
| EarthLink Internet | $64.95 | 75 MBPS |
| Frontier High-Speed Internet | $64.99 | 0-0 MBPS |
| Kinetic Internet by Windstream Up to 100 MBPS | $39.99 | Up to 100 MBPS |
| Kinetic Internet by Windstream Up to 500 MBPS | $39.99 | Up To 500 MBPS |
| Verizon High-Speed Internet | $25.00 | 0.5-1 MBPS |
| Verizon High-Speed Internet | $0-$0 | 1.1-3 MBPS |
| Verizon High-Speed Internet | $0-$0 | 3.1-7 MBPS |
| Verizon High-Speed Internet | $70.00 | 7.1-15 MBPS |
What Things Could Affect Your Internet Bill?
Aside from just the monthly fees, some other things can affect how much you pay for internet each month. Here are some factors you should consider while finalizing a provider:
Download Speed
Download speed plays a direct role in your fees. The more download speed you want, the higher you’ll have to pay. And if you have multiple devices connected to the internet in your home, then you’d need a higher download speed.
Internet connection type
Another factor that often affects your monthly internet package is the type of internet connection you choose. The cost of fiber and satellite plans is the highest as it is hard to maintain those networks and launch those networks.
Promotional deals
Promotional offers can help you snag a deal that cuts down your cost significantly. Almost all internet service providers offer promotional deals that reduce your price which lasts for a short while. Mostly the promotional price lasts up to 1 year.Â
On the other hand, once the promotional period is over, the price will go up. So, better be ready for a sudden price hike.
Once your promotional period is over, you’ll be paying the “standard” price for the plan. On average, the difference between the promo price between the promo offer and the standard price can be anywhere between $10-$20 per month.
Price hikes
Sometimes your provider will raise the price of the internet without any prior notification. It has happened to most of us and it will keep on happening due to inflating economy.
The only way to know beforehand if this can happen with you is by reading your service agreement carefully to see if your provider allows this.
Where you live
Most ISPs offer their service throughout the country, but the price isn’t uniform. Almost all the providers have different prices for each region. Let’s take Xfinity for example, they have different prices for all regions of the US.
Even if you can’t get service from a provider that breaks down prices by location, you’re likely to see price differences if you compare with someone who lives on the other end of the country. Some ISPs even have different pricing for people living on opposite ends of a street.
Make sure you compare pricing for all the prospective providers in your area.
Summing Up – How Much Does Internet Cost?
If you’re paying $60-$65 each month for internet, then you’re on the right track. Most of the US pays around the same price for internet each month.
Based on your internet usage, type of internet connection, download speeds, and some other factors, you may be getting a steal. If you’re paying more for gig speeds compared to your elderly neighbor who just needs 100 MBPS for Facebook and emails, you’re not overpaying. You’re just paying for what you’re getting from the provider.