If you've been with the same internet provider for a while, it probably seems like it gets more expensive by the year. That's not wrong: 63% of adults are paying $195 more on average for internet than they did last year, and high prices are the no. 1 reason people choose not to have a home internet connection at all.
I analyzed over 150 plans from the country's biggest internet providers to figure out what the typical cost of internet is in the US, and I found that the median price is $63 per month for all speeds available -- with autopay discounts applied. That price doesn’t include the cost to rent equipment, which, on average, adds another $15 to your monthly bill. So the actual total comes to around $78 per month for home internet -- which is below the $89 monthly that US News & World Report found when it surveyed approximately 2,500 people in 2024.
That's a large expenditure, to be sure -- especially when you factor in price increases that many internet service providers build into their plans -- but the price for broadband has risen more slowly than overall inflation. According to an FCC analysis, the inflation-adjusted price for the internet declined by 19% between 2009 and 2023.
Locating local internet providers
To find out the real cost of internet service in the US, I turned to CNET’s database of ISPs, which is updated regularly by inputting addresses around the country for 35 of the largest providers.
There's an enormous range of prices available. Astound, Mediacom, Xfinity and Ziply Fiber all offer plans starting at just $15 to $20 monthly. Ziply also has the most expensive (and fastest) internet plan in the country by a mile: $900 a month for an absurdly over-the-top 50Gbps plan.
Locating local internet providers
For many people, $78 per month probably sounds like a pretty good deal -- and you should consider this a wake-up call if you're paying significantly more than that. You can take steps to lower your costs, like negotiating your bill, purchasing your own equipment or downgrading to a cheaper plan. But the best option might be to switch providers altogether or find a low-income internet plan. There are also newer technologies like 5G home internet, which tends to be a bit cheaper and usually includes equipment in your total cost. If you haven’t evaluated your options in a while, you might be surprised to find some new internet providers on the block.
Internet cost by connection type
How much you pay for internet is heavily impacted by the connection type you're using. This analysis confirms what many rural internet customers have known for years: Rural providers are the most expensive, with the slowest connections too.
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