How Much Should I Be Paying for High-Speed Internet?

The market for home internet is hotter than ever, and the increase in options nationwide has driven prices down across the board. This year, look for internet plans with speeds of about 300Mbps for closer to $50 per month.

Most providers now include Wi-Fi equipment for free, and some even cover taxes and fees in the advertised price (three cheers for you, Verizon). However, some still charge for equipment rental or Wi-Fi access, and you may encounter additional taxes, pass-through fees, and infrastructure fees.

What you can get depends entirely on your address, but we always recommend shopping for options before you commit.

How much does internet service cost per month?

Internet costs vary based on where you live and the type of service you have. That said, average prices on most types of home internet decreased this year, with big drops in the average price for cable internet, fiber internet, and satellite internet.

The average price for 5G home internet is higher this year, but it’s not because providers have stopped offering affordable plans. Instead, AT&T now offers 5G home internet nationwide, and Verizon has started offering new, faster tiers. For customers, that’s a win!

When we compared our complete pricing database from a year ago to our database now, here’s what we found:

• DSL: $56 per month (down from $60 per month)
• 5G home internet: $79.85 per month (up from $67 per month in 2025)
• Cable internet: $50 per month (down from $59 per month)
• Fiber internet: $58 per month (down from $85 per month)
• Satellite internet: $95 per month (down from $121 per month)
• All advertised internet plans in the U.S.: $61.50 per month (down from $77 per month)

For both datasets, we excluded prices for plans faster than a gigabit. We looked at advertised service plan prices, but excluded extra fees for things like equipment rental or how prices may change after promotional periods end. We also excluded taxes, which can vary from one neighborhood to another.

Are there easy ways to pay less for home internet?

There are a lot of things you can do to get a great internet deal. You just have to be resourceful.

Get our complete list of ways to save, or read below for ideas and potential savings.

	Look for a provider that offers internet deals for less than $50 a month. Potential savings: $200–$600 annually.
	Get an internet plan with no annual contract and no data caps. Then you don’t have to pay early termination fees or overage fees. Potential savings: $10–$120 annually.
	Look for internet deals such as rewards cards and waivers on extra fees. Potential savings: $50–$100.
	Buy your own equipment such as a modem and router or gateway to avoid paying a rental fee from your provider. Potential savings: $120–$180 annually.
	Downgrade to a slower internet speed. There’s no point in paying for bandwidth you don’t use. Potential savings: $200–$600 annually.
	Use a public Wi-Fi hotspot at a library or public park to avoid paying a monthly bill altogether. Potential savings: $600 or more annually.

Why is your internet price so high?

Here’s a quick rundown of factors that influence internet prices:

• Internet speed: Faster internet usually costs more. We recommend at least 300Mbps for most families, but few households need more than 1,000Mbps.
• Local competition: If you have a lot of options for internet service at your address, your prices may be lower than in areas with only one or two options.
• Internet connection type: It costs a lot to build and maintain infrastructure like fiber-optic cables and 5G towers, and some of these costs get passed on to customers in the form of monthly service charges or fees.
• Taxpayer funding: You and your fellow taxpayers are helping to pay for new internet infrastructure through initiatives such as the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program (BEAD), whether you like it or not. Counterintuitively, this may mean DSL or cable plans are more expensive than fiber or 5G plans.

Here are a few ways your monthly bill might be higher than you expected:

• Installation or startup costs: These can run $100 or more, and may be tacked onto your first bill. Many companies waive them if you order online, so try to complete checkout in a browser before you call in.
• Wi-Fi or equipment charges: You may be charged $20 or more per month to rent Wi-Fi equipment or use access Wi-Fi, but you can usually get out of it by buying your own equipment.
• Taxes and extra fees: Some internet plans include extra fees on top of the service fee, and most providers add local or municipal taxes.
• Price hikes: Some plans look cheap because they start with low introductory prices, but watch out for price hikes that kick in after a year of service. Price locks are your best defense.

If your internet price is higher than you expected, you don’t have to live with it! Get tips on calling in to negotiate a lower price.

If you can’t make a deal you love, it might be time to choose a new provider. There’s a good chance your old cable monopoly isn’t the only game in town anymore.

What if you still can’t afford your bill?

Many of the internet providers we cover offer free and low-cost internet plans to homes in need. You may also qualify for the federal Lifeline program, which pays $9.25 per month toward qualifying mobile phone or broadband plans for certain low-income households (more in Tribal areas).

Your state or local government could also have ways to help. Type “internet assistance” and the name of your state in a search engine. In most states, you’ll find an office of broadband or an assistance agency.

If that doesn’t work, visit your local public library. You might be able to check out a hotspot or laptop to connect temporarily, and there’s a good chance your librarian will be trained in helping you access local public assistance.

My take: Shop carefully and keep an eye on your monthly bill

Everyone should have access to high-speed internet, and paying for it shouldn’t mean skimping on groceries or gas money. That’s why I am delighted to report that average prices for internet connectivity are dropping.

It’s good news, but don’t let down your guard completely. Internet service may feel like a utility, but it’s up to you to keep your price as low as possible.

Start by shopping a few times a year, even if you live in a rural area. All the best deals go to new customers. Then, keep an eye on your checking account and your provider’s billing app. Even if your provider has promised to lock your price for three or five years, it could start adding fees for equipment rental or increasing pass-through fees for things like infrastructure at any time.

FAQ about the cost of home internet

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