Breaking down monthly internet cost from basic to high-speed
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How much does internet cost per month?
The average cost of an internet plan is $40–$80, before equipment fees, taxes and surcharges, based on our analysis of over two dozen of the most popular internet providers. The average Wi-Fi cost in your area varies due to fluctuations in the market.
Here are other useful data points about the average internet costs in the U.S. to help you answer the question, “How much is Wi-Fi per month?”
- Cheap internet plans cost between $10–$50.
- The average internet cost starts at $40–$60 before fees. Plans in this price range have an average internet speed between 200–500 Mbps.
- Gigabit speeds cost $80–$120.
- Multi-gig speeds cost up to $300.
- The average price of equipment rental (modem and router) is $10–$15/mo.
- The average cost of professional installation is $100.
What does high-performance internet cost?
Residential and business internet with high-performance speeds of 1 GB or more costs $45/mo. or more. Premium internet is typically a fiber-optic connection. Fiber internet is regarded as the best technology type because it offers:
- A dedicated connection that virtually eliminates latency and the need for internet throttling.
- Symmetrical upload and download speeds.
- Consistent speeds that are unaffected by network congestion or inclement weather.
Besides fiber, cable internet is another high-performance internet connection with speeds of up to 1 GB in many areas. Spectrum, Xfinity and Cox are a few cable ISPs offering high-speed plans with internet prices that range between $49.99 and $299.95/mo.
Compare high-performance internet service providers
The following table lists several of the best internet providers with broad coverage areas and internet deals across the U.S.
| Provider | Price range* | Speed range | Tech type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T♱ | $55–$245/mo. | 300–5,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| CenturyLink*** | $55–$75/mo. | 100–940 Mbps | Fiber |
| Cox | $35–$149.99/mo. | 100–2,000 Mbps | Cable, fiber |
| Frontier | $29.99–$154.99/mo. | 200–5,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Optimum | $40–$280/mo. | 300–8,000 Mbps | Cable, fiber |
| Spectrum Internet®♱♱ | $30–$70/mo. | 100–1,000 | Cable |
| Verizon Fios | $34.99**–$119.99/mo. | 300–2,300 Mbps | Fiber |
| Kinetic by Windstream | $39.99–$299/mo. | 100–8,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Xfinity | $9.95–$299.95/mo. | 50–6,000 Mbps | Cable, fiber |
Disclaimers
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Price may include autopay and paperless billing discounts. Speeds may vary.
**When bundled with a qualifying mobile plan.
***Limited availability. Service and rate in select locations only. Paperless billing required. Taxes and fees apply. Rate excludes CTL Fee not to exceed $1.50/mo./line.
♱Price after $10/mo discount with eligible Autopay & Paperless bill (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install chrg may apply. See offer details. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For 5GIG, single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101. As of 03/20/25.
♱♱Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET: Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Capable modem required for all Gig speeds. For a list of capable modems, visit Spectrum.net/modem. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2025 Charter Communications, all rights reserved.
What does cheaper internet cost?
Cheap internet costs between $9.95–$50/mo. Common ways to get cheaper Wi-Fi include switching providers or technology types, modifying your internet speed and more. Try these various ways to get cheaper internet prices:
- Get a lower internet speed. An introductory rate with a lower speed (200 Mbps or less) can cost $10–$20/mo. less than speeds of 300 Mbps and up. Providers such as Cox, Frontier, Kinetic by Windstream and Xfinity offer lower average internet speeds at a reduced rate.
- Provide your own equipment. Buying your own router or modem can eliminate monthly equipment rental costs and save you nearly $200 per year.
- Self-installation. Setting up your internet yourself doesn’t have to be overly complicated and can save you $100 or more on professional installation fees.
- Get a different type of internet. Choosing an alternative technology type can save you money on internet prices. For example, if you are paying over $60/mo. for standalone cable or fiber internet, try switching to T-Mobile 5G or Verizon 5G, especially if you use either of these providers for wireless service. By bundling your 5G home internet and wireless plans on one bill, you can save $10–$35/mo.
- Check if you qualify for reduced-price internet. Often, cheap or free internet plans require certain qualifications, such as being enrolled in SNAP or the National School Lunch Program. Internet plans for seniors also have lower average costs versus standard rates.
Cheaper internet near you
| Provider | Price range* | Speed range | Tech type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | $9.95–$35/mo. | 50–600 Mbps | Cable |
| WOW! | $19.99–$39.99 | 100–500 Mbps | Cable |
| Mediacom | $19.99–$49.99 | 100–600 Mbps | Cable |
| T-Mobile 5G | $35**–$50/mo. | 87–415 Mbps | 5G |
| Verizon 5G Home | $35–$55/mo.** | 85–1,000 Mbps | 5G |
Disclaimers
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Price may include autopay and paperless billing discounts. Speeds may vary.
**When bundled with a qualifying mobile plan.
What else can factor into your internet bill?
Unfortunately, internet prices don’t stay the same forever. The following factors may affect the average internet cost in your area.
Introductory or promotional rates
Many internet providers, like Spectrum or Xfinity, have a price guarantee for 12–24 months, followed by a rate increase. Other providers, like AT&T, don’t have scheduled price increases but will occasionally raise rates.
Hidden fees
Price increases on monthly equipment rental fees can inch the cost of your internet bill up over time. Some ISPs have regional taxes or specialty fees that are not included in the advertised monthly internet cost, such as:
- Internet infrastructure fees
- Technical assistance fees
- Security/Antivirus/Malware protection fees
- Broadcast fees (if you bundle with TV)
Availability
The amount of ISP competition will impact pricing. More competition means more options to switch providers, which typically drives down Wi-Fi costs and helps you save money on internet.
Internet speeds
The available speeds near you influence the internet cost. Slower speeds tend to be less expensive when there are faster speeds available. In areas with only limited speeds, prices tend to be the same (or more) due to the lack of competition. Find out what internet speed you currently have by running one or more of the best speed tests.
Technology type
The type of internet connection plays into the overall value. Fiber internet is usually slightly more costly than cable or 5G. Satellite internet is more expensive because the infrastructure and equipment cost more.
Internet costs FAQs
What is a normal price to pay for internet?
An average price range for internet is between $40–$60/mo. for speeds of 1 GB or less.
How much does the average person spend on internet?
The average person spends around $50/mo. on their internet bill before taxes and fees. With equipment and other charges, the cost can increase to $60–$75/mo.
How much does internet cost in an apartment?
5G internet is a good choice for apartments because the Wi-Fi service covers a smaller area and the plans are less expensive when bundled with a wireless plan. T-Mobile 5G and Verizon 5G have good internet deals for apartments that start at $35/mo. when bundled with a qualifying wireless plan.
This content is produced through an alliance between USA TODAY and Allconnect.com. Under the alliance, Allconnect publishes articles about broadband-related topics upholding strict editorial integrity standards in line with USA TODAY’s Principles of Ethical Conduct. The opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed are those of the Allconnect editorial staff alone. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Read more about our Allconnect Advertising Disclosure.
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