'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
Internet is as essential nowadays as water, electricity, and gas. But figuring out your options or how much your internet should cost per month is not easy. A recent survey by Verizon shows that more than 51 million Americans don't know what they pay for home internet. Those who do estimate paying upwards of $137 per month. To help you better understand the cost of high-speed internet, let's break down what's available, the average price that you should be paying, and how you can save on your monthly costs.
Also: These states pay the most for the worst internet
The FCC defines high-speed internet, also known as broadband, as internet that's always on and is faster than the average dial-up connection.
High-speed Internet Type | Speed | Average Price Per Month |
Cable | 10-200 Mbps | $58 |
DSL | 1-80 Mbps | $43 |
Fiber | 30-100 Mbps | $56 |
Satellite | 12-25 Mbps | $91 |
High-speed internet providers
High-speed Internet Provider | Speed | Cost Per Month |
Spectrum | 100-940 Mbps | $49.99-$99.99 |
AT&T | 100-940 Mbps | $55-$80 |
Google Fiber | 100-1,000 Mbps | $60-$70 |
Verizon Fios | 200-940 Mbps | $39.99-$89.99 |
For those wondering how much internet costs most people these days, Americans pay an average price of $64 per month in 2022. According to a broadband study by OpenVault, the average American household used around 435 gigabytes of data per month in 2021.
There are four main types of high-speed internet:
The internet can be costly, both to purchase and to run. Even so, as the numbers above demonstrate, high-speed internet has become an integral part of U.S. life, quickly becoming a necessity of the modern world.
Which internet provider is best for you is going to depend on certain contextual factors. Ask yourself: What do you plan to use the internet for? How many devices do you plan to have simultaneously connected to it? How many people are likely to be using your network regularly? What deals and promotions are offered in your area? Although it can be frustrating, the more choices you have to make, the more opportunity you have to assemble the best deals. If these questions feel overwhelming, don't worry, below is a step-by-step walkthrough of how to choose the best internet service for you.
More: Best internet service providers for homes and businesses
Internet pricing can sometimes surprise you, especially when you consider all of the different costs that might get factored into your bill. Below are some common features and add-ons that might up your internet bill.
Every internet provider has a disclaimer posted along with their service plans. This disclaimer lets potential customers know that plans, speeds, and prices may vary by location. While this can be frustrating, it is primarily due to the nature of the American telecommunication infrastructure. In general, the more urban and densely populated an area, the more internet service options there will be. For an in-depth look at what is available in your area, take a look at our review of the best internet providers.
Average monthly internet bills in the United States are expected to be $64 in 2022 but this can vary greatly depending on location, plan, and provider. The primary difference between regular internet and Wi-Fi is a piece of equipment called a router. Most providers rent routers to their customers for $5-$10 per month. To figure out your Wi-Fi cost per month, add the cost of a router to the cost of your internet plan.
Unless a plan offers certain premium features that you are pursuing, such as top speeds and unlimited data, try to keep the cost of high-speed internet below $52 on cable, $50 on DSL, $59 on fiber, or $123 on satellite. Following this guideline will keep you from paying above average for your internet type. Americans are expected to pay $64 per month for their average cost of internet in 2022.
Despite relying on some of the newest technology, Verizon Fios is the most affordable provider out of the ones reviewed. The cheapest Fios plan doesn't deliver speeds beyond what cable internet can achieve, but it is cheaper.