Proprietary Data Journalism
The 2026 US Internet Affordability Index
An analysis of over 42,700 localized internet markets across the United States reveals a widening gap in regional infrastructure and connectivity pricing. We aggregated over 100,000 distinct internet plans to determine the most and least affordable states for high-speed broadband.
Top 5 Most Affordable States
Rhode Island$43.32
Oregon$45.01
Washington$45.16
Maine$46.12
Wyoming$46.25
Top 5 Most Expensive States
Nevada$74.85
Arizona$71.92
Minnesota$66.00
Complete State Rankings
| Rank | State | Average Plan Price | Total ISPs Analyzed | Max Speed (Mbps) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Rhode Island | $43.32/mo | 1 Providers | 1,500 Mbps |
| #2 | Oregon | $45.01/mo | 3 Providers | 1,500 Mbps |
| #3 | Washington | $45.16/mo | 3 Providers | 1,500 Mbps |
| #4 | Maine | $46.12/mo | 3 Providers | 7,000 Mbps |
| #5 | Wyoming | $46.25/mo | 2 Providers | 1,000 Mbps |
| #6 | Nebraska | $46.28/mo | 2 Providers | 1,000 Mbps |
Reporter Resources: Suggested Angles
- The Digital Divide: Why Nevada residents are paying exponentially more for broadband than Rhode Island.
- Cost vs. Speed: Are the most expensive states actually getting faster internet speeds?
- The 2026 Affordability Crisis: Analyzing the average cost of home internet across all 50 states.
Methodology: Data is mathematically sourced from the City Broadband Guide proprietary database, consisting of localized coverage points across 42,700+ US Zip Codes. Pricing reflects the average advertised monthly rate for broadband services across all available speed tiers, excluding promotional expiration spikes where dynamic data is unavailable.
For press inquiries or to request raw localized data for your reporting, please contact press@citybroadbandguide.com.
For press inquiries or to request raw localized data for your reporting, please contact press@citybroadbandguide.com.