A new study from HighSpeedInternet.com shows a drastic price variation by location — a 114% average price difference — between the least and most expensive states for the internet. And consumers in states that pay higher internet prices actually get slower average speeds.
The analysis found that internet access is “the most expensive for what you get” in Alaska, Montana, and West Virginia. Internet access is “cheapest for what you get” along the Eastern Seaboard and in more heavily populated states.
“In other words,” the study says, “you can get fast internet for a great bargain if you live in one of our top 10 cheapest states, but you’ll probably have to pay a lot for slower speeds if you live in the 10 most expensive states,” wrote Chili Palmer for HighSpeedInternet.com.
The internet price study determined that Connecticut residents get a bargain, paying an average of $0.61 per Mbps — meaning they get fast speeds at a lower cost. Conversely, Alaska residents are paying an average of $2.92 per Mbps.
According to the study, the top 10 most expensive states for internet, based on price per Mbps, are:
- Alaska – $2.92 per Mbps
- Montana – $2.63 per Mbps
- West Virginia – $1.88 per Mbps
- District of Columbia – $1.72 per Mbps
- Vermont – $1.36 per Mbps
- Idaho – $1.27 per Mbps
- Arkansas – $1.27 per Mbps
- Iowa – $1.22 per Mbps
- New Mexico – $1.16 per Mbps
- Oklahoma – $1.14 per Mbps
Seven out of 10 of the states listed here also dot a list of the 10 states set to receive the most BEAD funding per resident. More than 60% of BEAD funds will go towards states that have greater rural populations (10% or more rural population), due to their greater need for reliable internet infrastructure.
The biggest finding in the HighSpeedInternet.com study was that consumers in rural areas may pay higher prices for “decent” internet speeds than they would if they lived in a more urban area.
No. 1-ranked Connecticut — the sixth most heavily populated state — boasts some of the fastest speeds in the study’s data set, with an average of 119 Mbps. But No. 2-ranked North Dakota — 49th in population per square mile — has speeds below the FCC recommended target of 100 Mbps for broadband. North Dakota residents who were surveyed, however, had an average actual spend on internet service of $56.42 per month, despite the average advertised rate being $70.03. The internet price study identified other outliers, as well.
The data showed that the average speed in the most affordable states for internet is 104.25 Mbps, and the average cost is $74 per month. The average speed in the most expensive states for internet is 56.45 Mbps and the average cost is $88 per month.
Overall, the study said the price of internet for the average U.S. household each month is approximately $75. The median download speed for residential internet is 85.45 Mbps.
