As Americans rely on home internet for work, school, healthcare and entertainment, the value of that connection matters more than ever. Recent data shows consumers continue to get more from their broadband service, with faster speeds, greater reliability and lower prices than in years past. Continued private investment and innovation have helped improve network performance while keeping home internet an affordable essential service.
48.6%
Average decline in real broadband prices since 2020
Across every broadband speed tier, real prices fell 48.6% on average between 2020 and 2026 while speeds continued to climb. The findings underscore that consumers are receiving significantly more broadband performance for every dollar they spend.
145%
Increase in average download speeds
Average download speeds for the most popular broadband plans have increased 145% since 2014, while average upload speeds have risen roughly 95% over the same period. Providers have continued expanding network capacity to support more connected devices and data-intensive online activities.
600 GB
Average monthly household internet usage
The average U.S. household now uses more than 600 gigabytes of data each month, up from just 50 GB a decade ago. Providers have continued expanding network capacity to keep pace with rapidly growing demand.
1%
Of household income spent on home internet
The typical household spends about 1% of its income on home internet service—below the FCC’s 2% affordability benchmark. Even as families use significantly more data, internet service remains one of the most affordable essential household services.
Source: Phoenix Center, USTelecom, OpenVault, Bureau of Labor Statistics
