Whether you are working remotely or just need good internet for your hobby, it is essential to have a quality connection where you are. And if you’re living in the city, it can be expensive. A better connection to the modern world can be a huge part of that. If you’re working remotely like many of us have been and are still doing today, then it’s even more critical.
Note that while we’ll be looking at most cities to find the best internet, we won’t be going strictly by the numbers here. While we’re sure that there are lovely small towns and cities dotted across America, you probably aren’t looking to move to a place where about two thousand people live just because it technically has the best internet. Instead, we look at the overall picture, including options, top speeds, and more. And often, this means larger cities.
Therefore, without any further wait, here are 15 United States cities with the best internet:
1. New York, New York
It is no surprise that one of the biggest cities in the world and effectively one of the world’s capitals would have fantastic internet. How would the city function in today’s world without it? There are an astonishing 30 internet service providers in the city (though you probably want to stick with the major ones), and speeds go up to 2Gbps. That might not be as impressive as some of the speeds found in other cities, but it is far more consistent and available throughout the city. In general, wherever you go, there will be a good internet connection.
The surrounding areas just beyond New York also generally have great internet. In any case, it is best to do your research before moving (we hope you would in many regards before moving to New York, if only to make sure you can get an apartment), and that you try to plan as much ahead of time as possible.
And on top of everything else, it is New York! This means there are plenty of coffee shops and places with an excellent internet connection just waiting to be tried out, perhaps as a change of pace. Just be sure to keep safe in the process.
2. San Francisco, California
For a good reason, San Francisco, perhaps the world’s big tech capital, would naturally have amazing internet. If there’s an important decision in technology or a big development, someone in San Francisco knows about it or has a part in it. Many people who work and live in the city wouldn’t stand for it if their internet speed and connection quality were relegated to the last decade. There is more than one fiber internet provider, eight different providers in total, not counting satellite internet, and
San Francisco has a lot of different facets to it, and you might not want to live there unless you need to, given the costs of living (though it’s a wonderful place to visit). You will want to look ahead of time to see the cost of an internet plan as they do tend to be a bit more expensive on average than with other cities.
3. Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas, is one of the fastest growing areas in the country and one of the best places to live in Texas, according to many. And it also happens to be extremely well-connected. Fiber internet is available at rates starting at about $60. Four major providers are currently operating in the region, and multiple additional options might be available in select areas.
Fast internet speeds are available up to multiple Gbps, and about two-thirds of the population can access the fastest internet possible in the city, with everyone else still getting excellent service. It might be hard to find a place there, and it might be more expensive than the surrounding area in Texas, but Austin has its benefits.
In fact, several providers (AT&T and Spectrum) can provide speeds of up to 1Gbps or more, and the competition keeps prices reasonable and options for switching open, making it one of the cities with the best internet. If you feel like you’re being treated poorly by an ISP in Austin, don’t hesitate to find a new provider.
4. San Diego, California
Given that California is where we see a lot of the developments of technology and many of the largest cities in the country, it also comes as no surprise that the internet is great in San Diego, California. Multiple providers offer internet speeds of up to 1Gbps, 8 total worthwhile providers operating in the city, and a highly competitive market that keeps prices reasonable and service acceptable if not great (one doesn’t always expect the best from ISPs).
San Diego is also naturally a booming city with so much to do and enjoy, making it the perfect spot for many people. Whether you’re interested in the outdoors or relaxing inside, you will be getting consistency for your work and enjoyment, and you’ll be able to focus on whatever you want. And if needed, you’ll find plenty of 5G and 4G coverage when you’re on the go.
5. Denver, Colorado
A place quickly becoming one of the most beloved cities in the country and a place everyone wants to move to, Denver, Colorado, also has the distinction of having some of the best internet speeds just about everywhere in the cities. Five major providers operate in Denver, with top internet speeds reaching 2Gbps. Even if you don’t live in one of the areas, you can still find high speed internet throughout the area, giving it just one more reason that it is a great place to live.
Denver, growing as it is, will be expensive to live in, though the prices for internet service will be acceptable, especially if you can find the right deal. Yet if you ask the people who live there, they wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.
6. Colorado Springs, Colorado
Another wonderful city in Colorado; if Denver does not seem to be your thing, Colorado Springs is considered one of the best cities in the United States. On top of beautiful views and amazing parks, the city is growing and provides a unique opportunity to live somewhere with a little bit of everything. As part of that everything, there is internet service.
In general, Colorado Springs residents can enjoy most of the same internet Denver has in terms of providers and speed. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of people living there (about 15 percent) have access to the highest speeds available. Additionally, while Colorado Springs might not be the cheapest place to live, the internet is affordable, especially considering the package deals and opportunities available from the three primary providers.
7. San Antonio, Texas
In addition to Austin, many people live in San Antonio, and a large population is in greater need of high-speed internet access than ever. Thankfully, they’re getting it for the most part. Six major providers are operating in the cities, and 1Gb of internet is available. And while this isn’t nearly as high of a maximum as you’ve seen in other cities thus far, you should also note that there are consistently decent speeds across the city. Wherever you live, you’ll probably be able to go about your daily life without problems and have multiple options for an ISP and plan on top of that. That’s why San Antonio is an excellent city for the internet and why you should look more at it.
San Antonio has a lot to offer all sorts of different people, whether they want to find some adventure or see something new. Many people love to make their home there. Whatever your interest, you’ll find a stable internet connection.
8. Dallas, Texas
Texas, perhaps given its size and population, obviously has more than one huge city and more than one of the cities with the best internet and internet connection. And we cannot forget about the capital, which is one of the best places in the country if you’re looking for an amazing internet connection. There are eight providers of note operating in the area, and you can get speeds of up to 1Gbps. You will also be happy to know that there are plenty of affordable plans for internet in the city, whether you want a bundle or internet service. Wireless data coverage throughout the city is generally good, and you will likely have your pick regarding plans.
Dallas is a city for those who love Texas and those looking to create a great life. It might not be for everyone, but look further and see if it’s the city for you. Whatever the case, you’ll be able to connect to the rest of the world just fine.
9. Chicago, Illinois
The biggest city in the middle of the country has to have some of the best internet, and it does. Chicago is an environment unto itself with many different parts, and Chicago also has eight various providers to choose from. You’ll get internet speeds of up to 2Gbps, and people living there will generally be able to get broadband speeds without difficulty. The good competition leads to quality service and great nternet connection across most cities.
Chicago is also one of those cities with many different parts to it, so your download speeds may vary depending on a more specific location. If you’re interested in more details, we recommend you zero in on a specific address or neighborhood to see if the internet speed is up to par.
10. Los Angeles, California
Along with New York, Los Angeles is one of the biggest cities in the world, with millions upon millions of people all requiring fast internet service. Yet, unlike New York, Los Angeles is much more spread out. Does this affect internet service in any way? It appears not, and Los Angeles is generally a fine place to get internet throughout. The download speeds are much faster than the traffic, and gigabit internet is widely available for a reasonable price.
However, if there ever was one, Los Angeles is a sprawling city, which means that the greater metro area might have different results. Look more specifically into the town or neighborhood you’re interested in if you consider moving there. You want to ensure you can get great internet before enjoying what Los Angeles offers.
11. Phoenix, Arizona
One of the biggest and most important cities in the Southwest, Phoenix is a place that is increasing in population and activity, and it needs reliable internet to make that happen. Thankfully, they have it. When you have to stay inside during the scorching summer months, you can enjoy gigabit internet from two providers and perfectly good internet from a total of six providers operating across the city. And one of the best parts is that compared to other cities, the plans available are highly affordable no matter what you’re looking for, at worst being the industry average.
Overall, you’re sure to have a great time in Phoenix if you’re well-prepared. Select the right internet provider as part of that and ensure you’re in a well-serviced area of the city. If so, you’ll have more time to spend on the great food and local culture.
12. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
One of the biggest cities in the East with one of the biggest personalities, Philadelphia, is where once it feels like home, you’ll never feel it anywhere else. Unfortunately, no amount of brotherly love will help you download a file faster. The good news is that there is plenty of high-speed internet to go around. There are two providers of gigabit internet, eight different providers in total, and high speeds across the city. Speeds can go up to 2Gbps in some areas of the city.
Wireless data access also happens to be excellent, so you’ll be able to walk around the city and experience everything it offers (and there is a lot). Whatever your case or need, you should be all set in Philadelphia.
13. San Jose, California
And last but not least, for the state of California, we have San Jose, another large city with a lot to offer people who might not be so interested in San Francisco or Los Angeles. They might enjoy being a bit more South or be there to advance their career. In any case, San Jose has plenty of good options for fast internet. Eight companies have plenty of different plan options, and you can find internet speeds up to 2Gbps. Prices are reasonable, and if you ever feel stuck with one option, you can switch to another easily enough.
San Jose might not be the first city think about in California, but don’t let that stop you from trying out everything it has to offer and making it a part of your life. When it comes to the internet, it is one of the cities with the best internet you can find.
14. St. Petersburg, Florida
There are plenty of cities in Florida you might want to go to, but if you want the best connection, we recommend looking at St. Petersburg first. It has multiple providers able to provide gigabit internet, and eight different residential providers exist. In fact, we’ve rarely seen such a selection anywhere in the country. This effectively means that no matter where you are in the city, you should be able to get some of the fastest internet speeds you could ever want. On top of that, you’ll also likely be able to get a great deal in the process.
That being said, in Florida, there are plenty of other cities with good internet options (whether you’ll be looking for speed, reliability, or several providers). St. Petersburg stands out and provides the whole package.
15. Des Moines, Iowa
While some might think it a bit surprising that this city made this list, we don’t want to completely leave out options from the Midwest and otherwise less populated states. Des Moines surprisingly has a decent infrastructure when it comes to internet service and does have gigabit internet in some parts of the city. They might be hard to come by, but there are other options and good speeds. If you’re worried about moving here for work or another reason just because of the connection potential, you shouldn’t worry about it any longer.
Other smaller cities have decent internet, but they’re generally ones you might not move to except for other reasons, and they wouldn’t break through compared to the major cities of the United States in terms of options. Yet Des Moines sticks out a little, and you may want to look more into it.
A Few Final Notes
Before you pick a city and move (though we know it’s more complicated than that) or take the above as set in stone, here are a few things we’d like you to keep in mind:
- While there is certainly no shortage of great cities to find internet in, note that as more cities get fiber internet, 5G support, and other benefits, we will see something of an evening out regarding internet access and speed. There will always be cities with the “best internet,” likely places within the largest cities. However, gigabit internet will eventually become the norm for most people, with it less concerned about access.
- On the above note, infrastructure is being built and regularly changing with the times. The cities with the best internet today might not be the cities with the best internet a year from now. Don’t base your entire life around having the very best internet when otherwise the city of your dreams has a perfectly acceptable option. There will be options to improve your connection eventually, no matter where you go.
- Better internet will soon be more than just the broadband speed one gets through a line. It will also mean the coverage and effectiveness of 4G and 5G networks in the area. Some studies and reviews already consider that ranking city on their internet accessibility. If you’re someone constantly on the go that needs to be able to rely on their data plan, look into these coverages more intensely.
- In general, we placed more emphasis on download speed in this piece, as it is far more critical to the average user. However, if you need a solid upload speed, make sure that a good option is available in the city of your interest.
- Cities and metropolitan areas are, by definition, rather large, and as such, internet service in one area of a city might not be the same as another. If you’re moving or are more curious, look more into specific addresses or neighborhoods when it comes to getting the best connection. Keep in mind the type of connection and reports on customer service in the area.
Conclusion
Whether you’re moving or just curious, the quality of the internet in a city is only one part of the equation. But know that it is part of the equation and a rather important part. We hope that you might be able to narrow down your choices for the next stage of your life or feel a little more comfortable with where you are going next. Whatever your situation, we wish you the best of luck and invite you to check this site out again when you need to find a service provider.
