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California Internet Providers

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California internet at a glance

184

Internet providers available in California

$101.03

Average monthly cost of internet in California

226.22 Mbps

Average download speed in California

California, home to Silicon Valley and a legacy of tech innovation, stands out as a hub for world-class internet service. Over 13.55 million households, or 93.53% of households in the Golden State, have internet.

With 187 internet providers statewide, Californians have no shortage of options for streaming, gaming, and working from home. Whether you’re seeking ultrafast fiber, dependable cable, or cutting-edge 5G home networks, California’s diverse internet landscape offers solutions to fit nearly any budget.

Looking to speed up your internet service in California? Enter your zip code to compare plans, prices, and speeds to suit your needs.

On this page:

Average cost of internet in California

The average internet cost in California is $101 per month, which accounts for just 1.5% of the state’s average household income of $80,610 per year. On top of its relative affordability, California internet has fast speeds, with an average download speed of 155Mbps, ranking 10th fastest nationwide as of 2025.

Cable is still king in California, and fiber is expanding to nearly half the state. Newer 5G home networks provide reliable speeds without the high costs of satellite internet or the infrastructure requirements of cable and fiber—and they now cover 58% of the state (and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet covers 52% of California).

Average cost of internet in California

$101.03/month

National Average: $80.11/month

Median household income in California

$6,718.80/month

National Average: $6,717.50/month

Access to internet in California

83.01% of households

have access to internet in California

16.99% of households

do not have access to internet - that leaves over 2.30M people.

$1.86B BEAD funding

The total allocated BEAD funding in California is $1,864,136,508.93. This calculates out to 47.15 per state resident.

The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) initiative provides $42B to expand high-speed internet access to underserved areas across the U.S.

BEAD internet funding across states

Internet availability in California

California’s internet landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by investments like the $1.86 billion in federal BEAD funding (the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program), which averages out to $47.15 per resident. These funds aim to expand internet access, particularly in historically underserved areas.

With rural and tribal populations making up only 2.39% and 2.07% of the state, respectively, most Californians live in urban or suburban areas with access to multiple connection options. As new technologies like 5G home internet emerge, internet access continues to improve across the state to reach more people.

Internet availability by connection type

DSL availability

85%

DSL maxes out at 100Mbps, but many DSL customers get much slower speeds than that. DSL is becoming obsolete, but it’s still a solid option in rural areas.

Fiber availability

51%

Renowned for its reliability, fiber can reach download and upload speeds up to 10,000Mbps. While it isn’t available everywhere, it’s the best internet you can get.

Cable availability

83%

Cable is bread-and-butter internet—widely available, often affordable, and very fast, delivering download speeds that range anywhere from 25Mbps to 1,200Mbps.

5G Home availability

50%

5G home internet is fast, affordable, easy to install, and available in many locations where other options are limited.

Satellite availability

99%

Satellite is available practically everywhere, even in the most remote parts of the country. It’s costly and comes with strict data limits and slow speeds, so use it as a last resort.

Top 3 California providers

Provider
Max download speed
Price starting at
Availability
Learn More
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
245Mbps$5049%View Plans
AT&T Fiber
5,000Mbps$5519%View Plans
Spectrum
1,000Mbps$5032%View Plans
Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Data verified as of the article's publication date.

How we review internet providers

At Reviews.org, our mission is to help you find the home internet service that works best for you. When it comes to internet providers, it’s easy to get swayed by the pizzazz of advertisements and endless discounts, so we dig beyond the surface to find out if those deals are really worth your time and hard-earned money.

Just like your neighbor or friend who’s looking out for your needs, our reviewers make sure you know exactly what you’re signing up for: We uncover the fine print and spell out the extra fees so you don’t get blindsided later. We interview dozens of real customers who dish on their experience with their internet provider—the good stuff and the bad. We also maintain an up-to-date library of internet plans and their prices available in every zip code across the country, so you have all the best internet options laid out for you.

For a deeper look at our review process, check out How we test internet providers.

Summary of internet services in California

California’s fast, affordable internet covers virtually the whole state
What makes California internet special is its wide variety of providers spread across the state, which deliver the 11th fastest average download speeds in the nation at affordable prices. While cable internet covers the majority of the state, 5G and fiber are spreading to more areas. With the help of $1.67 billion in BEAD funding, the state will continue to be a hub for internet technology growth.

Switching to a new provider in the Golden State? Check out your internet options in California.

– Trevor Wheelwright

FAQ's for internet in California

The average internet speed in California is 226.22 Mbps

The average cost of internet in California is $101.03/month.

Fiber internet is available in 94.66% of California.

Find internet providers in California

  • Los Angeles, CA
  • San Diego, CA
  • San Jose, CA
  • San Francisco, CA
  • Fresno, CA
  • Sacramento, CA
  • Long Beach, CA

    • Browse all cities in California

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