Like utilities or groceries, internet access is necessary for most Americans today. As a small business owner and parent to three teens, my family can’t get by without it. Unfortunately, it often seems expensive. That’s not to mention spiking health insurance costs. With an average $65 per month increase in ACA Marketplace premiums in 2026, per the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), there’s even less left over to cover the cost of home internet. That’s tragically ironic when you consider that $65 is almost what many Americans already pay for internet access. The two essential bills are more aligned than you might think.

Internet service isn’t cheap for most Americans. In Reviews.org’s Consumer Media Spending report, we found that the average cost for home internet is $81.16.  Broadband Now also reports an unsurprising finding: some Americans are struggling with the cost of internet plans. It found that some households say internet costs stress their budgets or that they worry about paying for it monthly, to the tune of 23% and 19%, respectively.

Interestingly, home internet pricing is holding steady. Research firm Phoenix Center says increases are fairly flat in recent years, although speeds have increased. Just because home internet pricing is relatively stable, it doesn’t mean the cost is always easy to absorb. Any increase in essential household costs makes it harder to fit other expenses into a budget.

Americans spend $280 monthly on home internet, streaming/cable, and mobile phones, which is over 5% (5.4%) of average monthly income, so it’s understandable that households review those costs when budgets are stretched thin. This isn’t to say that home internet plans never increase in price, because they do, but it may not be the direct cause of financial pressure.

Read more: Cheapest Internet Providers

Healthcare costs remain a struggle for many families in 2026. A main driver of this year's spike is the expiration of enhanced ACA Marketplace tax credits for many households at the end of 2025, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

That expiration means that Americans are now generally responsible for more of their health care costs. Any time a budget experiences a price increase it directly impacts cash flow for families. In this case, the average household is paying $65 more monthly for insurance premiums, or $780 annually.

That increase is nearly what many Americans pay for their home internet each month. Not all Americans saw insurance premiums increase by $65 per month, meaning it doesn’t impact households equally.

Monthly premiums aren’t the only thing to increase with insurance. KFF reports deductibles increased by nearly 40% (37%). Yes, that may lower the monthly bill, but that means that an unexpected medical emergency can cause outsized effects for those without emergency savings.

Just because home internet costs aren’t increasing for most doesn’t mean they’re not expensive. A measurable increase in cost in any necessary budget item puts pressure on the entire budget, leaving affected people wondering how they can save on their internet costs.

Despite stability in pricing for many home internet plans, it’s not necessarily affordable for everyone. Affordability relies on income and budgetary obligations, and the latter is facing growing headwinds. So, it’s understandable to worry about how to manage home internet costs. Many Americans (60%) say affordable internet is essential to daily living, so eliminating the expense isn’t an option, especially since internet access is vital to managing many facets of life. While there are ways to save on home internet plans, it’s not a bill that most can completely cut out, either.

Whenever your budget takes a hit, it pays to review your monthly expenses. As you consider your home internet plan, identify whether costs have increased. Review your monthly statements to see whether your rate changed, a promotion expired, or you're incurring a fee. Due diligence is necessary, as 65% of consumers feel misled about pricing or terms by their internet service provider (ISP).

If pricing has increased, treat it as an opportunity to comparison-shop. Contact competing ISPs in your area to see if they offer a better rate, then take that back to your current ISP to see if they can match it. Don’t overlook asking your ISP if they have a promotion that offers savings. I did this recently with my Cox internet plan. Cox lowered my pricing from $94 to $70 per month with no reduction in speed.

If costs have changed little, review your overall spending on connection needs. For example, if you’re overspending on streaming and not fully using a service, consider cutting it to claw back savings. If that’s not an option, ask yourself if you’re paying for more internet than you need. Your current ISP may have a lower-tier plan that costs less. If they don’t, ask a competitor what they offer. There are other ways to lower your internet bill; think outside of the box to unlock savings.

An unchanged home internet bill can easily become unaffordable when other monthly costs suddenly increase. Cutting internet service isn’t necessary, but identifying if it has increased and determining how to reduce it if it has is a wise step to take to optimize your budget.

Found this useful? Follow Reviews.org on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or catch us on YouTube. 

You can also add us as a preferred Google search source for the latest in tech and home services.