Cheap Internet in Durham, North Carolina - Most Affordable Plans (February 2026)
Cheapest internet in Durham: Spectrum Internet at $30/mo for 300 Mbps (Cable). Call 1-844-481-5997 to sign up today. Durham is one of North Carolina's larger cities with a cost of living near the national average at a 100 index, and the average internet bill here is approximately $76/mo. See the complete plan lineup and money-saving strategies below.
If you are tired of paying more than you should for internet access, this guide breaks down the most affordable options available. In Durham, North Carolina, 10 providers offer budget-friendly internet plans with promotional rates starting as low as $30/mo. With a population of 257,636, the local market is competitive enough that most households can find reliable service under $50 per month.
Durham, NC - Internet Plans by Price
Below you will find the budget plan from each provider, sorted by monthly promotional price. Regular rates are shown for comparison.
| Provider | Plan | Speed | Promo Price | Regular Price | Type | Contract | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum | Internet | 300 Mbps | $30/mo* | $55/mo | Cable | No | View Plans | 1-844-481-5997 |
| AT&T Internet | Internet 100 | 100 Mbps | $35/mo* | $55/mo | Fiber/DSL | No | View Plans | 1-855-850-5977 |
| Frontier Fiber | Fiber 500 | 500 Mbps | $40/mo* | $50/mo | Fiber | No | View Plans | 1-855-981-6281 |
| Verizon Fios | Fios 300 | 300 Mbps | $40/mo* | $50/mo | Fiber | No | View Plans | 1-855-387-1456 |
| Verizon 5G Home | 5G Home | 85-300 Mbps | $45/mo* | $60/mo | 5G | No | View Plans |
| T-Mobile | 5G Home Internet | 72-245 Mbps | $50/mo* | $50/mo | 5G | No | View Plans | 1-844-275-9311 |
| HughesNet | Select | 50 Mbps | $50/mo* | $65/mo | Satellite | No | View Plans | 1-855-543-5405 |
| Google Fiber | 1 Gig | 1 Gbps | $70/mo* | $70/mo | Fiber | No | View Plans | 1-866-777-7550 |
| Viasat | Unleashed 100 | 100 Mbps | $70/mo* | $100/mo | Satellite | 24 mo | View Plans | 1-855-463-9333 |
| Starlink | Residential | 50-200 Mbps | $120/mo* | $120/mo | Satellite | No | View Plans |
*Promotional prices for new customers. Taxes and fees may apply. Prices as of February 2026.
Save with Spectrum in Durham
Roughly 84% of Durham has access to Spectrum cable internet, where promotional pricing and no-contract flexibility make it a popular budget choice.
- Internet: 300 Mbps for $30/mo (regular $55/mo) -- Cable, No contract
- Internet Ultra: 500 Mbps for $50/mo (regular $75/mo) -- Cable, No contract
Call 1-844-481-5997 to check Spectrum availability and current promotions in Durham.
Compare all Spectrum plans in Durham →
AT&T Internet - Low-Price Plans for Durham
If wired broadband is not available at your address, AT&T Internet's fixed wireless network covers about 57% of Durham and offers a practical alternative.
- Internet 100: 100 Mbps for $35/mo (regular $55/mo) -- Fiber/DSL, No contract
- Internet 300: 300 Mbps for $45/mo (regular $65/mo) -- Fiber, No contract
Ready to sign up? Call AT&T Internet at 1-855-850-5977 for the latest deals in Durham.
See full AT&T Internet plan details and pricing →
Frontier Fiber Plans Under $50/mo in Durham
Frontier Fiber serves roughly 29% of Durham via DSL, an established technology that remains a viable choice for basic browsing and email.
- Fiber 500: 500 Mbps for $40/mo (regular $50/mo) -- Fiber, No contract
- Fiber 1 Gig: 1 Gbps for $60/mo (regular $70/mo) -- Fiber, No contract
Contact Frontier Fiber at 1-855-981-6281 to see which plans are available at your Durham address.
Check Frontier Fiber availability in Durham →
Verizon Fios Budget Tiers in Durham, NC
Verizon Fios operates a growing fiber network across 21% of Durham, providing speeds that scale well beyond what cable and DSL can offer.
- Fios 300: 300 Mbps for $40/mo (regular $50/mo) -- Fiber, No contract
- Fios 500: 500 Mbps for $60/mo (regular $70/mo) -- Fiber, No contract
Reach Verizon Fios at 1-855-387-1456 to learn about promotions and availability in Durham.
View all Verizon Fios deals for Durham →
Verizon 5G Home - Budget Plans in Durham
Verizon 5G Home provides 5G fixed wireless coverage to roughly 21% of Durham, with no data caps and no annual contracts required.
- 5G Home: 85-300 Mbps for $45/mo (regular $60/mo) -- 5G, No contract
- 5G Home Plus: 300-1000 Mbps for $65/mo (regular $80/mo) -- 5G, No contract
Compare all Verizon 5G Home plans in Durham →
T-Mobile Cheap Internet Plans in Durham
T-Mobile delivers 5G home internet to roughly 67% of Durham, with typical speeds that compete with mid-tier cable plans at a flat monthly rate.
- 5G Home Internet: 72-245 Mbps for $50/mo (regular $50/mo) -- 5G, No contract
Ready to sign up? Call T-Mobile at 1-844-275-9311 for the latest deals in Durham.
Affordable HughesNet Plans for Durham Residents
For the 100% of Durham covered by HughesNet satellite (typically the entire metro area), this option provides connectivity where cable and fiber networks do not reach.
- Select: 50 Mbps for $50/mo (regular $65/mo) -- Satellite, No contract
- Elite: 100 Mbps for $65/mo (regular $85/mo) -- Satellite, No contract
Contact HughesNet at 1-855-543-5405 to see which plans are available at your Durham address.
Google Fiber in Durham: Low-Cost Plan Options
Approximately 26% of Durham households can access Google Fiber fiber, which delivers consistent speeds for streaming, gaming, and working from home.
- 1 Gig: 1 Gbps for $70/mo (regular $70/mo) -- Fiber, No contract
- 2 Gig: 2 Gbps for $100/mo (regular $100/mo) -- Fiber, No contract
Reach Google Fiber at 1-866-777-7550 to learn about promotions and availability in Durham.
Durham Viasat Plans Starting at $70/mo
With 100% coverage in Durham, Viasat satellite is universally available but best suited for households that cannot access cable, fiber, or fixed wireless service.
- Unleashed 100: 100 Mbps for $70/mo (regular $100/mo) -- Satellite, 24 mo contract
- Unleashed 150: 150 Mbps for $100/mo (regular $130/mo) -- Satellite, 24 mo contract
Call 1-855-463-9333 to check Viasat availability and current promotions in Durham.
Starlink - Affordable Options in Durham, NC
Approximately 100% of Durham can access Starlink's satellite internet, which works anywhere with a clear view of the sky regardless of local infrastructure.
- Residential: 50-200 Mbps for $120/mo (regular $120/mo) -- Satellite, No contract
Internet Costs in Durham: Local Market Overview
Local internet pricing in Durham is shaped by the number of available providers and the types of technology they deploy.
The cost of living in Durham sits at 100 on the national index (100 = average). Local households earn a median income of approximately $45,900 and spend around $76/mo on internet. Competition among providers helps keep internet costs manageable relative to other expenses.
Durham benefits from 10 competing internet providers, which keeps the market favorable for consumers. Wired connections (fiber and cable) deliver the best combination of speed, reliability, and price. Current promotional offers from Spectrum and AT&T Internet make sub-$40 monthly internet a reality for many households.
Discount Internet Programs for Durham Residents
If you are on a limited income, these assistance programs can dramatically lower your monthly internet bill in Durham. Qualifying households may pay as little as $9.95 per month.
- FCC Lifeline Program: Provides up to $9.25/mo discount on internet or phone service for households at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. North Carolina residents can apply through the National Verifier.
- Spectrum Internet Assist: 30 Mbps for $17.99/mo for eligible households, including seniors on SSI. Call 1-844-481-5997 to apply.
- AT&T Access: Plans starting at $30/mo for households participating in SNAP or with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Call 1-855-850-5977 for eligibility info.
- State and Local Assistance: Check with North Carolina state agencies and Durham community organizations for additional digital inclusion programs and subsidized internet access initiatives.
Internet Savings Tips for Durham Residents
Saving $10-$20 per month on internet adds up to $120-$240 per year -- here is how Durham residents can do it. Here are five proven ways to save.
Set a calendar reminder before promos expire
Most promotional rates last 12-24 months. Set a reminder 30 days before your promo expires so you have time to negotiate or switch to a cheaper plan.
Watch for hidden fees
Installation fees, activation charges, and equipment rental costs can add $20-$40 to your first few bills. Ask about self-install options and fee waivers before signing up.
Ask about autopay and paperless billing discounts
Many ISPs offer $5-$10 off your monthly bill when you enroll in autopay with a bank account or credit card and opt for paperless statements.
Switch during promotional seasons
Providers often run their deepest discounts in January, back-to-school season (August-September), and Black Friday. Timing your switch can lock in a lower rate.
Look into fixed wireless alternatives
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home offer flat-rate pricing with no data caps, often at $25-$50/mo. If 5G coverage is available at your address, this can be a significant savings over cable.
FAQ: Cheap Internet Service in Durham, NC
What is the least expensive internet plan in Durham, NC?
The cheapest internet plan in Durham is Spectrum Internet at $30/mo for 300 Mbps. This promotional rate is available to new customers. The next most affordable option is AT&T Internet at $35/mo.
Can you find internet for under $30 per month in Durham?
While standard promotional rates in Durham start around $30/mo, you can find sub-$30 pricing through low-income programs. Low-income programs like Xfinity Internet Essentials ($9.95/mo) and Spectrum Internet Assist ($17.99/mo) are also available to qualifying households.
What is the smartest internet plan to choose in Durham for the money?
For the best speed-per-dollar value in Durham, look at providers offering fiber or cable service. Spectrum offers 300 Mbps for $30/mo, while AT&T Internet provides 100 Mbps for $35/mo. Fiber plans typically deliver the best long-term value with symmetrical speeds and no data caps.
Can I avoid long-term contracts for internet in Durham?
Yes, most providers in Durham now offer no-contract plans. Spectrum, AT&T Internet, and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet all provide service without requiring a long-term commitment, giving you the flexibility to switch providers if a better deal becomes available.
What do most people pay for internet in Durham, NC?
The average monthly internet bill in Durham, NC is approximately $76, which is near the national average of about $75/mo. By choosing a promotional rate or low-income program, you could pay significantly less than this average.
Is fast and cheap internet available in Durham?
Among budget-friendly plans under $50/mo in Durham, fiber providers typically offer the fastest speeds. Plans like Spectrum Internet (300 Mbps) and AT&T Internet Internet 100 (100 Mbps) deliver strong performance at introductory prices.
Related Resources
Need more options? These pages offer deeper dives into internet service in and around Durham.
- Internet Providers in Durham, NC
- Spectrum Plans and Pricing
- AT&T Internet Plans and Pricing
- Frontier Fiber Plans and Pricing
- Verizon Fios Plans and Pricing
- Internet Providers in North Carolina
Disclosure: InternetProviders.ai is an independent resource. We may receive commissions from providers featured on this page through affiliate links. Pricing is based on publicly available data as of February 2026 and may vary. Check directly with providers for current offers specific to your Durham address.