Best Internet Providers in Salem, OR
Compare 10 internet providers serving 175,535 Salem residents. Oregon's capital city offers strong broadband competition with fiber, cable, and 5G options in the Willamette Valley.
Quick Answer: Best Internet in Salem
Xfinity is the best internet provider in Salem with 70% coverage and speeds up to 2 Gbps. CenturyLink (Quantum Fiber) covers 69% with fiber speeds to 940 Mbps and price-for-life guarantees starting at $30/month. T-Mobile 5G provides the widest single-provider coverage at 67% with no contracts. Salem's status as Oregon's capital ensures ongoing broadband investment.
Key Takeaways
- Best overall: Xfinity with 70% coverage and speeds to 2 Gbps
- Best value: CenturyLink at $30/mo with price-for-life
- Best wireless: T-Mobile 5G at $40-50/mo covering 67%
- Fastest speeds: AT&T Fiber up to 5 Gbps where available
- 10 providers: Competitive market for Oregon's capital
Salem Internet Providers Comparison
| Provider | Technology | Max Speed | Starting Price | Data Cap | Contract | Call Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | Cable/Fiber | 2 Gbps | $20/mo | 1.2 TB | No | 1-844-963-0138 |
| CenturyLink | Fiber/DSL | 940 Mbps | $30/mo | None | No | 1-855-512-4817 |
| T-Mobile 5G | 5G/Fixed Wireless | 245 Mbps | $40/mo | None | No | 1-844-275-9311 |
| AT&T Internet | Fiber/DSL | 5 Gbps | $55/mo | None (Fiber) | No | 1-855-850-5977 |
| Spectrum | Cable | 1 Gbps | $30/mo* | None | No | 1-844-481-5997 |
| Verizon Fios/5G | Fiber/5G | 1 Gbps | $35/mo** | None | No | 1-855-387-1456 |
| HughesNet | Satellite | 100 Mbps | $39.99/mo | Limited | 2-year | 1-855-543-5405 |
| Viasat | Satellite | 150 Mbps | $39.99/mo | Unlimited*** | No | 1-855-463-9333 |
| Starlink | LEO Satellite | 250 Mbps | $120/mo | Soft cap | No | Online only |
*Spectrum first-year price. **Verizon with mobile bundle. ***Viasat Unleashed plan.
Top Salem Internet Providers
Xfinity Internet in Salem
Xfinity is the leading cable provider in Salem with 70% coverage. Plans range from 75 Mbps at $20/month to 2 Gbps on the Gigabit Pro tier. The 1.2 TB data cap applies to most plans but can be removed for an extra $30/month.
- Connect: 75 Mbps - $20/mo
- Fast: 400 Mbps - $50/mo
- Gigabit: 1 Gbps - $70/mo
Choose If:
- You want affordable entry-level pricing at $20/mo
- You need speeds up to 2 Gbps
Avoid If:
- You need unlimited data without paying extra
CenturyLink Fiber in Salem
CenturyLink (Quantum Fiber) covers 69% of Salem with fiber and DSL. The standout feature is price-for-life, meaning your monthly rate never increases. Fiber plans start at $30/month for 200 Mbps and reach 940 Mbps symmetrical with no data caps.
Choose If:
- You want a guaranteed price that never changes
- Symmetrical fiber speeds matter to you
Avoid If:
- Only DSL is available at your address
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet in Salem
T-Mobile covers 67% of Salem with 5G home internet at $40-50/month. No contracts, no data caps, and no price hikes make it ideal for renters and state employees who may relocate. Typical speeds range from 100-245 Mbps.
Choose If:
- You want wireless internet with no contract
- Cable and fiber are unavailable at your address
Avoid If:
- You need consistent sub-20ms latency
Salem Internet Speeds and Prices
| Speed Tier | Xfinity | CenturyLink | AT&T | Spectrum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75-200 Mbps | $20/mo | $30/mo | - | - |
| 300-500 Mbps | $50/mo | $50/mo | $55/mo | $30/mo* |
| 940 Mbps-1 Gbps | $70/mo | $60/mo | $80/mo | $90/mo |
Learn more: Fiber vs Cable comparison guide.
Internet Service in Salem
Salem is Oregon's capital and the third-largest city in the state. Located in the Willamette Valley between Portland and Eugene, Salem's 175,535 residents benefit from a competitive broadband market. Xfinity and CenturyLink together cover most of the city, giving residents a clear choice between cable and fiber. The presence of state government offices drives demand for reliable connectivity among the workforce.
AT&T has been expanding fiber in the Salem metro area, and Spectrum cable fills gaps where Xfinity doesn't reach. T-Mobile's 5G network covers 67% of the city, providing a wireless alternative for those who prefer no-contract service. Satellite options ensure universal coverage for outlying areas.
Internet by Salem Area
- Downtown/Capitol Mall: CenturyLink fiber, Xfinity, and AT&T all available
- South Salem/Bush Park: Strong Xfinity and CenturyLink coverage
- West Salem: Xfinity cable primary; CenturyLink fiber expanding
- Keizer (North): Mix of cable and fiber providers
- East Salem/Lancaster: Multiple options; T-Mobile 5G coverage solid
Frequently Asked Questions About Salem Internet
What is the best internet in Salem?
Xfinity has 70% coverage with speeds to 2 Gbps. CenturyLink fiber covers 69% with price-for-life starting at $30/month.
Is fiber available in Salem?
Yes, CenturyLink fiber covers 69%, AT&T 43%, and Verizon Fios 20%. Salem has growing fiber infrastructure from multiple providers.
How much does internet cost in Salem?
Xfinity starts at $20/month and CenturyLink fiber at $30/month. Most households pay $40-70/month for 200-940 Mbps plans.
What is the fastest internet in Salem?
AT&T Fiber offers 5 Gbps where available. Xfinity reaches 2 Gbps. CenturyLink fiber provides 940 Mbps symmetrical.
Is 5G home internet available in Salem?
Yes, T-Mobile covers 67% of Salem at $40-50/month. Verizon 5G Home reaches about 20% starting at $35/month with mobile bundle.
About the Author
Last Updated: February 7, 2026
Our team regularly reviews and updates this guide to ensure accuracy.
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InternetProviders.ai is committed to providing accurate, unbiased information. Some providers listed are partners who compensate us when you sign up through our links or phone numbers. This compensation may affect provider ordering but does not influence our ratings or recommendations. See our editorial guidelines and how we make money.
Internet Speed Requirements for Salem Households
The speed you need in Salem depends on how many people and devices use your connection simultaneously. A single person streaming video and browsing the web can get by with 50-100 Mbps. A household of 2-3 people with regular streaming and video calls should target 200-300 Mbps. Larger families with 4 or more heavy users benefit from 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps plans, especially when multiple people are streaming in 4K, gaming online, or working from home at the same time.
Upload speed matters just as much as download speed for Salem residents who work remotely. Video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Teams require at least 5 Mbps upload for stable HD video, and 10 Mbps or more for group calls with screen sharing. If multiple household members participate in video calls simultaneously, ensure your plan provides at least 20-25 Mbps upload speed. Fiber plans offer the best upload performance with symmetrical speeds.
How to Choose an Internet Provider in Salem
Start by checking which providers actually serve your specific address in Salem, as coverage can vary significantly even within the same city. Enter your address on each provider's website or use our comparison tool to see all available options. Compare the actual speeds offered at your address, not just the provider's maximum advertised speed, since availability of faster tiers depends on local infrastructure.
Beyond speed, compare the total monthly cost including equipment rental fees, installation charges, and price increases after promotional periods end. Providers in Salem, Oregon may offer different promotions depending on the season and competition in your area. Ask about no-contract options to maintain flexibility, and check whether a provider requires a credit check, as some offer prepaid alternatives. Reading recent customer reviews specific to Salem gives the most relevant picture of service quality and reliability in your neighborhood.