Home internet in New York
In New York, 77.3% of households have cable, fiber or DSL, 12.6% get by on a phone plan alone and 7.9% have no internet subscription. Here is what that means when you order, and which New York ZIP codes our call line covers.
- 92.1% of New York households have an internet subscription; 7.9% have none (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023).
- Wired broadband reaches 77.3% of households, 1 point above the national figure of 76.3%.
- Our call line covers 652 ZIP codes in New York, including New York, Brooklyn and Bronx.
What the numbers say about internet in New York
| Households, 2023 | New York | United States |
|---|---|---|
| With an internet subscription | 92.1% | 92.2% |
| Wired broadband (cable, fiber or DSL) | 77.3% | 76.3% |
| Cellular data plan only | 12.6% | 11.9% |
| Satellite internet | 4.3% | 6.6% |
| No internet subscription | 7.9% | 7.8% |
| No computer in the home | 4.6% | 3.9% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 1-year estimates, table S2801. New York: 7,809,267 households. United States figure is the household-weighted average of the 50 states and DC. Shares overlap because a home can have more than one type of subscription.
Put against the other states, New York is 19th of 51 for wired broadband, 35th for the fewest phone-only households, and 45th for the share of homes on satellite.
Which connections to expect in New York
Wired service covers a solid majority of homes in New York, at 77.3% of households, 1 point above the national figure of 76.3%. Expect cable in most towns, fiber on a growing share of streets, and DSL where nothing newer has arrived yet.
12.6% of New York households are phone-only, 0.7 points above the national figure of 11.9%. A home line, wired or 5G, almost always gives more data for the money than tethering; the speed guide shows how much the household actually needs.
Only 4.3% of New York households use satellite, 2.3 points below the national figure of 6.6%. In a state this well wired, an agent offering satellite first is usually a sign to ask what else reaches the address.
7.9% of households in New York have no internet subscription at all, about the same as the national figure, and 4.6% have no computer of any kind. Cost is one of the usual reasons; the low-income internet help guide covers the federal Lifeline discount and the reduced-price plans many providers offer.
For what each type is like to live with, see fiber, cable, 5G home, fixed wireless, DSL and satellite, or the side-by-side table.
Where our call line covers in New York
Our call line covers 652 ZIP codes in New York, including addresses in New York, Brooklyn, Bronx, Syracuse, Buffalo, Staten Island, Schenectady and Jamaica. Enter your ZIP below: if it is on the list, the call button stays live and the agent checks the lines on your street; if it is not, the guides on this site still tell you what to ask any provider.
652 ZIP codes in New York are on the call list.
| City | ZIP codes on the list |
|---|---|
| New York | 45 |
| Brooklyn | 39 |
| Bronx | 25 |
| Syracuse | 15 |
| Buffalo | 15 |
| Staten Island | 13 |
| Schenectady | 8 |
| Jamaica | 5 |
| White Plains | 5 |
| Yonkers | 5 |
| Rochester | 4 |
| Great Neck | 4 |
| Astoria | 4 |
| Flushing | 4 |
| Albany | 4 |
Covered ZIP codes by city, from the call partner's list; the list changes over time.
Four steps to a working line in New York
- Check the address, not the ZIP alone. Availability is decided street by street, so give the agent the full address.
- Compare the types first, prices second: a fiber line at the same price as cable is the better buy because of upload speed and steadier evening speeds.
- Read the broadband label. Every plan now comes with one; the label guide shows what to look for.
- Line up the install date with your move-in date if you are moving. The moving checklist has the timing.
Common questions
What share of New York households are offline?
In the 2023 American Community Survey, 7.9% of New York households reported no internet subscription of any kind (616,932 homes), which ranks the state 26th of 51 for the fewest unconnected homes. Another 12.6% rely on a phone plan alone.
What is the fastest home internet in New York?
Fiber, where it has been built. It is the only type with upload as fast as download. 77.3% of New York households have some wired line, but fiber reaches only part of them, so check the exact address. Cable is the usual alternative in towns; 5G home and fixed wireless cover many places the cables do not.
Does the call line cover all of New York?
No. It covers 652 ZIP codes in New York. Enter your ZIP on this page: if it is covered the call button stays on, and if not the button switches off and the guides still apply. Coverage changes over time, so check again in a few months if your ZIP is not listed today.
Is satellite internet common in New York?
4.3% of New York households have a satellite subscription, 2.3 points below the national figure of 6.6%. It is mainly used where no wired line reaches. Newer low-orbit satellite services have far lower delay than the old geostationary ones, but check the data limits before you order.