Find internet service and providers in Iowa
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Overview of internet satisfaction and availability in Iowa
Mediacom and CenturyLink are the largest wired internet providers in Iowa. Mediacom provides cable internet, while CenturyLink has mostly DSL internet and some fiber-to-the-home internet service. Windstream also has DSL internet and fiber, but they're far less available than CenturyLink. If you can't get a wired connection, UScellular is the largest fixed wireless provider in the state, followed by T-Mobile, Nextlink, and Rise Broadband. HughesNet, SpaceX, and Viasat have you covered with satellite internet.
Internet providers received an average satisfaction rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars from customers in Iowa.
That ranks Iowa 33rd nationwide for internet customer satisfaction.
Learn more about our methodologyInternet customer satisfaction in Iowa
3.7/5 average customer satisfaction rating
33rd
national ranking for customer satisfaction
$75.86 average price per payment for internet, per household
92.1% of the time, advertised speeds meet household needs
3.6/5 average customer service rating of internet services
3.7/5 average reliability rating of services state-wide
Population:
3,174,426 people
2.41 average people per household
$65,876 average income per household
43 average age per household
63% of population employed
4% higher than national average
Ranked 13th nationally
8% higher than national average
Ranked 29th nationally
12% higher than national average
Ranked 36th nationally
6% higher than national average
Ranked 15th nationally
Fastest internet providers in Iowa
| Provider | Avg download speed | Avg upload speed | Availability | Order online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Fiber | 200.37 Mbps | 178.22 Mbps | 59.25% | View Plans for Google Fiber |
| Cox Communications | 184.99 Mbps | 17.46 Mbps | 95.73% | View Plans for Cox Communications |
| MetroNet | 181.7 Mbps | 179.48 Mbps | 52.22% | View Plans for MetroNet |
| Xtream Powered by Mediacom | 169.17 Mbps | 29.57 Mbps | 74.1% | View Plans for Xtream Powered by Mediacom |
| Cedar Falls Utilities | 148.33 Mbps | 150.95 Mbps | 94.95% | View Plans for Cedar Falls Utilities |
Internet by tech type
| Internet tech type | Avg download speed | % of people with access | % availability | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5G Home | 245 Mbps | 93.43% | 80.75% | See all providers for 5G Home |
| Cable | 912.86 Mbps | 87.57% | 77.52% | See all providers for Cable |
| DSL | 658.9 Mbps | 72.74% | 83.32% | See all providers for DSL |
| Fiber | 708.13 Mbps | 80.53% | 69.68% | See all providers for Fiber |
| Fixed Wireless | 115.12 Mbps | 82.85% | 78.01% | See all providers for Fixed Wireless |
| Satellite | 124.55 Mbps | 96.43% | 98.26% | See all providers for Satellite |
Best cities for internet in Iowa
Cities in Iowa with the fastest internet
| City | Avg download speed | Avg upload speed | Fiber availability | Fastest provider |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton | 197.99 Mbps | 35.55 Mbps | 11% | Xtream Powered by Mediacom |
| Ankeny | 192.29 Mbps | 122.3 Mbps | 54% | MetroNet |
| Altoona | 177.75 Mbps | 54.1 Mbps | 71% | Xtream Powered by Mediacom |
| Coralville | 162.88 Mbps | 91.97 Mbps | 50% | MetroNet |
| Waterloo | 161.01 Mbps | 37.48 Mbps | 90% | MetroNet |
| Cedar Falls | 156.64 Mbps | 147.58 Mbps | 95% | Cedar Falls Utilities |
| Council Bluffs | 151.54 Mbps | 91.61 Mbps | 75% | Cox Communications |
| Mason City | 150.11 Mbps | 55.53 Mbps | 2% | MetroNet |
Clinton is the best city in Iowa for internet, shooting to the top of the list thanks to a combination of record-setting average download speeds, wide fiber-optic internet availability, and the presence of a reliable and well-rated internet provider. Ankeny and Altoona also earn top rankings, according to our data.
The most connected cities in Iowa
| City | Population | Percent with access to high speed internet | Percent with access to fiber internet | Percent with access to 3+ providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 213,164 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Cedar Rapids | 136,929 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Sioux City | 85,469 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Dubuque | 59,315 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Davenport | 101,448 | 100% | 55% | 100% |
| Urbandale | 45,591 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Waterloo | 67,256 | 100% | 65% | 100% |
| West Des Moines | 68,744 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Des Moines is the most internet-connected city in Iowa. Des Moines makes it to the top of the list due to the high number of its residents who have access not only to high-speed internet, but also to fiber internet specifically. A large number of Des Moines's residents also have access to three or more internet providers—an uncommon number of options compared to the rest of the state. Cedar Rapids and Sioux City also make it to the top of our list.
Top cities in Iowa
Des Moines
Population: 213,164
Median income: $66,128
110.01 Mbps
avg. download speed
83.1 Mbps
avg. upload speed
100% have access to high speed internet
100% have access to fiber internet
100% have access to 3 or more providers
Cedar Rapids
Population: 136,929
Median income: $76,325
117.41 Mbps
avg. download speed
35.16 Mbps
avg. upload speed
100% have access to high speed internet
100% have access to fiber internet
100% have access to 3 or more providers
Davenport
Population: 101,448
Median income: $55,790
105.81 Mbps
avg. download speed
106.95 Mbps
avg. upload speed
100% have access to high speed internet
54.66% have access to fiber internet
100% have access to 3 or more providers
Methodology
HighSpeedInternet.com relies on proprietary and exclusive data to analyze the customer and provider trends presented on this page. We analyze millions of results from our speed test tool to determine average statewide speeds, fastest speeds, and availability. Our annual customer satisfaction survey provides us with data for developing the satisfaction rating. We also draw from data provided to us directly by internet providers to determine available tech types and average speeds.
Iowa FAQs
What are the best internet providers in Iowa?
T-Mobile is the best internet provider in Iowa based on feedback in our annual customer satisfaction survey. It outranks CenturyLink, Mediacom, and Windstream in every category from speed satisfaction to customer service. The other three ranks in the bottom half of nearly every category except for CenturyLink, which ranks fifth out of 15 internet providers in price satisfaction.
Where can I get fiber internet in Iowa?
CenturyLink and Windstream offer fiber internet in scattered areas across Iowa. You'll mostly find fiber service around Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Des Moines, Iowa city, Mason City, and Sioux City.
What are the fastest internet providers in Iowa?
The fastest internet provider is Windstream. We found its 2,000Mbps fiber internet in Newton, while the fastest fiber internet we could find from CenturyLink is 940Mbps. Mediacom's cable internet download speeds max out at 1,000Mbps, but the upload speeds are much slower at 50Mbps.
