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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 methodology

Internet 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

$66,048 average income per household

43 average age per household

63% of population employed

90

4% higher than national average

Ranked 14th nationally

81

5% higher than national average

Ranked 30th nationally

98%

12% higher than national average

Ranked 36th nationally

83%

6% higher than national average

Ranked 17th nationally

Average download speed
109.8 Mbps

20.21% lower than national average
Ranks 41st nationally

Average upload speed
65.9 Mbps

10.86% higher than national average
Ranks 13th nationally
Compare your speed to the Iowa average with our Speed Test.
If you’re looking for additional information about HighSpeedInternet.com or the products, services and trends we write about, please reach out to us at press@highspeedinternet.com.

Fastest internet providers in Iowa

Provider Avg download speed Avg upload speed Availability Order online
Google Fiber 227.21 Mbps 196 Mbps 58.73% View Plans for Google Fiber
Cox Communications 219.47 Mbps 22.9 Mbps 95.98% View Plans for Cox Communications
MetroNet 196.06 Mbps 191.85 Mbps 52.22% View Plans for MetroNet
Xtream Powered by Mediacom 179.33 Mbps 30.64 Mbps 88.27%
Cedar Falls Utilities 159.94 Mbps 155 Mbps 94.95% View Plans for Cedar Falls Utilities
98% of people in Iowa have access to 100Mbps or faster broadband, ranking 35th nationally.

Internet by tech type

Internet tech type Avg download speed % of people with access % availability Learn more
5G Home 245 Mbps 92.65% 85.36% See all providers for 5G Home
Cable 369.43 Mbps 88.72% 88.46% See all providers for Cable
DSL 658.44 Mbps 72.74% 83.3% See all providers for DSL
Fiber 703.8 Mbps 80.58% 69.57% See all providers for Fiber
Fixed Wireless 113.79 Mbps 88.02% 78.35% See all providers for Fixed Wireless
Satellite 100 Mbps 97.64% 100% 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
Altoona 209.71 Mbps 59.69 Mbps 71% Xtream Powered by Mediacom
Clinton 207.44 Mbps 36.5 Mbps 11% Xtream Powered by Mediacom
Ankeny 202.01 Mbps 141.47 Mbps 54% MetroNet
Coralville 196.02 Mbps 103.48 Mbps 50% MetroNet
Waterloo 172.46 Mbps 44.71 Mbps 90% MetroNet
Council Bluffs 163.46 Mbps 98.02 Mbps 66% Cox Communications
Marshalltown 163.32 Mbps 32.67 Mbps 93% Aureon
Cedar Falls 161.2 Mbps 149.29 Mbps 95% Cedar Falls Utilities

Altoona 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. Clinton and Ankeny 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 223,387 100% 100% 100%
Cedar Rapids 140,188 100% 100% 100%
Sioux City 86,112 100% 100% 100%
Dubuque 73,951 100% 100% 100%
Davenport 104,793 99% 53% 99%
Urbandale 45,711 100% 100% 100%
Waterloo 69,569 100% 63% 100%
West Des Moines 62,168 100% 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: 223,387

Median income: $66,128

118.53 Mbps
avg. download speed

84.4 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

Fastest ISP
Google Fiber

Cedar Rapids

Population: 140,188

Median income: $76,325

126.59 Mbps
avg. download speed

34.1 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

Fastest ISP
ATC Communications

Davenport

Population: 104,793

Median income: $55,790

111.32 Mbps
avg. download speed

107.49 Mbps
avg. upload speed

99.42% have access to high speed internet

52.92% have access to fiber internet

99.42% have access to 3 or more providers

Fastest ISP
MetroNet

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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.

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