According to a synthesis of industry reports and consumer data accessible as of early 2025, the average cost of cable TV in the United States in 2024 settled at about $147 per month.
Representing a considerable increase caused by price hikes, new surcharges, and stubbornly high programming costs. This number is a sharp increase over previous years, highlighting the financial strains driving millions of people to cancel their cable as cable companies fight to keep customers in an era dominated by streaming.
According to a January 2023 U.S. News article, data estimates the average monthly cable bundle cost in 2022 was $217.42, which included bundled services like phone and internet. However, the average cable TV cost increased by $15 per month in 2024, bringing the total to almost $230.
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However, as major providers like Comcast’s Xfinity, Charter’s Spectrum, and DIRECTV implemented many price increases—some as high as $15 to $20 monthly—this baseline grew during 2024, bringing the cost of a standalone TV closer to reality. According to a January 2025 Cord Cutters News post, Xfinity and Spectrum raises averaged between $10 and $15, and DIRECTV’s second 2024 increase in October added an additional $10, making regular bills significantly more than promotional rates.
When hidden fees like broadcast surcharges (up to $25.75 at Spectrum), equipment rentals ($12.50–$15 per box), and regional sports fees were taken into account, the average standalone cable TV package cost about $83 in 2023. By late 2024, however, the true cost for a mid-tier package (150–200 channels) was closer to $147, which was in line with CordCutting.com’s 2022 finding of a 52% increase from $96 in 2019 to $147 in 2022. This trend continued into 2024 despite inflation and two rounds of hikes from industry giants like Spectrum in January and July of 2024.
In 2024, cable lost 6.5 to 7 million customers, bringing the total number of homes from 72.2 million to 68.7 million. Customers objected, blaming providers for infrastructure upgrades and rising content costs (ESPN alone charges $8 per subscriber per month). According to user reviews on Reddit’s r/cordcutters, a typical Xfinity mid-tier plan began at $60–$80 during a promotion but skyrocketed to $130–$160 with fees. Meanwhile, Spectrum’s TV Select increased from $59.99 to over $140 with add-ons by the end of the year.
Even while those streaming options also increased in 2024, the $147 average—roughly $1,764 per year—stands in stark contrast to alternatives like YouTube TV ($72.99) or Sling TV ($40). You can end up spending more than $2,700 annually if you choose the TV and internet bundle. All of this is contributing to a cord-cutting frenzy, leaving providers reeling as consumers rush to more affordable, flexible alternatives.
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