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Cox vs. Mediacom

Whether you’re researching Cox vs. Mediacom internet service at your current address, comparing internet options for potential locations, or just researching alternatives, this detailed comparison will help you understand which provider best suits you.

Cox
Price: $50.00 - $150.00 / mo.
Speed: 100 - 2,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Cable, fiber, and fixed wireless
Rating (Reviews): (407)

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Mediacom
Price: $14.99 - $140.00 / mo.
Speed: 25 - 2,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Cable, fixed wireless, and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (84)

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Cox and Mediacom compete directly in approximately 0.42% of their service areas, with Cox covering 23,486,306 people nationwide and Mediacom serving 6,874,112. Cox primarily delivers internet through a cable connection; Mediacom specializes in cable connections. Jump directly to specific sections using the links below, or continue reading for our comprehensive comparison of Cox and Mediacom's availability, speeds, pricing, and customer satisfaction.

Jump to: Availability | Speeds | Plans & Pricing | Customer Reviews | Fees

Cox vs. Mediacom | Pros & Cons

Cox Logo

Pros:

  • Gigabit speeds available
  • Up-front month-to-month pricing
  • Wide range of plan options
  • No contracts required

Cons:

  • Limited service availability
  • Some plans may have data caps
  • Limited fiber availability

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Mediacom Logo

Pros:

  • Fast upload speeds
  • Offers discounted intro pricing
  • Wide range of plan options
  • Unlimited data

Cons:

  • Limited service availability
  • Limited fiber availability
  • Customers report dissatisfaction with pricing

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Cox vs. Mediacom | Availability

Cox and Mediacom have distinct coverage footprints across the United States. Our interactive map shows exactly where each provider offers service and where they overlap, helping you understand your options.

Both Providers Available | Cox Available | Mediacom Available | No Coverage

Cox currently offers internet service in 1,073 cities and 154 counties across 19 states, reaching approximately 23,486,306 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Phoenix, AZ; San Diego, CA; and Las Vegas, NV. By comparison, Mediacom serves 6,874,112 residents in 2,270 cities and 407 counties in 22 states, with a presence in population centers such as Des Moines, IA; Minneapolis, MN; and Springfield, MO.

Cox has particularly strong coverage nationwide, where they serve 0 cities and 0 zip codes. Their Rural Coverage Ratio of 5 indicates they focuses heavily on urban areas, with limited service available in rural communities..

Mediacom is prominent in nationwide with service to 0 cities and 0 zip codes. With a Rural Coverage Ratio of 32, Mediacom primarily serves urban areas, though still maintaining moderate rural availability.

Internet availability can vary significantly even within specific cities and zip codes. For the most accurate information about Cox and Mediacom at your location, use our address search tool:

Cox vs. Mediacom | Speeds & Technology

Cox and Mediacom utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.

Across their service areas, Cox primarily delivers internet through cable, available to 95.4% of their customers. They also offer fiber to 9.6% of their coverage area. Mediacom relies on cable technology, which comprises 97.7% of their network, with fiber available in less than 1% of their service locations.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, Cox offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 1,966 Mbps compared to Mediacom's average speed of 987 Mbps. When examining their overlapping service areas, Cox delivers faster speeds in 89.99% of locations where both providers operate, similar speeds in 10.01%, and slower speeds in 0.00%.

The availability of each provider's fastest technology varies significantly by location. Cox's premium Cable service reaches 95.4% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Mediacom's top-tier Fiber is available to 0.6% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

Cox vs. Mediacom | Plans & Pricing

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Cox and Mediacom, sourced directly from FCC-mandated machine-readable broadband labels to ensure transparency and accuracy. We've included both promotional and standard rates for each provider to give you a complete picture of what you'll pay over time. Plan availability and exact pricing may vary by location.

Cox Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Go Fast Internet$50.00117 Mbps12 MbpsCable
Go Faster Internet$70.00293 Mbps29 MbpsCable
Go Even Faster Internet$90.00587 Mbps56 MbpsCable
Go Super Fast Internet$120.001173 Mbps40 MbpsCable
Go Beyond Fast Internet$150.002046 Mbps2050 MbpsCable

Note: These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas.

Cox Plans

Mediacom Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Xtream Connect$14.99100 Mbps20 MbpsCable
Internet 250$49.99250 Mbps10 MbpsCable
Internet 500$50.00 ($99.99 after 12 months)500 Mbps20 MbpsCable
Internet 1 Gig$65.00 ($110.00 after 24 months)1000 Mbps50 MbpsCable
Internet 2 Gig$85.00 ($140.00 after 24 months)2000 Mbps100 MbpsCable

Note: These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas.

Mediacom Plans

Most households with 3-5 users need download speeds of at least 100 Mbps for smooth streaming, video conferencing, and everyday internet usage. Larger households or those with heavy users (gamers, 4K streamers, or remote workers) should consider plans with speeds of 300 Mbps or more for optimal performance.

Any prices listed are the base service rates and may not include additional charges such as equipment fees, installation costs, or other service-related expenses. For a comprehensive view of all potential charges, refer to our Fees & Details section below.

Cox vs. Mediacom | Customer Ratings & Reviews

Compare how real customers rate Cox and Mediacom based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.

When comparing customer satisfaction, Cox earns an overall rating of 3.17 / 5 stars from 407 customer reviews, while Mediacom maintains a 3.08 / 5 rating from 84 reviews. Cox outperforms Mediacom by 0.09 points in overall satisfaction. Cox's best-rated service is their fixed wireless offering at 3.90 / 5 stars, compared to Mediacom's highest-rated service, fiber, at 3.71 / 5 stars.

Cox Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 3.35 of 5 stars

49

Cable

Cable: 3.14 of 5 stars

339

DSL

DSL: 2.75 of 5 stars

4

Fixed Wireless

Fixed Wireless: 3.90 of 5 stars

10

Cox has an overall rating of 3.17 out of 5, with a total of 407 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them about on par with other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into Cox's ratings, their cable service (83% of reviews) averages 3.14 / 5 stars, higher than their overall company rating. This similarity suggests that customers tend to have consistent experiences across their different service offerings, an important consideration for customers evaluating different service options from this provider.

For detailed reviews, visit our Cox Internet Reviews page.

Mediacom Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 3.71 of 5 stars

7

Cable

Cable: 3.01 of 5 stars

68

DSL

DSL: 3.25 of 5 stars

4

Fixed Wireless

Fixed Wireless: 3.25 of 5 stars

4

Mediacom has an overall rating of 3.08 out of 5, with a total of 84 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them about on par with other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into Mediacom's ratings, their cable service (81% of reviews) averages 3.01 / 5 stars, higher than their overall company rating. This similarity suggests that customers tend to have consistent experiences across their different service offerings, an important consideration for customers evaluating different service options from this provider.

For detailed reviews, visit our Mediacom Internet Reviews page.

Cox vs. Mediacom | Fees & Details

Beyond advertised monthly rates, additional fees and service details significantly impact your total internet costs. The tables below outline equipment charges, installation fees, contract terms, data caps, and other important factors to consider when comparing these providers. Understanding these details helps you avoid unexpected costs and choose the plan that offers the best overall value.

Cox Service

Fee

Panoramic Wifi

15

Late Fee

0

Deposit for Pano Wifi Gateway

50.00 per device based on credit

Professional Installation

100

Self-Installation

0

Mediacom Service

Fee

Modem rental (if using Mediacom modem)

$14.00

Standard installation (professional)

Waived (free self-install)

When comparing internet providers, remember that advertised prices rarely tell the complete story. Equipment fees alone can add $10-15 per month to your bill, while installation charges, early termination fees, and data overage penalties can significantly increase your total cost of service. Consider these additional costs alongside monthly rates when determining which provider offers the better value for your specific needs.

Cox vs. Mediacom | Top Cities

Cox serves 1,073 cities while Mediacom is available in 2,270 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.

Cox Cities

Phoenix, AZ
  • Availability: 92.17%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,930 Mbps
San Diego, CA
  • Availability: 69.04%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,971 Mbps
Las Vegas, NV
  • Availability: 96.42%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,970 Mbps
Virginia Beach, VA
  • Availability: 84.98%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,989 Mbps
Washington, DC
  • Availability: 19.03%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,998 Mbps

Overlapping Cities

Phoenix, AZ
  • Cox Avg. Speed: 1,930 Mbps
  • Mediacom Avg. Speed: 1,000 Mbps
San Tan Valley, AZ
  • Cox Avg. Speed: 1,999 Mbps
  • Mediacom Avg. Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Virginia Beach, VA
  • Cox Avg. Speed: 1,989 Mbps
  • Mediacom Avg. Speed: 623 Mbps
Miramar Beach, FL
  • Cox Avg. Speed: 2,000 Mbps
  • Mediacom Avg. Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Santa Rosa Beach, FL
  • Cox Avg. Speed: 1,680 Mbps
  • Mediacom Avg. Speed: 1,000 Mbps

Mediacom Cities

Des Moines, IA
  • Availability: 89.89%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,001 Mbps
Minneapolis, MN
  • Availability: 6.26%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,014 Mbps
Springfield, MO
  • Availability: 95.65%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Columbus, GA
  • Availability: 81.97%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Cedar Rapids, IA
  • Availability: 98.79%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,000 Mbps