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Cox vs. Starry

Cox is now Spectrum. Your service, pricing and account remain the same.
Compare Spectrum and Starry

Whether you’re researching Cox vs. Starry 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: $30.00 - $125.00 / mo.
Speed: 100 - 2,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Cable, fiber, and fixed wireless
Rating (Reviews): (440)

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Starry
Price: $30.00 - $45.00 / mo.
Speed: 50 - 1,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (24)

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Cox and Starry compete directly in approximately 0.11% of their service areas, with Cox covering 23,775,587 people nationwide and Starry serving 8,906,320. Cox primarily delivers internet through a cable connection; Starry specializes in fiber connections. Jump directly to specific sections using the links below, or continue reading for our comprehensive comparison of Cox and Starry’s availability, speeds, pricing, and customer satisfaction.

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

Cox vs. Starry | 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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Starry Logo

Pros:

  • Fast upload speeds
  • Offers discounted intro pricing
  • Wide range of plan options
  • Highly rated by customers

Cons:

  • Limited service availability
  • Limited fiber availability
  • Contracts required for best pricing

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Cox vs. Starry | Availability

Cox and Starry 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 | Starry Available | No Coverage

Cox currently offers internet service in 1,145 cities and 161 counties across 19 states, reaching approximately 23,775,587 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Phoenix, AZ; San Diego, CA; and Las Vegas, NV. By comparison, Starry serves 8,906,320 residents in 109 cities and 22 counties in 8 states, with a presence in population centers such as New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA; and Brooklyn, NY.

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..

Starry is prominent in nationwide with service to 0 cities and 0 zip codes. With a Rural Coverage Ratio of 0, Starry focuses heavily on urban areas, with limited service available in rural communities.

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

Cox vs. Starry | Speeds & Technology

Cox and Starry 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 0.0% of their customers. They also offer fiber to less than 1% of their coverage area. Starry relies on fiber technology, which comprises 0.0% of their network, with fixed wireless 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 1,980 Mbps compared to Starry’s average speed of 347 Mbps. When examining their overlapping service areas, Cox delivers faster speeds in 100.00% of locations where both providers operate, similar speeds in 0.00%, and slower speeds in 0.00%.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. Cox’s premium Cable service reaches 93.5% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Starry’s top-tier Fiber is available to 1.2% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

Cox vs. Starry | Plans & Pricing

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Cox and Starry, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table.

Provider representatives can send plan or pricing updates through our contact page; verified changes publish shortly after review.

Cox Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Spectrum Internet 100$30.00 ($50.00 after 12 months)100 Mbps10 MbpsCable
Spectrum Internet 500$40.00 ($85.00 after 12 months)500 Mbps10 MbpsCable
Spectrum Internet 1 Gig$60.00 ($105.00 after 12 months)1000 Mbps35 MbpsCable
Spectrum Internet 2 Gig$80.00 ($125.00 after 12 months)2000 Mbps1000 MbpsCable

Sourced directly from Cox's FCC-mandated machine-readable broadband label data, last verified September 2026. These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.

Cox Plans

Starry Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Starry 200$30.00200 Mbps50 MbpsFixed Wireless
Starry 500$40.00500 Mbps50 MbpsFixed Wireless
Starry Gigabit$45.001000 Mbps250 MbpsFixed Wireless

Sourced from pricing published on Starry's official website, last verified June 2026. These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.

Starry 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. Starry | Customer Ratings & Reviews

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

When comparing customer satisfaction, Cox earns an overall rating of 3.18 / 5 stars from 445 customer reviews, while Starry maintains a 4.24 / 5 rating from 25 reviews. Starry outperforms Cox by 1.1 points in overall satisfaction. Cox’s best-rated service is their Fiber offering at 3.42 / 5 stars, compared to Starry’s highest-rated service, Fixed Wireless, at 4.24 / 5 stars.

Cox Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 3.42 of 5 stars

(53)

Cable

Cable: 3.15 of 5 stars

(392)

Cox has an overall rating of 3.18 out of 5, with a total of 445 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 (88% of reviews) averages 3.15 / 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.

Starry Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fixed Wireless

Fixed Wireless: 4.24 of 5 stars

(25)

Starry has an overall rating of 4.24 out of 5, with a total of 25 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them higher than other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into Starry’s ratings, their Fixed Wireless service (100% of reviews) averages 4.24 / 5 stars, equal to 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 Starry Internet Reviews page.

Cox vs. Starry | 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

Professional Installation

$100

Standard Activation

$25

Deposit for Pano Wifi Gateway

$50.00 per device based on credit

Equipment Deposit

Varies Based on Credit

Gateway Activation

$99

Panoramic Wifi

$15

Starry Service

Fee

Not Provided by Starry

Fees vary by plan and location. The fees shown apply to most plans; check with the provider for costs specific to your plan.

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. Starry | Top Cities

Cox serves 1,145 cities while Starry is available in 109 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.

Cox Cities

Phoenix, AZ
  • Availability: 93.02%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,975 Mbps
San Diego, CA
  • Availability: 70.17%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,991 Mbps
Las Vegas, NV
  • Availability: 96.75%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,996 Mbps
Virginia Beach, VA
  • Availability: 85.50%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,993 Mbps
Washington, DC
  • Availability: 19.23%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,999 Mbps

Overlapping Cities

Washington, DC
  • Cox Avg. Speed: 1,999 Mbps
  • Starry Avg. Speed: 363 Mbps
Falls Church, VA
  • Cox Avg. Speed: 2,000 Mbps
  • Starry Avg. Speed: 527 Mbps
Alexandria, VA
  • Cox Avg. Speed: 2,000 Mbps
  • Starry Avg. Speed: 300 Mbps
Huntington, VA
  • Cox Avg. Speed: 2,000 Mbps
  • Starry Avg. Speed: 300 Mbps
Lincolnia, VA
  • Cox Avg. Speed: 2,000 Mbps
  • Starry Avg. Speed: 300 Mbps

Starry Cities

New York, NY
  • Availability: 24.21%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 331 Mbps
Los Angeles, CA
  • Availability: 18.49%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 351 Mbps
Brooklyn, NY
  • Availability: 62.08%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 327 Mbps
Manhattan, NY
  • Availability: 88.98%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 334 Mbps
Bronx, NY
  • Availability: 69.36%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 337 Mbps