Top 10 Metropolitan Cities with the Fastest Internet Speeds
Welcome to our ranking of the top 10 Metropolitan Cities with the fastest internet speeds. Unlike other lists, our rankings are based on a unique and rigorous methodology that provides a fair and accurate comparison of internet speeds across different city sizes. For a detailed explanation of our methodology and why it stands out from other rankings, click here.
| Ranking | Metropolitan City | Internet Speed for Most Residents | ISP Report Card | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salt Lake City, UT (pop: 1,257,936) | 7,215 Mbps | A | ||
| 2 | Bronx, NY (pop: 1,472,654) | 6,731 Mbps | A | ||
| 3 | Hartford, CT (pop: 1,213,531) | 6,201 Mbps | B+ | ||
| 4 | Kansas City, MO (pop: 2,192,035) | 6,156 Mbps | A- | ||
| 5 | Brooklyn, NY (pop: 2,736,074) | 5,377 Mbps | A | ||
| 6 | Tampa, FL (pop: 3,175,275) | 5,327 Mbps | B+ | ||
| 7 | New York, NY (pop: 20,081,935) | 4,999 Mbps | A- | ||
| 8 | Raleigh, NC (pop: 1,413,982) | 4,679 Mbps | A- | ||
| 9 | Riverside, CA (pop: 4,599,839) | 4,569 Mbps | B | ||
| 10 | Rochester, NY (pop: 1,065,361) | 4,566 Mbps | B |
Why Internet Speed Matters
High-speed internet is crucial for a city's growth and residents' quality of life. Our ranking of the top 10 Metropolitan Cities with the fastest internet speeds offers valuable insights for businesses, residents, and policymakers, highlighting cities where investments in connectivity are paying off.
Understanding these rankings can help you make informed decisions about where to live, work, and invest, ensuring reliable and fast internet access.
What is a Metropolitan City?
Metropolitan cities are defined as those with populations over a million residents. They feature robust economies with diverse advanced industries and extensive infrastructure, including multiple modes of transportation. Their world-class healthcare and educational institutions attract global talent and provide comprehensive services. These cities offer international cultural amenities and extensive recreational facilities. Civic engagement is high, supported by diverse interests and advocacy, with industries ranging from finance to technology and manufacturing.
Interested in the rankings for other city sizes? You can find them here:
Rankings Methodology
Our rankings are based on a robust and detailed methodology that ensures accurate and fair comparisons of internet speeds across various city sizes.
Methodology Overview: Click to Expand
- Granular Data Analysis: Using block-level data to capture detailed variations in internet speeds.
- Weighted Max Download Speed (WMD): Calculated by weighting maximum speeds by the population of each block, giving a realistic measure of what most residents can expect.
- Precise Comparative Framework:
- City Size Tiers: Categorizing cities into six tiers based on population for fair comparisons:
- Metropolitan City: 1,000,000+ residents
- Major City: 500,000 – 999,999 residents
- Large City: 250,000 – 499,999 residents
- Medium City: 100,000 – 249,999 residents
- Small City: 50,000 – 99,999 residents
- Suburban / Regional City: 25,000 – 49,999 residents
- Sophisticated Boundary Definitions: Using precise urban boundaries and multiple levels of city definitions to avoid broad classifications like MSAs, providing accurate and meaningful comparisons.
- Data Sources and Reliability: Utilizing FCC data reported by ISPs with statistical methods to address potential biases. Current ranking uses the May 27, 2025 FCC update, which is based on the Broadband Data Collection as of December 31, 2024.
For a detailed explanation of our methodology and why it stands out from other rankings, click here.
Detailed Rankings of the Top 10 Metropolitan Cities
Below, you'll learn more about the top metropolitan cities found in our rankings, why these cities made the list, and other metrics related to their digital connectivity.
1. Salt Lake City, UT
| Average Internet Speed | 7,215 Mbps | Population | 1,257,936 |
| ISP Report Card | A | Fiber Coverage | 87% |
| Digital Connectivity Index | 86 / 100 | Number of ISPs | 17 |
Salt Lake City tops our list with an average internet speed of 7,215 Mbps. With a population of approximately 1.25 million, it benefits from a service-based economy attracting companies like Amazon, Goldman Sachs, and Overstock.com. The city boasts 99% coverage, with 87% fiber coverage and 97% cable coverage, supported by 17 ISPs, offering residents competitive options.
The city's strong educational sector, including the University of Utah, Westminster College, and Brigham Young University, drives significant internet demand. With about 18% of the population enrolled in school and a median household income of nearly $104,418, Salt Lake City sees substantial investment in internet infrastructure.
To see all providers, please visit our internet providers in Salt Lake City, UT page.
2. Bronx, NY
| Average Internet Speed | 6,731 Mbps | Population | 1,472,654 |
| ISP Report Card | A | Fiber Coverage | 98% |
| Digital Connectivity Index | 52 / 100 | Number of ISPs | 6 |
Bronx, NY, delivers an average internet speed of 6,731 Mbps to its 1,472,654 residents, supported by 6 ISPs and earning an ISP report card grade of A. With fiber coverage reaching 98% of households and a digital connectivity index of 52 / 100, the borough combines near-universal infrastructure availability with significant room to grow in adoption and affordability. Eighteen percent of the population is enrolled in school, and an average household income of $56,903 underscores diverse economic circumstances across its neighborhoods.
Anchored by a multifaceted economy—including healthcare (with major employers like Montefiore Medical Center and NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi), education (notably Bronx Community College and the Bronx’s robust public school system), as well as cultural tourism (Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Zoo, and the New York Botanical Garden)—the Bronx’s high-speed, largely fiber-powered network is poised to support both community well-being and continued economic revitalization.
To see all providers, please visit our internet providers in Bronx, NY page.
3. Hartford, CT
| Average Internet Speed | 6,201 Mbps | Population | 1,213,531 |
| ISP Report Card | B+ | Fiber Coverage | 90% |
| Digital Connectivity Index | 70 / 100 | Number of ISPs | 9 |
Hartford ranks third with an average internet speed of 6,201 Mbps. With a population of nearly 1.2 million, Hartford is home to major insurance companies like Aetna, Prudential, and The Hartford. The city boasts a fiber coverage of 90% and a Digital Connectivity Index of 70, supported by 9 ISPs.
The city's high median household income of $105,129 drives significant infrastructure investment, resulting in 91% of households having internet access, with 79% defined as broadband. Despite being the smallest city on our list, Hartford's robust internet speeds demonstrate that population size does not always correlate with internet quality.
To see all providers, please visit our internet providers in Hartford, CT page.
4. Kansas City, MO
| Average Internet Speed | 6,156 Mbps | Population | 2,192,035 |
| ISP Report Card | A- | Fiber Coverage | 90% |
| Digital Connectivity Index | 72 / 100 | Number of ISPs | 24 |
Kansas City offers an average internet speed of 6,156 Mbps and hosts the highest number of ISPs on our list, with 24 providers. Despite the high competition, most households have access to about 24 providers. The city's robust infrastructure includes 90% fiber coverage and 91% cable coverage, supporting its population of over 2 million.
Key institutions like the IRS service center and the Federal Reserve Bank drive significant demand for fast internet. Kansas City's median household income of $94,882 further supports investment in high-speed internet infrastructure, ensuring residents have access to reliable internet services.
To see all providers, please visit our internet providers in Kansas City, MO page.
5. Brooklyn, NY
| Average Internet Speed | 5,377 Mbps | Population | 2,736,074 |
| ISP Report Card | A | Fiber Coverage | 96% |
| Digital Connectivity Index | 66 / 100 | Number of ISPs | 9 |
Brooklyn, NY, delivers an average internet speed of 5,377 Mbps to its 2,736,074 residents, supported by 9 ISPs and earning an ISP report card grade of A. With fiber coverage reaching 96% of households and a digital connectivity index of 66 / 100, Brooklyn pairs a robust infrastructure backbone with solid adoption and affordability. Fifteen percent of the population is enrolled in school, and an average household income of $87,796 underpins strong demand for high-speed services.
Anchored by a diverse economy—including technology and startup hubs in neighborhoods like DUMBO, creative and media industries in Williamsburg, healthcare systems such as NYU Langone’s Brooklyn facilities, higher education institutions like Brooklyn College and NYU Tandon School of Engineering, and thriving retail and dining corridors—Brooklyn’s high-speed, mostly fiber-powered network is well positioned to fuel continued innovation, economic growth, and an enhanced quality of life across its many vibrant communities.
To see all providers, please visit our internet providers in Brooklyn, NY page.
6. Tampa, FL
| Average Internet Speed | 5,327 Mbps | Population | 3,175,275 |
| ISP Report Card | B+ | Fiber Coverage | 77% |
| Digital Connectivity Index | 74 / 100 | Number of ISPs | 11 |
Tampa boasts an average internet speed of 5,327 Mbps. With a population of nearly 3.2 million, Tampa covers 99% of homes with internet, 77% of which is fiber and 98% is cable. The city’s popularity, especially as a top migration destination in Q2 of 2022, drives its infrastructure investments.
Despite having nearly the lowest median household income on our list at $81,905, Tampa's competitive ISP market with 11 providers ensures residents have access to high-speed internet options. The city's growing population and increasing infrastructure investment support its position among the top metropolitan cities for internet speed.
To see all providers, please visit our internet providers in Tampa, FL page.
7. New York, NY
| Average Internet Speed | 4,999 Mbps | Population | 20,081,935 |
| ISP Report Card | A- | Fiber Coverage | 93% |
| Digital Connectivity Index | 75 / 100 | Number of ISPs | 11 |
New York City has an average internet speed of 4,999 Mbps. Despite being the most populous city on this list, its extensive infrastructure supports a high fiber coverage of 93%. The city's Digital Connectivity Index of 75 is supported by its status as a global financial and cultural hub, attracting a wide range of industries that demand high-speed internet.
New York's diverse economy, which includes finance, technology, media, and education, drives significant investment in internet infrastructure. The city's median household income of around $112,087 supports this investment. The high number of educational institutions, such as New York University and Columbia University, also contribute to the demand for robust internet services.
To see all providers, please visit our internet providers in New York, NY page.
8. Raleigh, NC
| Average Internet Speed | 4,679 Mbps | Population | 1,413,982 |
| ISP Report Card | A- | Fiber Coverage | 82% |
| Digital Connectivity Index | 83 / 100 | Number of ISPs | 11 |
Raleigh's average internet speed of 4,679 Mbps ranks it second on our list. With a population of approximately 1.4 million, Raleigh benefits from a strong fiber coverage of 78% and has a Digital Connectivity Index of 83. The city is supported by 11 ISPs, offering residents a competitive market for internet services.
Raleigh is part of the Research Triangle, alongside major universities such as North Carolina State University, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This concentration of educational institutions drives significant internet demand and infrastructure investment. With a median household income of $107,802, Raleigh continues to attract investments in high-speed internet infrastructure.
To see all providers, please visit our internet providers in Raleigh, NC page.
9. Riverside, CA
| Average Internet Speed | 4,569 Mbps | Population | 4,599,839 |
| ISP Report Card | B | Fiber Coverage | 70% |
| Digital Connectivity Index | 79 / 100 | Number of ISPs | 14 |
Riverside, CA, delivers an average internet speed of 4,569 Mbps to its 4,599,839 residents, supported by 14 ISPs and earning an ISP report card grade of B. With fiber coverage reaching 70% of households and a digital connectivity index of 79 / 100, Riverside pairs a broad provider landscape with strong overall adoption—though there’s room to expand its fiber footprint.
Eighteen percent of the population is enrolled in school, and an average household income of $95,015 provides healthy demand for both residential and business services. Anchored by a diversified economy—including higher education (notably the University of California, Riverside), healthcare (with major employers like Riverside University Health System), government and public administration (as the seat of Riverside County), logistics and distribution (leveraging its Inland Empire location), and light manufacturing—Riverside’s growing broadband infrastructure is positioned to support sustained economic development and enhance quality of life across the region.
To see all providers, please visit our internet providers in Riverside, CA page.
10. Rochester, NY
| Average Internet Speed | 4,566 Mbps | Population | 1,065,361 |
| ISP Report Card | B | Fiber Coverage | 63% |
| Digital Connectivity Index | 62 / 100 | Number of ISPs | 10 |
Rochester, NY, delivers an average internet speed of 4,566 Mbps to its 1,065,361 residents, supported by 10 ISPs and earning an ISP report card grade of B. With fiber coverage reaching 63% of households and a digital connectivity index of 62 / 100, Rochester balances a broad provider landscape with solid—but improvable—adoption and affordability. Sixteen percent of the population is enrolled in school, and an average household income of $82,253 underpins healthy demand for enhanced broadband services.
Anchored by a diversified economy—including optics and imaging (with legacy and ongoing innovation from companies like Eastman Kodak and Corning), healthcare (notably UR Medicine and Rochester Regional Health), higher education (the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology), and advanced manufacturing—Rochester’s evolving broadband infrastructure is poised to support continued economic revitalization and quality-of-life improvements across the region.
To see all providers, please visit our internet providers in Rochester, NY page.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, our ranking of the top 10 Metropolitan Cities with the fastest internet speeds highlights the cities leading the way in internet infrastructure. These cities not only offer superior internet speeds but also demonstrate significant investments in connectivity that benefit businesses and residents.
Understanding these rankings can help inform decisions about where to live, work, and invest, ensuring that you stay connected in the most efficient and effective way possible. The robust methodology behind these rankings sets them apart from other lists, offering a unique and accurate perspective on internet speeds across different city sizes.
We encourage you to explore the detailed data further, leave reviews, and visit related articles on other city tiers to gain a comprehensive understanding of internet connectivity across the nation. Your feedback and experiences are valuable in continuing to improve and refine these rankings.