High-speed internet for every address
A guide to internet options for residents, homebuyers, and businesses, with real coverage data for every location.
Coverage at a glance
Percentage of Chicago addresses where each technology is available
How Chicago compares
Fiber availability vs. neighbors and nearby cities.
| CITY | FIBER % | |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | THIS REPORT | 32.7% |
| Glen Ellyn, IL | Suburb | 6.8% |
| Lombard, IL | Suburb | 48.5% |
| Wheaton, IL | Suburb | 43.5% |
| Naperville, IL | Suburb | 8.2% |
| Hinsdale, IL | Suburb | 70.1% |
Fiber % = residential addresses with fiber available
Cable internet: the reliable choice for most households
Chicago has excellent cable infrastructure. Xfinity and Astound Broadband cover virtually every address, offering speeds that handle video calls, 4K streaming, and multiple devices with ease.
What it delivers
- Speeds up to 2,000 Mbps download
- Available at 99.4% of addresses
- Multiple providers = competitive pricing
Good to know
- Upload speeds are slower (10-35 Mbps typical)
- Speeds can slow during peak evening hours
- Prices often increase after promo periods
Best for: families, streaming, remote work
5G home internet: the fast-growing alternative
12% of U.S. households now use 5G home internet, up from virtually zero in 2020. Getting started can be as easy as picking up a device from your local T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T store and plugging it into the wall at home. No technician visit, no drilling holes, no waiting for an appointment.
What it delivers
- Simple self-install, no technician
- Often $25-50/month (cheaper than cable)
- No contracts at most providers
- No data caps on most plans
Good to know
- Speeds vary by location (100-300 Mbps typical)
- Weather and network traffic can affect performance
- Not ideal for competitive gaming
Best for: budget-conscious, renters, cable company avoiders
Fiber: the gold standard, where available
Fiber-optic internet is the fastest and most reliable technology available. It delivers symmetrical speeds (upload = download) and doesn't slow down during peak hours. The catch? It's currently available at only 32.7% of Chicago addresses.
What it delivers
- Symmetrical speeds (upload = download)
- Up to 5,000 Mbps in some areas
- Best latency for gaming & video calls
Good to know
- Only 32.7% of addresses currently served
- May require installation appointment
- Premium pricing at higher tiers
Best for: power users, content creators, heavy uploaders
Which is right for you?
Family streaming
Reliable speeds for multiple devices
Remote worker
Consistent connection for video calls
Budget-conscious
Lowest monthly cost, no contracts
Gamer
Lowest latency, fastest uploads
Renter
No installation, take it when you move
Content creator
Fast uploads for video and streaming
Frequently asked questions
About this data
This report uses location-level data from the FCC Broadband Data Collection (June 2025), which shows service availability reported by internet providers for each address in the Chicago ZIP codes (60601, 60602, 60603, 60604, 60605, 60606, 60607, 60608, 60609, 60610, 60611, 60612, 60613, 60614, 60615, 60616, 60617, 60618, 60619, 60620, 60621, 60622, 60623, 60624, 60625, 60626, 60628, 60629, 60630, 60631, 60632, 60633, 60634, 60636, 60637, 60638, 60639, 60640, 60641, 60642, 60643, 60644, 60645, 60646, 60647, 60649, 60651, 60652, 60653, 60654, 60655, 60656, 60657, 60659, 60660, 60661).
This data is self-reported by ISPs to the FCC, so some information may be inaccurate. If you believe your address is incorrectly listed, you can file a challenge with the FCC.
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