Astound vs. Xfinity in Boston
The two cable companies most Boston-area apartments can choose between, compared plan by plan.
For 1 Gig, Astound is cheaper: $40/mo for a year, or $45 locked for as long as you keep the plan, versus $70 at Xfinity with a 5-year guarantee. Xfinity is better on lower tiers (no data cap on new plans) and on uploads. If Verizon Fios reaches your building, check it first: fiber beats both on upload speed.
What matters most to you?
Side by side
Astound wins on price and top speed. Xfinity wins on availability, upload speed, data caps and WiFi equipment.
From each provider's site and our reviews, checked Oct 5, 2026; availability from FCC data as of Dec 31, 2025. 2-year cost is 24 monthly payments plus equipment. Taxes and fees extra.
Which to pick
- You want 1 Gig: Astound. $45 with Price for Life beats Xfinity's $70, and 1 Gig on Astound has no data cap.
- You upload a lot (video calls, backups, streaming to Twitch): Xfinity, with up to 300 Mbps up against Astound's 50. Or fiber, if you can get it.
- You want a long price lock: both have one. Xfinity locks 5 years; Astound's Price for Life lasts as long as you keep the same plan. How Price for Life works.
What about Fios and Starry?
Verizon Fios covers much of Greater Boston and gives nearly symmetrical fiber speeds, but many Boston and Somerville apartment buildings aren't wired for it. Starry ($30–45/mo, locked 3 years), which sells fixed wireless to apartment buildings, is now part of Verizon. Check your exact address: see what reaches your ZIP.
Questions
Is Astound or Xfinity cheaper in Boston?
Astound, at both ends: 150 Mbps for $19.95, and 1 Gig for $40 for a year or $45 with Price for Life, against $70 at Xfinity. At 300 Mbps, Xfinity's $45 plan has no data cap, while Astound's 300 Mbps tier is capped at 400 GB.
Is Astound the same as RCN in Boston?
Yes. RCN is now Astound Broadband. Same network, new name. More on the rename.
Does Xfinity have a data cap in Boston?
Not on new plans. Older Xfinity plans still carry a 1.2 TB cap, so check which plan you're on.
Which one is available in my building?
Check your exact address. Xfinity reaches nearly every Boston home, but Astound reaches 44%, and many apartment buildings are wired for one or the other. See what reaches your ZIP.
Sources (1)
- Plan pages and Broadband Facts labels from Astound Broadband, Xfinity, Verizon Fios, checked Oct 2026
Prices and offers change often; confirm at your address before you order. How we research
Jean founded ShopHighSpeed after trying to find one straight answer about business internet in his own town. He has been a Comcast and Verizon Fios customer, and ranks providers on what they actually deliver, not on what they advertise.
