Have you ever looked at your phone bill and thought, “Wait… why is it THIS much?” 

This guide breaks down the average monthly cost of a phone bill in the U.S. for one person, plus what really drives your price up (or down): your plan type, your data habits, the network you’re on, and all those sneaky “extras.”

Because yep — your monthly total can swing a lot depending on your choices.

Average Monthly Phone Bill for One Person in the U.S.

Let’s start with the big number.

According to J.D. Power, across the U.S., the average cellphone bill is around $141/month.

Most people will fall somewhere in this range:

• Budget MVNO plans: ~$15–$45/month (often prepaid; fewer perks; still uses major networks)
  
  
• Major carriers (one line): ~$50–$90+/month (postpaid; more perks; priority data; more add-ons available)

Why prices rise (even when you don’t do anything)

Averages can creep up because:

• Unlimited plans became the default, and they’re usually priced higher than limited-data plans
  
  
• Taxes/fees and “recovery fees” vary by state and carrier (and can change over time)
  
  
• Device payments quietly add $20–$40+ per month (sometimes more)

What Affects Your Monthly Phone Bill?

Your final monthly total is usually a combo of:

• plan type (prepaid vs postpaid)
  
  
• data amount (limited vs unlimited)
  
  
• network choice (major carrier vs MVNO)
  
  
• phone payment (financed vs paid off)
  
  
• taxes, fees, and add-ons

Let’s break those down.

Type of Plan (Prepaid vs. Postpaid)

Prepaid = you pay upfront for the month (or 3/6/12 months). Usually cheaper, fewer surprises.

Postpaid = you pay after you use service (classic carrier bill). Often more expensive, more “extras.”

If you’re still deciding between the two, here’s a simple breakdown of the pros/cons of prepaid vs. postpaid plans (and why your total monthly cost can look very different depending on which route you pick).

A big difference: postpaid bills are more likely to include extra fees and add-ons, while many prepaid plans keep it simpler. (Though prepaid can still have taxes/fees depending on the provider.)

Data Amount (Limited vs. Unlimited)

Data is one of the biggest price levers.

• Limited data plans are often cheaper (especially for light users), but pricing varies a ton by carrier.
  
  
• Unlimited plans are convenient… but often come with fine print like:
  
  
  • deprioritization (your speeds can slow when the network is busy)
    
    
  • premium data thresholds (faster data up to X GB, then slower after)

And yep—unlimited plans aren’t really unlimited in a lot of cases, so it’s worth understanding what you’re actually paying for before you upgrade “just in case.”

Unlimited is popular because it’s easy — no data anxiety — and it’s now the “default” offering at many carriers.

Network You’re On (Major Carrier vs. MVNO)

This one matters a lot.

• Major carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) usually cost more because you may get:
  
  
  • priority data
    
    
  • bigger hotspot buckets
    
    
  • more international perks
    
    
  • bundles/freebies (Netflix-style perks, etc.)
    
    
• MVNOs often cost less because they:
  
  
  • use major carrier networks
    
    
  • skip the expensive “extras”
    
    
  • keep operations lean (online-only, fewer stores)

If you’re curious why MVNOs can be so much cheaper without totally sacrificing coverage, this guide to switching to MVNOs breaks it down in plain English.

Examples:

• Mint (runs on T-Mobile’s network)
  
  
• Visible (runs on Verizon’s network)

Phone Payment vs. Phone Paid Off

This is the silent budget killer.

If you’re financing a phone, your “plan price” might look normal… but your bill total can jump fast once you add:

• a 24–36 month installment payment (common on major carriers)
  
  
• plus insurance, plus taxes/fees, plus maybe an upgrade program

Pro tip: when someone tells you their plan price, always ask:

• “Is that just service, or service + phone payment?”

Taxes, Fees & Add-Ons

Even if your plan is “$50/month,” your bill might not be.

Common extras include:

• government taxes and surcharges (often varies by address)
  
  
• carrier fees
  
  
• insurance
  
  
• international calling/roaming add-ons
  
  
• hotspot add-ons
  
  
• “premium perks” add-ons

Typical Phone Bill Examples by Carrier (1 Line)

Here are quick, real-world examples to show how big the gap can be between major carriers and MVNOs.

Promos change constantly, so treat these as “typical starting points,” not forever-prices.

How to Lower Your Phone Bill (Without Losing Coverage)

Here are easy wins that don’t require suffering (or living on airplane mode):

• Switch to an MVNO that uses the same network you already like (often the biggest savings)
  
  
• Use an eSIM free trial to test coverage before you switch
  
  
• Stop overpaying for data (most people either use way less… or way more… than they think)
  
  
• Grab autopay/paperless discounts (common on postpaid plans)
  
  
• Drop add-ons you don’t use (insurance, international, “premium perks”)
  
  
• Bring your own phone (avoids device financing and keeps your plan options wide open)

Phone Bill Comparison Table: Major Carriers vs. MVNOs

What Should Your Phone Bill Be? (Quick Decision Guide)

Light data users (Wi-Fi most of the time)

Target: ~$15–$30/month

Look for 5–15GB plans (or budget unlimited if promos are strong).

Average users (social, maps, some video)

Target: ~$25–$45/month

MVNO unlimited or mid-data plans are usually the sweet spot.

Heavy streamers (video + always on cellular)

Target: ~$35–$90+/month

You’ll want a plan with a decent premium data amount (or you may notice slowdowns).

Hotspot users (laptop, work, travel, no home internet)

Target: varies a lot

Hotspot limits are where “unlimited” gets extra fake, extra fast.

International travelers

Target: depends on travel perks

Google Fi-style flexibility can be great here, but compare total cost after taxes/fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average phone bill for one person?

About $141/month in the U.S., though many people can pay far less by choosing the right plan.

Is unlimited data worth it for one person?

Sometimes. If you stream a lot, use hotspot, or don’t want to track usage, unlimited can be worth it — just watch for deprioritization and premium-data limits.

Why is my phone bill so high?

Most common reasons:

• phone financing
  
  
• premium postpaid plan
  
  
• add-ons (insurance, hotspot, international)
  
  
• taxes/fees stacking up

How can I reduce my monthly phone bill?

Switch to an MVNO, right-size your data, remove add-ons, and avoid phone financing if possible.

Are prepaid phone plans cheaper?

Often yes — especially MVNO prepaid plans. They tend to be more straightforward, but taxes/fees can still apply.

How much does a phone payment add to your monthly bill?

Often $20–$40+ per month, depending on the phone and financing timeline.

What’s the cheapest phone plan for one person?

You can often find $15–$30/month options on MVNOs (especially with upfront pay or promos).