How Much Is Starlink in My Area, Really?

Starlink plays by its own rules in the world of satellite internet service—especially when making changes. From increasing and decreasing prices and equipment costs to revamping plan offerings, adding and removing waitlists, and irregular congestion fees—it can be hard to figure out exactly what it will cost you.

With all the constant changes and uncertainties that seem to come and go with Starlink, the big question now is what’s the actual price of Starlink? Well, we hate to say it, but it really depends. The main factor that will impact your Starlink service costs will be your location. Certain areas might have special promotions and discounts, while others have costly congestion fees. On top of all that, Starlink, at times, deploys changes unexpectedly and without notice. But we can help break the cost and variables down to Starlink’s current pricing and plan lineup.

Growing pains and innovation mean less price reliability

Starlink aims to fill the need for a fast and reliable satellite internet service—specifically for rural areas and portable internet for travel. While other satellite internet providers have been content with maintaining the same technology, Starlink constantly pushes for innovation and a complete overhaul of the satellite internet industry, which comes with its own benefits and challenges.

It’s common for internet service providers to update plans and prices a few times throughout the year without it being considered irregular. However, Starlink is on the other side of the spectrum with what seems like nonstop changes.

Starlink has created a wide variety of plan options with global availability that its competitors just can’t compete with—all within a few years. And as great as that is, we still need to know: What’s going on with Starlink’s pricing? To figure that out, let’s check out Starlink’s most recent changes.

So, what’s changed in the last 30 days?

Let’s take a look at the most recent changes Starlink has made throughout April and May of 2025.

Removing waitlists but adding a $250 or $500 demand surcharge

One of the biggest moves made by Starlink was removing its pesky waitlist. This exciting news was fizzled by the demand surcharge that more than doubled for some—costing as much as $250 for near-capacity areas. This demand surcharge goes up to a whopping $500 in some parts of Washington and Oregon—but it appears aimed towards urban and suburban areas, like Seattle and Portland, where there are most likely other internet service options available anyway.

Starlink Mini price dropped by 50%, costing $299

Starlink discounts and promos are pretty sporadic, but we did see the price of the Starlink Mini drop down from $499 to $299 in the U.S. Even though the discount was only valid for a few weeks and ended on May 28, 2025, we are glad to see Starlink’s high equipment costs decrease, even temporarily.

Expansion of more affordable $80 Residential Lite plan

Starlink also branched out the availability of the Residential Lite plan to over 30 states across the U.S. in May. At $80 per month, the Residential Lite plan is Starlink’s most affordable plan yet. Even though the plan is deprioritized during peak hours, it’s significantly cheaper than the Residential plan and a great option for smaller households with less internet usage looking to get Starlink at the lowest price possible.

Starlink Standard kit for $0 with a 12-month service commitment

Starlink doesn’t require contracts with its plans, but depending on where you live, you can get the Starlink Standard Kit for as low as $0 if you sign up for a Residential service plan for 12 months. That’s a solid deal if you’re lucky enough to live in one of the eligible areas.

It’s important to be aware of how much Stanklink’s prices vary and how fast changes happen, but we need to take a look at what Starlink costs without all the limited promos that come and go. Let’s look at standard prices and fees for Starlink Personal plans.

Initial costs and one-time fees

Let’s assume you live in an area with no special deals or promotions and with all the required one-time fees. We’ll break down all the charges you might face so you can get an estimate of what Starlink will cost. If it turns out you don’t have to pay these fees or qualify for a discount, it’ll be a sweet surprise!

Equipment costs

First, you need to have Starlink’s equipment in order to sign up for a plan. The Starlink Standard Kit for the Residential and Residential Lite plans costs $349, but some areas have a rental option, and price may vary.

If you are looking to get a Roam plan, the Starlink Mini normally costs $499—but you can purchase a used Mini for cheaper or find it on sale through other retailers.

One-time fees

Here’s a list of some one-time fees you might see during checkout, excluding taxes and other government fees.

• Shipping and handling (varies based on location and kit purchased)
• Up to $250 demand surcharge in high-demand areas (varies based on location, service plan chosen, the Starlink kit selected)
• Optional professional installation, only available in select areas
• Outside Region Fee of $200 (in U.S.) if Starlink kit is activated outside the intended region when it was sold or purchased from an unauthorized reseller

The current price range for equipment and initial fees will vary, but you could pay as much as $749 if you get a Starlink Mini and must pay a $250 demand surcharge.

Extra accessories

There are also quite a few accessories and mounts you can purchase to add if you are looking to maximize your equipment. Take a look at the options:

Residential Starlink Standard Kit accessories:

• Pivot mount: $74
• Wall mount: $67
• Pipe adapter: $38
• Router mini: $40

Roam Starlink Mini accessories:

• Car adapter: $45
• Roof rack mount: $27
• Mobility mount: $22

Flexible service plans

Starlink boasts flexible service plans you can cancel at any time.

If you opt for a Roam plan, you can even pause service temporarily. You can reactivate both the Roam and Residential plans—though not in all areas for Residential. You won’t see any price hikes or contracts with Starlink either.

You can currently try out Starlink for 30 days and get a full refund if you aren’t happy with Starlink’s service or speeds.

The only major change to Starlink’s plans recently has been the addition of the Residential Lite plan in certain states. Take a look at Starlink’s current lineup of Residential plans available:

Starlink may be constantly changing, but its value remains

All in all, you are looking at anywhere from as low as $0 to a whopping $749 or more for just the bare-bone basics to start your Starlink service—plus an additional $50 to $165 for the plan you choose. But even after all the recent changes and high initial costs, Starlink still provides a better long-term value compared to other satellite and DSL internet providers.

Starlink doesn’t require a contract like other satellite internet providers and you won’t experience price hikes either. You won’t have to worry about leasing equipment or paying rental fees if you purchase your Starlink equipment. It’s tough to beat Starlink’s lower latency and faster speeds—speeds that even beat some wired DSL options—in places with scarce internet provider options.

Check out Starlink’s everyday deals!

Ready to try Starlink?

No matter how you slice it, Starlink is still a great option if you live in a rural area or need portable internet on the go—even with all the recent changes. If you live in an urban area where DSL is the only option, Starlink might be worth the investment. If you’ve been looking to get Starlink and like the prices you see, now’s your chance to snag it before we’re hit with yet another change.

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