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Astound vs Xfinity in Cambridge
Astound undercuts Xfinity on price at $20 versus $40, but only reaches about 43% of Cambridge, while Xfinity covers nearly the entire city.
Xfinity is the stronger all-around pick in Cambridge: it covers essentially the whole city, hits up to 2,000/300 Mbps where available, and earns a 99/100 speed score. But it starts at $40/mo, double Astound’s $20 promo rate. Astound is the value play if you can get it—it reaches only about 43% of the city, tops out at 1,500/50 Mbps, and scores a respectable 82/100. Get Xfinity for reliability and top speed; grab Astound if it’s available on your block and you want to pay less.
At a glance
Astound vs. Xfinity, side by side.
| Provider | Type | Top speed | City coverage | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astound |
Cable | 1 Gig 50 Mbps upload |
43% | $20/mo | Budget-friendly |
| Xfinity |
Cable | 2 Gig 300 Mbps upload |
100% | $40/mo | Fastest plans here |
Coverage map
Two different questions, two views. Top speed shows who offers the faster plan where you can actually get it. Coverage shows who reaches more of each ZIP. Or pick a single provider to see just its footprint.
Neighborhood breakdown
Because both are cable providers, the winner can change block to block in Cambridge. Xfinity reaches nearly every address citywide, while Astound serves only about 43% of the city, so many neighborhoods effectively have Xfinity as the only option. Always run your exact address before assuming Astound is available.
| ZIP | Neighborhoods | Coverage | Top speed | Speed Score | Winner | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astound | Xfinity | Astound | Xfinity | Astound | Xfinity | |||
| 02139 | Central Square, Cambridgeport, The Port, MIT | 15% | 100% | 1 Gig | 2 Gig | 69 | 99 | Xfinity |
| 02138 | Harvard Square, West Cambridge, Agassiz, Brattle Street | 21% | 100% | 1 Gig | 2 Gig | 70 | 99 | Xfinity |
| 02140 | Porter Square, North Cambridge, West Cambridge, Fresh Pond | 50% | 99% | 1 Gig | 2 Gig | 76 | 99 | Xfinity |
| 02141 | East Cambridge, Wellington-Harrington, Lechmere | 21% | 97% | 1 Gig | 2 Gig | 70 | 99 | Xfinity |
| 02142 | Kendall Square, MIT East Campus, Cambridge Center | 14% | 100% | 1 Gig | 2 Gig | 68 | 99 | Xfinity |
Speed Score (0–100) blends each provider’s coverage and top speed in that specific ZIP, so it moves as availability changes street to street.
Which is better for…
The right pick comes down to what you actually do online.
Get connected
Pick your provider and check availability at your address.
- 1 Gig down · 1 Gig up Fiber
- 1 Gig down · 50 Mbps up Cable
- 2 Gig down · 300 Mbps up Cable
- 2 Gig down · 300 Mbps up Fiber
- 1 Gig down · 35 Mbps up Fiber
See what’s actually available at your address
Coverage changes from one street to the next. Check your exact address in seconds.
Check my addressFrequently asked questions
is astound available in my area of cambridge or is it xfinity only?
Astound covers about 43% of Cambridge, while Xfinity reaches nearly 100%, so in many neighborhoods Xfinity is your only cable option. Enter your exact street address on each provider’s site to confirm which service actually reaches your block.
which is cheaper for cambridge internet, astound or xfinity?
Astound starts at $20/mo versus Xfinity’s $40/mo, making Astound the cheaper starting price where it’s available. Note both figures are promotional starting rates, so confirm the post-promo price, equipment fees, and any contract terms before you sign.
is astound or xfinity fast enough for gaming, working from home, and 4k?
Both are fast enough: Astound offers up to 1,500/50 Mbps (82/100 speed score) and Xfinity up to 2,000/300 Mbps (99/100) where available. If you upload a lot for work or gaming, Xfinity’s much higher upload is the better fit—otherwise Astound’s download is ample for 4K.