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AT&T vs Spectrum in Raleigh
Raleigh shoppers trade AT&T’s faster fiber uploads where available for Spectrum’s wider coverage and lower starting price.
Spectrum is Raleigh’s better overall pick because it reaches more homes, starts at a lower price, and delivers enough download speed for most households. AT&T wins on speed, with much stronger uploads where its fiber reaches your address. Spectrum wins on coverage and price, reaching about 91% of the city and starting at $30/mo versus AT&T’s $35/mo. Choose AT&T for demanding gaming, large uploads, or work from home if available; choose Spectrum for broader availability, everyday streaming, and simpler value.
At a glance
AT&T vs. Spectrum, side by side.
| Provider | Type | Top speed | City coverage | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T |
Fiber | 5 Gig 5 Gig upload |
89% | $35/mo | Solid fiber option |
| Spectrum |
Cable | 1 Gig 35 Mbps upload |
91% | $30/mo | Widest availability |
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
The better choice can shift from block to block because availability varies by address across Raleigh. AT&T’s fiber reaches about 60% of the city at 5,000/5,000 Mbps, while Spectrum’s cable reaches about 91% at 1,000/35 Mbps, so check both providers for your exact home.
| ZIP | Neighborhoods | Coverage | Top speed | Rank score | Winner | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | Spectrum | AT&T | Spectrum | AT&T | Spectrum | |||
| 27610 | Southeast Raleigh, Battery Heights, Rochester Heights, Worthdale | 78% | 92% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 74 | 49 | AT&T |
| 27603 | Fuller Heights, Renaissance Park, Swift Creek, Garner border area | 58% | 85% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 56 | 45 | AT&T |
| 27604 | Longview, Wilders Grove, Brentwood, Capital Boulevard | 80% | 88% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 76 | 47 | AT&T |
| 27616 | Northeast Raleigh, Wakefield, Forestville, Neuse | 71% | 94% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 68 | 50 | AT&T |
| 27613 | Leesville, Bayleaf, Stonehenge, Northwest Raleigh | 76% | 96% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 72 | 51 | AT&T |
| 27612 | Crabtree Valley, Umstead Park area, Lake Boone, Ramblewood | 71% | 95% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 68 | 51 | AT&T |
| 27606 | NC State University, Avent Ferry, Farrington Woods, Lake Johnson | 54% | 95% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 51 | 51 | Spectrum |
| 27614 | Wakefield, Falls River, Bedford, North Raleigh | 62% | 93% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 59 | 50 | AT&T |
| 27615 | North Ridge, Wakefield border, Bent Tree, Millbrook | 74% | 90% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 70 | 48 | AT&T |
| 27607 | Meredith College, Wade Avenue, Ridgewood, Reedy Creek | 70% | 88% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 67 | 47 | AT&T |
| 27617 | Brier Creek, Northwest Raleigh, Umstead area | 18% | 83% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 17 | 44 | Spectrum |
| 27601 | Downtown Raleigh, Moore Square, Shaw University, Chavis Heights | 61% | 69% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 58 | 37 | AT&T |
| 27609 | North Hills, Midtown, Drewry Hills, Anderson Heights | 80% | 90% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 76 | 48 | AT&T |
| 27608 | Five Points, Hayes Barton, Bloomsbury, Mordecai | 94% | 95% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 90 | 50 | AT&T |
| 27605 | Cameron Park, Glenwood South, Boylan Heights, Fred Fletcher Park | 80% | 96% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 76 | 51 | AT&T |
| 27602 | Downtown Raleigh (PO Boxes) | 45% | 53% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 43 | 28 | AT&T |
| 27611 | Southeast Raleigh (PO Boxes) | 45% | 53% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 43 | 28 | AT&T |
| 27628 | Central Raleigh (PO Boxes) | 96% | 99% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 91 | 52 | AT&T |
| 27619 | North Raleigh (PO Boxes) | 61% | 74% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 58 | 39 | AT&T |
| 27622 | West Raleigh (PO Boxes) | 61% | 74% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 58 | 39 | AT&T |
| 27629 | North Raleigh (PO Box ZIP) | 76% | 72% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 72 | 38 | AT&T |
| 27658 | North Raleigh (PO Box ZIP) | 41% | 63% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 39 | 33 | AT&T |
Rank score (0–100) is each provider’s Speed Score, discounted for weak upload, times the share of that ZIP it reaches — the same rule that orders providers on the Raleigh city page, 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.
- 5 Gig down · 5 Gig up Fiber
- 1 Gig down · 1 Gig up Fiber
- 100 Mbps down · 20 Mbps up Copper
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 AT&T or Spectrum available at my Raleigh address?
Spectrum reaches about 91% of Raleigh, while AT&T reaches about 89% across its technologies. AT&T’s 5,000/5,000 Mbps fiber tier reaches about 60% of the city, so availability can differ sharply by address; enter your exact address and confirm the available technology before choosing.
Which is cheaper in Raleigh, AT&T or Spectrum, and what will I actually pay?
Spectrum starts at $30/mo and AT&T starts at $35/mo; these are promotional starting rates. Confirm the post-promo rate, equipment fees, and any contract before signing so you know the actual cost.
Which is faster for gaming, work from home, or 4K streaming?
AT&T’s fiber reaches up to 5,000/5,000 Mbps across about 60% of Raleigh, while Spectrum’s cable reaches up to 1,000/35 Mbps across about 91% of the city. AT&T is faster where it reaches your address, especially for uploads, but check availability first and choose Spectrum if AT&T fiber is not offered.
More Raleigh comparisons
How Raleigh’s other qualifying providers stack up head-to-head.