What Is The Average Phone Bill Per Month In 2024?

From those feature-packed, hard-to-resist devices, to all the bells and whistles we need to stay connected, Americans love their devices. In fact, a recent Gallup poll found that more than 80% of adults keep their smartphone with them pretty much every waking hour¹. Whether it’s for work, play, shopping, running errands, or connecting with family and friends, two-thirds of those polled say they feel like smartphones have made their lives better. So, are we getting a lot of bang for our buck when it comes to monthly cell phone bills? Let’s take a look.

How much is a phone bill in 2024?

According to J.D. Power, the average phone bill is now $141 per month, which is actually down from $156 in 2023². So, that’s good news for gadget lovers far and wide. Still, every bit of savings can make a big impact, so here are five easy things you can do to get that bill even lower.

Consider AutoPay. Many carriers offer a discount when you sign up for AutoPay service, which simply means you allow them to automatically deduct payments from a debit card or linked bank account when it’s time to pay your bill. This can add up to quite a bit of savings over time—so be sure to find out if AutoPay is an option on your plan.
Avoid data roaming fees. If you're traveling outside of your network's coverage area, roaming charges can really add up. While most major service providers no longer have roaming charges for travel within the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, roaming fees still apply when traveling abroad. To avoid bill shock, check with your service provider before you travel to see what solutions are available. You may be able to opt for flat daily fees, sign up for an international plan, or use an eSIM or portable hotspot.
Share a plan with family/friends. When it comes to saving on your monthly phone bill, the more the merrier. So, if you don’t have immediate family that you can share a plan with, consider sharing with friends. Having one plan with five friends and divvying up the cost, for example, is cheaper overall than what it would cost to have five separate plans. (Just be sure you trust those friends to pay up when the bill comes!)
Shop around for phone deals. Sure, it’s great to have that brand-new flagship phone the minute it hits the market. But since many of us roll the price of our devices into our cell phone plans, it can really add up. By holding off just a little, you can still get an amazing phone packed with features at a fraction of the cost. Consider waiting to purchase your new iPhone, Samsung, Google Pixel or other device after the latest models come out so you can get a deal on the previous generation. Chances are, they’re still packed with advanced features, but at a much-lower price than the brand-new models. You may even find a great deal on the shiny new models if you stay in-the-know about the latest offers before making a purchase.
Know how much your trade in is worth. Before you start shopping, get a quick trade-in value estimate to see how much you’ll get towards a new device. It’s usually as easy as going to the trade-in page on your carrier’s website and entering your phone’s 15-digit IMEI number. Then you just ship your old phone for free or bring it to your local retailer to cash-in on your device credit.

While what we pay for our cell phone bills seems to be on a much-appreciated downward slope, there are still plenty of things you can do to save money. Want to learn more?

You might also be interested in:

^Sources: