Add up all your streaming services and find out if cutting the cord actually saves money
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The average household pays $61/month across 4-5 streaming services — nearly matching a cable bill. Enter your cable bill and streaming subscriptions to see if you're actually saving by cutting the cord.
Built by Pierre — MBA, Business Strategist & AI Consultant, Founder of DayblipAbout the author →
Your Current Cable Bill
If your internet is already separate, set this to match your current internet cost
Your Streaming Services
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Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on how many streaming services you subscribe to. The average American household now pays for 4.5 streaming services at a combined cost of approximately $60-80 per month — often rivaling cable costs. If you have Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, and Amazon Prime the combined monthly cost is approximately $65 before any internet upgrade costs. Cable bundles average $85-120 per month. The savings depend heavily on your specific subscriptions.
The average American household spends approximately $61 per month on streaming services according to a 2024 JD Power survey — up from $47 in 2022. With an average of 4-5 active subscriptions households are experiencing what researchers call subscription creep — the gradual accumulation of streaming services that collectively approach or exceed cable costs.
To cut cable you need a reliable internet connection (at least 25 Mbps for streaming, 100 Mbps for 4K or multiple simultaneous streams), a streaming device (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or smart TV), and your chosen streaming subscriptions. For live TV including local channels and sports you may need YouTube TV, Hulu Live, or an over-the-air antenna for free local channels.
Yes — but it requires planning. YouTube TV ($72.99/month) and Hulu + Live TV ($82.99/month) include most major sports networks including ESPN, Fox Sports, and local channels. ESPN+ ($10.99/month) streams some live events. The NFL, NBA, and MLB all have direct streaming options. However blackout restrictions for local games can be frustrating. For comprehensive sports coverage live TV streaming services are the closest cable replacement.
Subscription creep is the gradual accumulation of small monthly subscriptions that collectively become a significant expense. Each individual subscription seems reasonable — $10 here, $15 there — but 5-6 services add up to $60-90 per month or $720-1,080 per year. This calculator is designed to make subscription creep visible by adding up all your services at once and comparing them to your current cable bill.
Use this calculator to find out based on your actual subscriptions. If your total streaming bill including internet upgrade costs is lower than your cable bill, cutting the cord makes financial sense. If you watch a lot of live sports or local news cable may still offer better value. Many households find that a hybrid approach — keeping internet only and choosing 2-3 streaming services strategically — saves the most money.
Methodology: Average streaming service costs reflect published pricing as of June 2026. Streaming service prices change frequently — verify current pricing at each provider's website. Internet cost differential accounts for the potential need to upgrade from a bundled internet+cable package to a standalone internet plan. Average American streaming spend from JD Power 2024 Streaming Video Services Satisfaction Study. Not financial advice.
