In most US homes, internet is a separate bill that you set up yourself. In some apartments it is included in the rent, so ask first.
Step 1: find who serves your address
Open broadbandmap.fcc.gov and type your full address.
You see the companies that say they serve it, the type (cable, fiber, DSL, fixed wireless, satellite) and the top speeds.
Many addresses have only one or two real choices. This is normal in the US.
Ask the leasing office or neighbors which one works well in the building.
Types, from usually best to slowest: fiber (fast both ways), cable, 5G home internet (a box that uses the cell network; no cable needed), DSL (over phone lines), satellite.
Speed is in Mbps (megabits per second). Download is what you receive; upload is what you send (video calls, uploads).
1 to 2 people, video calls and streaming: about 100 to 300 Mbps is usually plenty.
Big family, gaming, large uploads: 300 Mbps to 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps).
The FCC treats 100 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up as the basic speed for "broadband".
Faster plans are often sold hard. Most homes do not need 2 Gbps.
Step 3: read the broadband label
Providers must show a broadband label (it looks like a food nutrition label) for each plan. Check:
The monthly price and whether it is an introductory (promotional) price. A plan at $50 for 12 months can go to $70 to $90 later.
Data cap: some plans charge extra if you use more than a set amount in a month (often around 1.2 terabytes). Fiber and 5G home plans often have no cap.
Fees: equipment, installation, "broadband fee", late fee.
Contract: some prices need a 1 or 2 year contract with a fee to leave early.
The modem connects to the provider; the router makes the Wi-Fi. Often they are one box.
Renting from the provider costs about $10 to $25 a month. It is easy and they replace it if it breaks.
Buying your own costs about $80 to $250 once. Check the provider's list of approved modems first. Over two years it usually costs less than renting.
Fiber and 5G home plans often include the equipment.
Step 5: order and install
Order online or by phone. They may run a soft credit check or ask for a deposit if you have no SSN. Ask for a no-deposit option with auto-pay.
Choose self-install (they mail a box; free or cheap) or a technician visit.
Return rented equipment when you move. Unreturned boxes are charged at full price.
Not writing down when the promotional price ends. Set a reminder one month before. Calling to ask for a new deal, or saying you plan to cancel, often brings the price down.
Paying for "unlimited data" add-ons when the plan has no cap.
Keeping the default Wi-Fi password printed on the router. Change it in the provider's app.