I hate VERIZON! For stupid reasons that go back to years ago, that involved incorrect billing that took forever to get resolved. That said, their cell towers are the best around here and I'm lucky enough to be able to use them through Comcast/Xfinity.
Been doing it since Comcast started cell service a few years ago and have had the benefit of Verizon towers since that's what Xfinity runs on. My bill for 3 phones is under $30 a month using by the gig payment. We are usually on wifi at home and for daughter, at home and work. I am also careful to use store wifi when shopping at such places as Sam's Club, Target, Walmart etc. My data rate is $12 a gig, but for new it's gone up to $15, I think. As Xfinity increases the phone customer base, the prices get higher and if you ignore the 'by the gig' pricing their rates seem to be coming inline with other providers.
You can buy the phone outright, bring your own phone or pay monthly over 2 years on your account. It's billed separately from the cable, which you have to have to use the phone service.
Right now it works really well for me, but there's no guarantee it will continue.