Exploring Data Transfer Costs for AWS Network Load Balancers

This article provides a comprehensive overview of data transfer costs for AWS Network Load Balancers (NLBs) across various scenarios:

• NLBs are charged per hour and by Load Balancer Capacity Units (LCU)
• Data transfer costs apply when traffic crosses Availability Zones, VPCs, or Regions
• Intra-VPC, same AZ traffic is typically free
• Cross-AZ traffic within a Region is charged at $0.01 per GB
• Internet-facing NLB traffic has tiered pricing based on Region

Key recommendations include reviewing the AWS Cost Optimization Pillar and using Cost and Usage Reports to optimize NLB data transfer expenses. Consulting with AWS Solutions Architects can help in designing cost-effective network architectures.