So let me add myself into your equation.

I live in Kansas City. I pay $70/mo for google fiber. 1Gbit down, 1Gbit up.

So for twice what TWC is charging you I get 10x more bandwidth down, and 100 times more bandwidth up.

So can we agree transit in the US is completely and arbitrarily priced? There is no basis for their fees.

It costs no more for transit wherever you are in the US vs me. In fact I would argue wherever you are it's probably cheaper because KC is probably smaller than your market. And you have more physical infrastructure and capacity.