In my experience, DSL is more stable (speeds are more consistent) and reliable (doesn't go down as much) than cablemodem. Some people also argue that DSL is more secure, but regardless of which you choose, I'd get a router anyway for the hardware NAT firewall, even if you don't have multiple computers.
Setup of DSL can be a bit more complicated than cablemodem, though, depending on your distance from your phone company's central office (C.O.). If you are further out, you'll need a "splittered connection", which requires special wiring in your home (similar to having a jack installed or rewired). If you are relatively close to the C.O., you'll use filters on your jacks, which won't require special wiring.
Cablemodem is a bit more straightforward. At most, you just need a cable outlet in the desired room.
Monthly fees will be about the same for each, based on similar speeds, but DSL tends to cost a little more to set up. Personally, I think it's worth it to pay the extra setup costs for the extra stability.
You don't notice speed drops during peak times as much as you would on cable, since with DSL you have a dedicated connection between your home and the DSLAM in the C.O., so your speed to the DSLAM is guaranteed. And DSL doesn't go down as much.
With cable, on the other hand, you share the total bandwidth with your neighbors, which means the more people on your block that turn on their PCs, the slower your connection will get. Basically, you are on a form of LAN with your neighbors; you can even see all your neighbors' PCs (connected to the same local cable node) in Windows Network Neighborhood, hence the lower security of cable (since if you can see them, they can see you, so be sure to turn file/printer sharing off!).
That means on cable you'll be paying for a top speed, but there's only so much bandwidth available on the LAN, so it will slow down. On top of that, cablemodem service seems to go out whenever they have a tech in the area doing just about anything. After all, I think we can all agree that our cable TV goes out much more often than our phones do (DSL being phone-line based).
So, if you don't mind the additional setup costs of DSL, technologically speaking, I think DSL is the better choice. Unless your cable company gives you a very good deal, of course.
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