How Much Does Disability Insurance Cost?
Updated for 2026 — national average costs with state-by-state breakdowns
What Does Disability Insurance Include?
Disability insurance replaces a portion of your income (typically 50-70%) if you become unable to work due to illness or injury. Short-term disability covers weeks to months; long-term covers years to retirement.
The national average cost for disability insurance is $125 per month. Most homeowners pay between $25 and $500, though costs can vary significantly based on your location, the scope of work, and other factors outlined below.
What Affects the Price?
Term
Short-term (3-6 months): $25-$75/month. Long-term (to age 65): $50-$500/month
Occupation
Office/professional: $50-$150/month. Manual labor: $100-$300/month. High-risk: $200-$500/month
Key Cost Factors
- ✓Coverage amount
- ✓Occupation class
- ✓Age
- ✓Elimination period
- ✓Benefit period
💡 Tips to Save Money
- 1.Employer group plans are significantly cheaper than individual policies
- 2.Longer elimination periods (90 vs 30 days) reduce premiums 20-30%
- 3.Own-occupation policies cost more but provide better protection
- 4.Buy when young and healthy — premiums are based on age at purchase
📈 Disability Insurance Cost Trends (2020–2024)
Prices have increased +16.8% over the last 5 years
| Year | National Avg | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $107 | — |
| 2021 | $111 | +3.7% |
| 2022 | $118 | +6.3% |
| 2023 | $121 | +2.5% |
| 2024 | $125 | +3.3% |
Based on national averages adjusted for annual inflation. Actual costs vary by location and project scope.
Disability Insurance Cost by State
Costs vary significantly by state due to labor rates, cost of living, and local market conditions. Click any state for a detailed breakdown.
| State | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $21 | $103 | $410 |
| Alaska | $32 | $160 | $640 |
| Arizona | $24 | $119 | $475 |
| Arkansas | $20 | $100 | $400 |
| California | $34 | $169 | $675 |
| Colorado | $27 | $135 | $540 |
| Connecticut | $31 | $153 | $610 |
| Delaware | $26 | $131 | $525 |
| Florida | $25 | $123 | $490 |
| Georgia | $23 | $113 | $450 |
| Hawaii | $36 | $178 | $710 |
| Idaho | $23 | $115 | $460 |
| Illinois | $26 | $131 | $525 |
| Indiana | $22 | $110 | $440 |
| Iowa | $22 | $108 | $430 |
| Kansas | $21 | $106 | $425 |
| Kentucky | $21 | $105 | $420 |
| Louisiana | $22 | $109 | $435 |
| Maine | $26 | $128 | $510 |
| Maryland | $29 | $144 | $575 |
| Massachusetts | $33 | $163 | $650 |
| Michigan | $23 | $115 | $460 |
| Minnesota | $26 | $128 | $510 |
| Mississippi | $20 | $98 | $390 |
| Missouri | $22 | $109 | $435 |
| Montana | $24 | $119 | $475 |
| Nebraska | $22 | $110 | $440 |
| Nevada | $26 | $128 | $510 |
| New Hampshire | $28 | $140 | $560 |
| New Jersey | $31 | $156 | $625 |
| New Mexico | $23 | $113 | $450 |
| New York | $33 | $165 | $660 |
| North Carolina | $23 | $113 | $450 |
| North Dakota | $23 | $113 | $450 |
| Ohio | $23 | $113 | $450 |
| Oklahoma | $21 | $104 | $415 |
| Oregon | $28 | $138 | $550 |
| Pennsylvania | $26 | $128 | $510 |
| Rhode Island | $29 | $144 | $575 |
| South Carolina | $22 | $109 | $435 |
| South Dakota | $21 | $106 | $425 |
| Tennessee | $22 | $108 | $430 |
| Texas | $23 | $116 | $465 |
| Utah | $24 | $119 | $475 |
| Vermont | $27 | $135 | $540 |
| Virginia | $26 | $131 | $525 |
| Washington | $29 | $144 | $575 |
| West Virginia | $20 | $100 | $400 |
| Wisconsin | $24 | $118 | $470 |
| Wyoming | $23 | $115 | $460 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between short-term and long-term disability?
Short-term covers the first 3-6 months after disability. Long-term kicks in after that and can last years or until retirement. Many employers offer short-term; long-term often requires individual purchase.
🏙️ Disability Insurance Cost by City
Compare disability insurance costs in the most popular US cities:
View all 219 cities →
Related Cost Guides
💬 What Did You Pay?
Real costs reported by homeowners for Disability Insurance
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