How Much Does Health Insurance Cost?
Updated for 2026 — national average costs with state-by-state breakdowns
What Does Health Insurance Include?
Health insurance costs vary based on plan type, coverage level, age, location, and whether you receive subsidies through the ACA marketplace.
The national average cost for health insurance is $450 per month (individual). Most homeowners pay between $200 and $800, though costs can vary significantly based on your location, the scope of work, and other factors outlined below.
What Affects the Price?
Plan Tier
Bronze: $250-$400/mo. Silver: $350-$550/mo. Gold: $450-$700/mo. Platinum: $550-$800/mo
Age
26-year-old: $250-$400. 40-year-old: $350-$550. 60-year-old: $600-$1,000
Key Cost Factors
- ✓Plan tier (Bronze/Silver/Gold/Platinum)
- ✓Age
- ✓Location
- ✓Tobacco use
- ✓Family size
- ✓Employer contribution
💡 Tips to Save Money
- 1.Check ACA marketplace for subsidies — most people qualify
- 2.Higher deductible plans have lower premiums if you're healthy
- 3.Compare plans during open enrollment
- 4.Use HSA-eligible plans to save pre-tax dollars
📈 Health Insurance Cost Trends (2022–2026)
Prices have increased +17.8% over the last 5 years
| Year | National Avg | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $382 | — |
| 2023 | $398 | +4.2% |
| 2024 | $424 | +6.5% |
| 2025 | $436 | +2.8% |
| 2026 | $450 | +3.2% |
Based on national averages adjusted for annual inflation. Actual costs vary by location and project scope.
Health 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 | $164 | $369 | $656 |
| Alaska | $256 | $576 | $1,024 |
| Arizona | $190 | $428 | $760 |
| Arkansas | $160 | $360 | $640 |
| California | $270 | $608 | $1,080 |
| Colorado | $216 | $486 | $864 |
| Connecticut | $244 | $549 | $976 |
| Delaware | $210 | $473 | $840 |
| District of Columbia | $250 | $563 | $1,000 |
| Florida | $196 | $441 | $784 |
| Georgia | $180 | $405 | $720 |
| Hawaii | $284 | $639 | $1,136 |
| Idaho | $184 | $414 | $736 |
| Illinois | $210 | $473 | $840 |
| Indiana | $176 | $396 | $704 |
| Iowa | $172 | $387 | $688 |
| Kansas | $170 | $383 | $680 |
| Kentucky | $168 | $378 | $672 |
| Louisiana | $174 | $392 | $696 |
| Maine | $204 | $459 | $816 |
| Maryland | $230 | $518 | $920 |
| Massachusetts | $260 | $585 | $1,040 |
| Michigan | $184 | $414 | $736 |
| Minnesota | $204 | $459 | $816 |
| Mississippi | $156 | $351 | $624 |
| Missouri | $174 | $392 | $696 |
| Montana | $190 | $428 | $760 |
| Nebraska | $176 | $396 | $704 |
| Nevada | $204 | $459 | $816 |
| New Hampshire | $224 | $504 | $896 |
| New Jersey | $250 | $563 | $1,000 |
| New Mexico | $180 | $405 | $720 |
| New York | $264 | $594 | $1,056 |
| North Carolina | $180 | $405 | $720 |
| North Dakota | $180 | $405 | $720 |
| Ohio | $180 | $405 | $720 |
| Oklahoma | $166 | $374 | $664 |
| Oregon | $220 | $495 | $880 |
| Pennsylvania | $204 | $459 | $816 |
| Rhode Island | $230 | $518 | $920 |
| South Carolina | $174 | $392 | $696 |
| South Dakota | $170 | $383 | $680 |
| Tennessee | $172 | $387 | $688 |
| Texas | $186 | $419 | $744 |
| Utah | $190 | $428 | $760 |
| Vermont | $216 | $486 | $864 |
| Virginia | $210 | $473 | $840 |
| Washington | $230 | $518 | $920 |
| West Virginia | $160 | $360 | $640 |
| Wisconsin | $188 | $423 | $752 |
| Wyoming | $184 | $414 | $736 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the cheapest health insurance?
Catastrophic plans are cheapest ($150-$250/mo) but only available to those under 30. Otherwise, Bronze plans are the most affordable.
🏙️ Health Insurance Cost by City
Compare health insurance costs in the most popular US cities:
View all 219 cities →
Related Cost Guides
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