2026 Data Study · 29 States

Health Insurance Cost by State (2026)

We compared approximate benchmark Silver-plan premiums across the 29 states we actively serve. The gap is dramatic: residents of Wyoming face benchmarks roughly 2.1× higher than Nevada.

Cheapest
$378/mo
Nevada
Most Expensive
$802/mo
Wyoming
Median
$439/mo
across 29 states
Spread
2.1×
highest vs lowest

Key findings

1. Where you live can matter more than what plan you pick. The same 40-year-old faces a ~$378 benchmark in Nevada but ~$802 in Wyoming — a 2.1× difference before any subsidies.

2. The five lowest-cost states in this analysis: Nevada (~$378), Maryland (~$386), Colorado (~$387), Ohio (~$412), Virginia (~$412).

3. The five highest-cost states: Wyoming (~$802), West Virginia (~$632), South Dakota (~$512), Louisiana (~$497), Nebraska (~$489). Limited carrier competition is a common thread — several of these states have only one or two marketplace insurers in many counties.

4. Subsidies flatten the map for most families. These are pre-subsidy benchmarks; ACA premium tax credits are pegged to the benchmark in your area, so eligible households in high-cost states often pay far less than these figures.

2026 benchmark premium by state

Nevada $378 Maryland $386 Colorado $387 Ohio $412 Virginia $412 Kentucky $418 Texas $418 Tennessee $421 Arkansas $425 Indiana $428 Utah $428 Missouri $431 Illinois $438 North Carolina $438 Georgia $439 Kansas $447 South Carolina $452 Wisconsin $467 Oklahoma $469 Iowa $472 Mississippi $472 Florida $475 Montana $476 Alabama $489 Nebraska $489 Louisiana $497 South Dakota $512 West Virginia $632 Wyoming $802

Full rankings

#StateApprox. benchmarkvs. 29-state avg ($462)Exchange
1Nevada$378/mo-18%Nevada Health Link
2Maryland$386/mo-16%Maryland Health Connection
3Colorado$387/mo-16%Connect for Health Colorado
4Ohio$412/mo-11%HealthCare.gov
5Virginia$412/mo-11%Virginia Insurance Marketplace
6Kentucky$418/mo-10%kynect
7Texas$418/mo-10%HealthCare.gov
8Tennessee$421/mo-9%HealthCare.gov
9Arkansas$425/mo-8%HealthCare.gov
10Indiana$428/mo-7%HealthCare.gov
11Utah$428/mo-7%HealthCare.gov
12Missouri$431/mo-7%HealthCare.gov
13Illinois$438/mo-5%HealthCare.gov
14North Carolina$438/mo-5%HealthCare.gov
15Georgia$439/mo-5%HealthCare.gov
16Kansas$447/mo-3%HealthCare.gov
17South Carolina$452/mo-2%HealthCare.gov
18Wisconsin$467/mo+1%HealthCare.gov
19Oklahoma$469/mo+2%HealthCare.gov
20Iowa$472/mo+2%HealthCare.gov
21Mississippi$472/mo+2%HealthCare.gov
22Florida$475/mo+3%HealthCare.gov
23Montana$476/mo+3%HealthCare.gov
24Alabama$489/mo+6%HealthCare.gov
25Nebraska$489/mo+6%HealthCare.gov
26Louisiana$497/mo+8%HealthCare.gov
27South Dakota$512/mo+11%HealthCare.gov
28West Virginia$632/mo+37%HealthCare.gov
29Wyoming$802/mo+74%HealthCare.gov
Methodology & limitations: Figures are approximate benchmark (second-lowest-cost) Silver-plan monthly premiums for a single 40-year-old non-smoker, before premium tax credits, compiled by TrustedQuotes from public marketplace rate data for the 29 states we actively serve. Premiums vary meaningfully by county, age, household size, and tobacco use; these state-level figures are directional averages, not quotes. Primary sources: HealthCare.gov and state-based exchange rate filings.
Journalists & bloggers: this data is free to cite with attribution (CC BY 4.0). Suggested citation:
Source: TrustedQuotes 2026 Health Insurance Cost by State analysis — trustedquotes.org/health-insurance-cost-by-state-2026.html

Frequently asked questions

Which state has the cheapest health insurance in 2026?
Among the 29 states in this analysis, Nevada has the lowest approximate benchmark premium at about $378/month for a 40-year-old before subsidies. Actual prices vary by county, age, and plan.
Which state has the most expensive health insurance?
Wyoming tops this analysis at roughly $802/month benchmark — about 2.1× the cost in Nevada. Limited carrier competition is a major driver in high-cost states.
Why do premiums vary so much by state?
Carrier competition, state regulations, healthcare provider costs, whether the state expanded Medicaid, and whether it runs its own exchange all affect premiums. States with more insurers competing tend to have lower benchmarks.
Do these prices include ACA subsidies?
No — these are pre-subsidy benchmark figures. Most marketplace enrollees qualify for premium tax credits that reduce the real monthly cost substantially, sometimes to $0. Your subsidy depends on household income and size.
How can I find my actual 2026 price?
Benchmarks are averages; your real price depends on your county, age, household, and income after subsidies. A licensed agent can run your exact quote across carriers for free.

Explore your state

Nevada Guide Maryland Guide Colorado Guide Ohio Guide Virginia Guide Wyoming Guide West Virginia Guide South Dakota Guide Louisiana Guide Nebraska Guide All State Guides ACA Subsidy Calculator ACA Marketplace by State
Analysis reviewed by Jamie Johnson, Licensed Insurance Agent · NPN 19623613 · TrustedQuotes is an independent brokerage licensed in all 50 states. About our review process →

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