Average cost of health insurance (2026)
The average marketplace Silver plan costs $746 a month for one 40-year-old before tax credits, and the average Bronze plan $576. Below: the average by metal level, age, household and state, from every marketplace plan in the U.S.
Average monthly cost by metal level, U.S.
| Metal | Average (mean) | Typical (median) | Lowest | Plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | $576 | $548 | $283 | 2,087 |
| Silver | $746 | $715 | $384 | 2,259 |
| Gold | $789 | $746 | $378 | 1,885 |
| Platinum | $1,472 | $1,413 | $481 | 167 |
| Catastrophic | $432 | $415 | $185 | 187 |
One 40-year-old, before tax credits. Average = mean of every plan's price in every area where it is sold; typical = median (CMS public use files (plan year prices), as processed on our methodology page).
Average cost per month for one person, by age
| Age | Average Bronze | Average Silver | Yearly, Silver |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | $450 | $584 | $7,008 |
| 30 | $511 | $663 | $7,954 |
| 40 | $576 | $746 | $8,956 |
| 50 | $804 | $1,043 | $12,515 |
| 60 | $1,222 | $1,585 | $19,018 |
| 64 and older | $1,351 | $1,752 | $21,023 |
U.S. average at 40 times the federal default age curve (CMS: state specific age curve variations), used in 42 states. More: cost by age.
Average cost for a couple and a family
| Household | Average Bronze | Average Silver | Yearly, Silver |
|---|---|---|---|
| One adult, 40 | $576 | $746 | $8,956 |
| Couple, both 40 | $1,151 | $1,493 | $17,911 |
| Family of 3: couple, 40, child 8 | $1,496 | $1,939 | $23,272 |
| Family of 4: couple, 40, children 10 and 8 | $1,840 | $2,386 | $28,633 |
| Couple, both 60 | $2,444 | $3,170 | $38,037 |
Each person is priced by age; only the three oldest children under 21 are charged (45 CFR 147.102: fair health insurance premiums). More: family cost.
Average cost of health insurance by state
| Rank | State | Average Silver | Typical Silver | Cheapest plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $475 | $448 | $283 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $481 | $450 | $317 |
| 3 | Virginia | $532 | $505 | $339 |
| 4 | Idaho | $545 | $542 | $331 |
| 5 | Minnesota | $559 | $550 | $340 |
| 6 | Indiana | $564 | $566 | $376 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $577 | $552 | $367 |
| 8 | Hawaii | $583 | $551 | $414 |
| 9 | Iowa | $594 | $559 | $338 |
| 10 | Oregon | $621 | $623 | $426 |
| 11 | District of Columbia | $621 | $627 | $505 |
| 12 | North Dakota | $627 | $628 | $332 |
| 13 | Ohio | $630 | $617 | $356 |
| 14 | Colorado | $637 | $614 | $390 |
| 15 | South Carolina | $648 | $636 | $336 |
| 16 | Kentucky | $655 | $666 | $435 |
| 17 | New Jersey | $673 | $637 | $451 |
| 18 | South Dakota | $677 | $703 | $406 |
| 19 | Michigan | $684 | $685 | $345 |
| 20 | California | $685 | $650 | $347 |
| 21 | Arizona | $692 | $594 | $375 |
| 22 | Nevada | $696 | $694 | $377 |
| 23 | Alabama | $703 | $688 | $366 |
| 24 | Oklahoma | $709 | $684 | $403 |
| 25 | Georgia | $711 | $692 | $371 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $713 | $679 | $353 |
| 27 | Massachusetts | $722 | $749 | $379 |
| 28 | Missouri | $728 | $719 | $405 |
| 29 | Pennsylvania | $737 | $718 | $297 |
| 30 | Mississippi | $743 | $705 | $563 |
| 31 | Montana | $748 | $747 | $354 |
| 32 | Delaware | $759 | $762 | $542 |
| 33 | New Mexico | $759 | $734 | $390 |
| 34 | Kansas | $760 | $743 | $442 |
| 35 | Illinois | $763 | $665 | $329 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $770 | $771 | $466 |
| 37 | Maine | $771 | $770 | $499 |
| 38 | North Carolina | $775 | $758 | $420 |
| 39 | Utah | $780 | $732 | $472 |
| 40 | Texas | $786 | $762 | $352 |
| 41 | Louisiana | $795 | $771 | $402 |
| 42 | Washington | $799 | $762 | $335 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $823 | $828 | $447 |
| 44 | Florida | $859 | $789 | $427 |
| 45 | Connecticut | $859 | $864 | $557 |
| 46 | Nebraska | $918 | $862 | $494 |
| 47 | Alaska | $1,039 | $1,039 | $648 |
| 48 | West Virginia | $1,089 | $1,100 | $682 |
| 49 | Wyoming | $1,114 | $1,108 | $740 |
| 50 | New York | $1,119 | $1,097 | $434 |
| 51 | Vermont | $1,423 | $1,428 | $824 |
One 40-year-old, before tax credits; cheapest plan excludes Catastrophic plans. Prices vary by county: open a state to see every plan.
These are list prices. Most people who buy a marketplace plan get a tax credit based on household income that lowers them (HealthCare.gov: Lower costs on health coverage).
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of health insurance per month in 2026?
For one 40-year-old before tax credits, the average (mean) marketplace Silver plan costs $746 a month and the average Bronze plan $576. The typical (median) Silver plan is $715. Most people who buy a marketplace plan get a tax credit that lowers what they pay.
What is the average cost of health insurance for one person?
It depends mostly on age and state. Before tax credits, the average Silver plan is about $584 a month at 21, $746 at 40 and $1,585 at 60, using the federal default age curve that 42 states use.
What is the average cost of health insurance for a family of 4?
About $2,386 a month for an average Silver plan ($1,840 for Bronze) for two 40-year-old parents and children 10 and 8, before tax credits.
Which state has the most expensive health insurance on average?
Vermont, where the average Silver plan is $1,423 a month for a 40-year-old before tax credits. The lowest average is in Maryland, at $475.
Why are the average and typical prices different?
The average (mean) adds up every plan's price in every area where it is sold and divides by the count; a few very expensive plans pull it up. The typical (median) price is the one in the middle, which is closer to what a common plan costs. We show both.
Do these averages include tax credits?
No. They are list prices before any premium tax credit. Your price after the credit depends on your household income; check it on HealthCare.gov or your state's marketplace.