How Much Does Health Insurance Cost? (2027 Rates)

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Updated: November 12, 2026

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Key Takeaways
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Health insurance costs an average of $853 per month for middle-aged adults, with average premiums ranging from $513 for children to $1,780 for adults ages 60 and older.

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Maryland has the cheapest HMO health insurance, averaging $530 per month, while Vermont has the most expensive at $1,157, a $627 difference.

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You may qualify for premium tax credits that lower your monthly health insurance premiums if your household income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. For 2027, that's $15,960 to $63,840 for a single adult in most states.

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost?

Health insurance costs an average of $853 per month, or $10,236 annually, for a 40-year-old adult with a Silver-tier plan, based on MoneyGeek's analysis of 2027 marketplace health insurance rates. These premiums are before subsidies, so eligible households may pay less through premium tax credits.

Your actual cost depends on your age, location, insurer and the coverage you choose. Lower-premium plans can have higher deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs, so the cheapest monthly rate won't always mean the lowest total cost. Compare health insurance costs by state, age, family size and plan type below to see how premiums vary.

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OTHER COSTS BEYOND YOUR MONTHLY PREMIUM

Your premium is what you pay to keep coverage active. Here's what else hits your wallet:   

  • Deductible: You pay medical bills in full until you reach this threshold, at which point your plan begins covering costs.
  • Copays: Doctor appointments and pharmacy pickups cost a flat amount you pay right then.
  • Coinsurance: After meeting your deductible, you and your insurer split the bill. The percentage split depends on your plan.
  • Out-of-pocket maximum: Your spending ceiling each year. Once you reach it, insurance takes over completely.
  • Prescription drugs: Pills cost different amounts based on generic, brand-name, and specialty categories.
  • Non-covered services: Some care falls outside your plan. You'll foot the entire bill for those services.

Average Health Insurance Cost by State

Health insurance premiums vary widely by state and plan type. For the 2027 plan year, Wyoming has the highest average monthly Silver plan premium in our review at $1,306, more than double New Hampshire's $579 average. Costs can differ even more between plan types within the same state. In Virginia, for example, PPO plans average $1,169 per month compared to $568 for EPOs, a difference of $601.

Plan availability also varies by state. Some states offer only one marketplace plan type, while others have multiple options. PPOs usually cost more than HMOs, but that isn't always the case. In Wisconsin, PPO plans average $759 per month compared to $852 for HMOs. Compare available plans based on premiums, provider networks and out-of-pocket costs to find the best value for your budget and healthcare needs.

AK

$1,211
N/A
N/A
N/A
$1,211

AL

$811
N/A
N/A
$808
$825

AR

$798
N/A
$807
N/A
$768

AZ

$908
$908
N/A
N/A
N/A

CA

$804
$696
N/A
$969
$952

CO

$749
$745
N/A
$713
N/A

CT

$899
N/A
$997
N/A
$802

DC

$685
$675
N/A
N/A
$727

DE

$950
$901
N/A
N/A
$998

FL

$1,004
$860
$1,270
$1,153
$2,151

GA

$807
$805
N/A
N/A
$823

HI

$633
$592
N/A
N/A
$757

IA

$587
$559
N/A
$626
N/A

ID

$614
$590
$619
N/A
$608

IL

$1,013
$813
$597
N/A
$1,193

IN

$654
$620
N/A
$778
N/A

KS

$912
N/A
N/A
$912
N/A

KY

$784
$784
N/A
N/A
N/A

LA

$900
$767
$806
$896
$1,161

MA

$810
$782
N/A
$975
N/A

MD

$580
$530
N/A
N/A
$852

ME

$893
$871
N/A
$938
$970

MI

$762
$740
N/A
$529
$897

MN

$629
$646
N/A
$622
$633

MO

$838
N/A
N/A
$838
N/A

MS

$887
$887
N/A
N/A
N/A

MT

$906
N/A
$801
N/A
$920

NC

$850
$829
$850
$771
$1,039

ND

$713
$712
N/A
N/A
$726

NE

$990
N/A
N/A
$990
N/A

NH

$579
$579
N/A
N/A
N/A

NJ

$816
N/A
N/A
$816
N/A

NM

$888
$888
N/A
N/A
N/A

NV

$796
$796
N/A
N/A
N/A

NY *

$1,195
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

OH

$718
$718
N/A
N/A
N/A

OK

$770
$758
N/A
N/A
$776

OR

$762
N/A
N/A
$762
N/A

PA

$881
$842
N/A
$809
$967

RI

$722
$608
$735
N/A
$824

SC

$776
$765
N/A
$795
N/A

SD

$764
$607
N/A
$828
$812

TN

$897
N/A
N/A
$897
N/A

TX

$890
$930
$991
$810
N/A

UT

$940
$889
N/A
$999
N/A

VA

$602
$601
N/A
$568
$1,169

VT **

$1,248
$1,157
N/A
$1,338
N/A

WA

$985
$838
N/A
$1,050
N/A

WI

$829
$852
$873
$837
$759

WV

$1,220
N/A
N/A
$1,149
$1,236

WY

$1,306
N/A
N/A
$1,466
$1,173
Your Next Step:

Get your real quotes from trusted insurance providers.

Rates shown are average monthly premiums for a 40-year-old nonsmoker with a Silver plan, before subsidies. State averages are calculated by averaging plan premiums within each rating area, then averaging across rating areas. Plan-type averages include only areas where that type is available. N/A means no Silver plans of that type are available. Data comes from 2027 plan filings.

* New York: Plans are classified as INN rather than HMO, EPO, POS or PPO. Rates are based on individual coverage rather than age.

** Vermont: Rates don't vary by age. Averages use eight Silver plans from CMS data.

Health Insurance Cost by Family Size

Health insurance for a family of four costs an average of $2,732 per month, or $32,784 annually, for a Silver marketplace plan in 2027. A family of three pays $2,219 per month, with each additional child adding about $513 to the premium.

Marketplace premiums increase with family size, but insurers can charge for no more than three children under age 21 per family. Premium tax credits can lower monthly costs for eligible households, depending on income and family size.

Individual (Adult)
$853
$10,236
Couple + 1 Kid
$2,219
$26,628
Couple + 2 Kids
$2,732
$32,784
Couple + 3 Kids

$3,245

$38,940

Average 2027 Silver plan premiums for nonsmokers before subsidies across all plan types. Couples are defined as two 40-year-old adults, and children use ages 0-14 rates. These are national figures calculated from rating-area averages, weighted equally by rating area.

Average Cost of Health Insurance by Age

Health insurance premiums increase sharply with age. Adults ages 31 to 45 pay an average of $853 per month for a Silver plan, while those 60 and older pay $1,780, more than twice as much. Younger adults ages 22 to 30 pay an average of $689 per month.

The largest increase occurs later in life. Average monthly premiums rise by $598 between the 46-to-59 and 60-and-older age groups. These rates are before subsidies, so eligible households may pay less through premium tax credits.

0-14 years
$513
$6,156
15-21 years
$602
$7,224
22-30 years
$689
$8,268
31-45 years
$853
$10,236
46-59 years
$1,182
$14,184
60+ years
$1,780
$21,360

* Average 2027 monthly premiums for Silver marketplace plans across all plan types, before subsidies. Actual costs vary by age, location, insurer and coverage.

Health Insurance Cost by Plan Type & Metal Tier

Health insurance premiums vary by plan type and metal tier. HMO plans are the least expensive health insurance option on average, while PPO plans have the highest premiums across every metal tier in our 2027 analysis. A 40-year-old nonsmoker pays an average of $787 per month for a Silver HMO compared to $1,262 for a Silver PPO, a $475 difference. The higher PPO premium reflects greater flexibility to see specialists and out-of-network providers without referrals.

Premiums increase with each metal tier, but higher monthly rates come with greater coverage for medical expenses. A Platinum HMO averages $1,106 per month, $319 more than a Silver HMO. Higher-tier plans have lower deductibles and out-of-pocket costs, which can make them more worthwhile for people who expect frequent medical care. People with fewer medical needs may save more with a lower-premium Bronze or Silver plan.

Expanded Bronze
$630
$669
$715
$915
Bronze
$592
$643
$621
$697
Silver
$787
$895
$1,030
$1,262
Gold
$853
$971
$1,176
$1,323
Platinum
$1,106
$1,727
$1,963
$2,385

* Average 2027 monthly premiums for nonsmoking 40-year-olds, before subsidies. Rates vary age, location and insurer.

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HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN TYPES

Your health insurance plan type affects which doctors you can see and how much you pay. Each plan balances cost and flexibility differently.

  • HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): HMOs have lower premiums but limit coverage to in-network providers except in emergencies. Many require you to choose a primary care doctor and get referrals before seeing specialists.
  • PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): PPOs give the most flexibility. They allow you to see in-network and out-of-network providers without referrals. Premiums are usually higher, and out-of-network care costs more.
  • EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization): EPOs let you see in-network specialists without referrals but don't cover out-of-network care except in emergencies. Premiums are often lower than PPO rates.
  • POS (Point of Service): POS plans combine features of HMOs and PPOs. You'll need referrals from your primary care doctor to see specialists, but you can receive out-of-network care at a higher cost.

What Factors Affect Health Insurance Costs?

Several factors affect your monthly health insurance premium, including age, location, family size and the coverage you choose. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), insurers can charge older adults up to three times as much as younger adults for the same plan. Your insurer, plan type and metal tier also influence your monthly rate.

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    Age

    Health insurance premiums increase with age because older adults tend to need more medical care. Under ACA rules, insurers can charge a 64-year-old up to three times as much as a 21-year-old for the same coverage. Some states impose stricter limits on age-based pricing.

  • Location

    Health insurance premiums vary by state and even between ZIP codes. Local health care costs, insurer competition and state regulations all affect pricing. Areas with fewer insurers may have limited plan options, but rural coverage isn't always more expensive than urban coverage.

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    Family Size

    Adding a spouse or children to your health insurance plan increases your monthly premium. Marketplace insurers calculate family premiums based on the ages and number of people covered, but they can charge for no more than three children under age 21 under federal guidelines. Premium tax credits may help eligible families offset these costs.

    Children's health insurance costs less than adult coverage and includes pediatric vision benefits. Dental coverage must be made available but may require a separate plan.

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    Plan Type

    Your plan's provider network affects both premiums and access to care. HMOs and EPOs cost less in our analysis but restrict coverage to in-network providers except in emergencies. PPOs usually charge more for greater provider flexibility, while POS plans combine in-network and out-of-network coverage with varying referral requirements.

  • cigarette icon

    Tobacco Use

    Insurers can charge tobacco users up to 50% more for health insurance under ACA rules. Some states prohibit tobacco surcharges or limit them to less than 50%, and not every insurer applies the maximum increase. Quitting tobacco can help to lower your premiums.

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    Insurance Company

    Premiums differ between insurers, even for plans with similar coverage. Each company negotiates different provider rates, manages operating costs and sets premiums based on its projected expenses. Compare health insurance plans from multiple insurers to find lower rates without sacrificing the coverage you need.

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    Metal Tier

    Marketplace plans have four main metal tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Bronze plans have lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs, while Gold and Platinum plans cost more monthly but pay a larger share of covered medical expenses. Silver plans offer moderate cost-sharing and are the only metal tier eligible for income-based cost-sharing reductions. Catastrophic plans have low premiums and high deductibles but are available only to people under 30 years old or those who qualify for a hardship or affordability exemption.

What Does Health Insurance Cover?

All marketplace health insurance plans cover 10 essential health benefit categories required by the Affordable Care Act. These include doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription drugs, mental health treatment and preventive care. Some plans also include adult dental and vision benefits. All Bronze and Catastrophic plans are HSA-eligible, along with certain other plans.

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10 ESSENTIAL BENEFITS COVERED BY MARKETPLACE PLANS
  • Outpatient care: Doctor visits and medical services that don't require a hospital stay.
  • Emergency services: Emergency room treatment, including care at out-of-network hospitals.
  • Hospitalization: Surgeries, overnight stays and other inpatient care.
  • Maternity and newborn care: Prenatal care, childbirth and care for your newborn.
  • Mental health and substance use treatment: Therapy, counseling and treatment for mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
  • Prescription drugs: Covered medications prescribed by your doctor.
  • Rehabilitative and habilitative services: Physical and occupational therapy, medical devices and services that help you develop or regain physical and mental abilities.
  • Lab services: Diagnostic testing, including blood work and other laboratory tests.
  • Preventive and wellness care: Recommended screenings, vaccinations and preventive services, generally at no cost when received in-network.
  • Pediatric services: Dental and vision care for children, although dental coverage may require a separate plan.

Why Is Health Insurance Going Up?

Health insurance premiums are rising again in 2027. Full-price ACA Silver premiums increased 13% from 2026 to 2027, according to MoneyGeek's analysis of 2027 ACA premiums. Higher medical costs, the expiration of enhanced ACA subsidies and declining marketplace enrollment are driving these increases.

Rising Medical Costs and Prescription Drug Prices

Expiration of Enhanced ACA Subsidies

Declining Marketplace Enrollment

How to Reduce Health Insurance Costs

You can lower your health insurance costs by comparing plans, checking your eligibility for financial assistance and using your benefits wisely. These strategies can help reduce monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses in 2027.

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    Compare Lower-Cost Plans

    Bronze plans have lower monthly premiums than Silver, Gold and Platinum plans, but you'll pay more out of pocket when you need care. Catastrophic plans also have low premiums and high deductibles, but they're limited to people under 30 or those who qualify for a hardship or affordability exemption. Compare total annual costs before choosing a plan based on its premium alone.

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    Claim Premium Tax Credits

    You may qualify for premium tax credits if your household income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. For 2027, that's $15,960 to $63,840 for a single adult in most states. Apply through HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace to see how much you can save on monthly premiums.

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    Apply for Cost-Sharing Reductions

    If your household income is between 100% and 250% of the federal poverty level, you may qualify for cost-sharing reductions that lower deductibles, copays, coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums. You must enroll in a Silver marketplace plan to receive these savings. Lower-income households qualify for greater reductions.

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    Enroll in Medicare or Medicaid

    Medicare covers adults 65 and older and certain younger people with disabilities, while Medicaid provides low-cost or free coverage to eligible people with limited incomes. Check eligibility at Medicaid.gov or Medicare.gov before purchasing private marketplace insurance, since government coverage may cost less.

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    Compare Employer-Sponsored Coverage

    Employer-sponsored health insurance may cost less than marketplace coverage because employers often pay part of the premium. If your spouse or parent has a workplace plan that covers dependents, compare the cost of joining it with buying your own policy. Some family members may qualify for marketplace subsidies if employer coverage is considered unaffordable.

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    Consider Short-Term Insurance Carefully

    Short-term health insurance may have lower premiums than ACA marketplace plans, but it comes with fewer protections. These policies can exclude pre-existing conditions and may not cover prescription drugs, maternity care or mental health treatment. Consider them only for temporary coverage gaps after comparing their benefits, exclusions and out-of-pocket costs.

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    Stay In-Network

    Using doctors, hospitals and other providers within your plan's network costs less than seeking out-of-network care. Some plans don't cover out-of-network services except in emergencies. Check your insurer's provider directory and confirm network participation before scheduling care.

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    Choose Generic Medications

    Generic medications can cost 80% to 85% less than brand-name drugs, according to the FDA. They contain the same active ingredients and meet the same standards for safety and effectiveness. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about generic alternatives and compare prescription costs under your plan.

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    Use Free Preventive Care

    ACA marketplace plans cover recommended preventive services, including certain screenings and vaccinations, at no cost when received from in-network providers. These benefits generally apply before you meet your deductible, although not every service is free. Check your plan's preventive care benefits to see what's covered.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Our Methodology

Health insurance costs vary by age, location, plan type and family size. To provide more useful cost estimates, we analyzed 2027 ACA Marketplace plans across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Data Sources

We downloaded plan data for 29 federal Marketplace states from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and collected data for 21 state-based Marketplace states and Washington, D.C., directly from state marketplace sources.

Our analysis includes 5,448 individual health insurance plans from 180 providers. To calculate average premiums, we first averaged plan rates within each rating area, then averaged those rating-area figures. State averages use rating areas within each state, while national averages include rating areas across all states.

Sample Profiles

We analyzed premiums for adults ages 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60, along with children ages 0 to 14. Unless otherwise noted, rates reflect monthly Silver plan premiums for a 40-year-old nonsmoker before subsidies.

Children's rates include only the 29 federal Marketplace states, which publish rates for ages 0 to 14. Family premium calculations include up to three children under 21, the maximum number charged under ACA family pricing rules.

Coverage Types

We reviewed Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum plans to compare costs across coverage levels. Catastrophic plans appear only in comparisons for adults under 30, who generally qualify for this coverage.

Why We Use This Approach

We focus exclusively on individual Marketplace plans rather than combining individual and employer-sponsored insurance rates. Comparing premiums by age, coverage level and location gives shoppers a clearer picture of what they may pay.

Data Recency

All premiums reflect 2027 plan year rates, last updated in November 2026. Rates are shown before premium tax credits and other subsidies.

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About Patrick Bryant

Patrick Bryant, Vertical Lead, Life & Health Insurance, MoneyGeek

Patrick Bryant is the Vertical Lead for Health Insurance at MoneyGeek, where he researches insurance products, writes consumer guides and maintains the scoring methodologies behind our provider comparisons. He analyzed more than 100 health insurance carriers across all 50 U.S. states and multiple policy types. His methodologies are reviewed quarterly to reflect current market conditions and carrier data.

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