Average Health Insurance Cost by State & Plan Type (2025)
Health insurance costs depend on how you get coverage: employer-sponsored, ACA Marketplace, or Medicare. We break down 2025 average premiums by plan type and state, using KFF's authoritative data.
Health Insurance Costs at a Glance (2025)
Data from KFF's 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey (1,862 firms surveyed Jan–July 2025) and KFF's marketplace benchmark premium analysis. Employer premiums include both employer and employee contributions.
Health Insurance Cost by Plan Type (2025)
The type of insurance you have dramatically changes your out-of-pocket premium. Here's how each category compares:
| Coverage Type | Monthly Premium (Employee/Individual) | Annual Cost | Who Pays Rest | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employer-Sponsored (Single) | $114/mo avg. | $1,368/yr | Employer pays ~$663/mo avg. | Workers with employer benefit |
| Employer-Sponsored (Family) | $525/mo avg. | $6,296/yr | Employer pays ~$1,725/mo avg. | Families with employer coverage |
| ACA Marketplace — Bronze | $381/mo | $4,572/yr | Individual pays full (subsidies may apply) | Young, healthy; low-use |
| ACA Marketplace — Silver (Benchmark) | $497/mo | $5,964/yr | Subsidies vary by income | Most unsubsidized enrollees |
| ACA Marketplace — Gold | $507/mo | $6,084/yr | Lower cost-sharing at care | High utilizers; frequent care |
| ACA — With Full Subsidy | $66/mo avg. | ~$792/yr | Federal premium tax credit covers rest | Income 100–400% FPL |
| Medicare Part B (2025) | $185/mo standard | $2,220/yr | Medicare trust fund | Age 65+ or disabled |
| HDHP/HSA (employer plan) | ~$88/mo avg. (employee share) | ~$1,056/yr | Employer pays rest; HSA triple-tax advantage | Healthy; high-deductible tolerant |
Sources: KFF 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey · KFF Marketplace Benchmark Premiums · Fidelity (Aug 2025) · HHS/CMS · ConsumerShield citing KFF Healthcare.gov data (Jan 2026).
ACA Benchmark Premium by State (2025)
The "benchmark premium" is the second-lowest-cost Silver plan for a 40-year-old. This varies enormously by state due to insurer competition, provider costs, and state policy.
| State | Monthly Benchmark (Age 40, Silver) | vs. National Avg ($497) | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | $1,277 | +157% | Most expensive; few insurers |
| Wyoming | $950 | +91% | Limited competition |
| West Virginia | $850 | +71% | Rural market challenges |
| Alaska | $820 | +65% | High cost of care |
| Nebraska | $750 | +51% | Low insurer count |
| National Average | $497 | — | KFF 2025 benchmark |
| Texas | $520 | +5% | Moderate competition |
| Florida | $540 | +9% | Large uninsured population |
| Oregon | $400 | −19% | Strong Medicaid competition |
| Minnesota | $380 | −23% | Reinsurance program |
| Maryland | $385 | −22% | State reinsurance fund |
| Rhode Island | $355 | −29% | Competitive market |
| Massachusetts | $340 | −32% | Strong insurer competition |
| New Hampshire | $325 | −35% | Most affordable state |
KFF "Marketplace Average Monthly Benchmark Premiums" (State Health Facts, Nov 2025). All premiums are for a 40-year-old buying the second-lowest-cost silver plan. Actual rates vary by age, specific ZIP code, and insurer.
How to Reduce Your Health Insurance Costs
- 💰
Check ACA Subsidy Eligibility
If you buy your own insurance, you may qualify for a premium tax credit if your income is 100–400% of the federal poverty level. In 2025, a single adult earning up to $58,320 or a family of 4 earning up to $120,000 may qualify. The average subsidized premium is just $66/month. Use KFF's Health Insurance Marketplace Calculator at kff.org.
- 🏦
Use an HSA with an HDHP
A Health Savings Account paired with a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) offers triple tax savings: contributions are pre-tax, growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for medical expenses are tax-free. In 2025, you can contribute up to $4,300 (individual) or $8,550 (family) to an HSA. Source: IRS 2025 HSA limits.
- 🔄
Shop During Open Enrollment
ACA plans can change premiums and networks annually — the cheapest plan last year may not be cheapest this year. The national Open Enrollment Period runs Nov 1–Jan 15 on Healthcare.gov. State-based exchanges may have different dates.
- 📊
Compare Total Cost, Not Just Premium
A lower monthly premium often means a higher deductible. Calculate your "break-even" point. Use the plan's actuarial value (bronze=60%, silver=70%, gold=80%) as a guide for how costs are split between you and the insurer.
Health Insurance FAQ
Sources
KFF 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey (1,862 firms, Jan–July 2025) · KFF "Marketplace Average Monthly Benchmark Premiums" (State Health Facts, Nov 2025) · Fidelity "How much is health insurance per month?" (Aug 2025) · HHS/CMS Medicare Part B 2025 standard premium · ConsumerShield citing KFF Healthcare.gov data (Jan 2026) · Urban Institute "Marketplace Premiums in 2025" (June 2025)
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