Average Cost of Health Insurance (2026)

Across all 51 U.S. jurisdictions, the average cheapest ACA Marketplace plan costs $379.14/month for a 30-year-old before subsidies, ranging from $168 in Maryland to $824 in Vermont. Most enrollees pay far less after Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTC), and most ACA Marketplace enrollees receive a subsidy.

Nationally, average pre-subsidy premiums run about $484.76/month for Bronze, $636.76/month for Silver, and $674.90/month for Gold plans, for a single 30-year-old. Your actual premium depends on your state, county, age, tobacco use, and household income.

ACA premiums are priced per person, not per household. A family's total cost is the sum of each member's premium (children are typically rated at a flat child rate, adults by age). A larger household pays more in total, but is also far more likely to qualify for an APTC subsidy, since eligibility is based on income relative to household size. Enter your household size and income in our compare tool to see your actual estimated cost.

For a single adult, the figures on this page (averaging $484.76/month for Bronze and $636.76/month for Silver) are a reasonable pre-subsidy starting point nationally. A single person's exact premium still depends on their age, state, county rating area, and tobacco status.

Yes, substantially. The cheapest available plan ranges from $168/month in Maryland to $824/month in Vermont, driven by differences in state regulation, local provider costs, insurer competition, and Medicaid expansion status.

ACA insurers may charge older adults up to 3 times more than a 21-year-old for the same plan (the '3:1 age band'), with premiums generally rising each year of age. Tobacco users can be charged up to 50% more in most states. Figures on this page reflect a 30-year-old, non-tobacco user; use the compare tool for your own age.

The Advance Premium Tax Credit (APTC) lowers your premium based on household income relative to the Federal Poverty Level, applied directly to your monthly bill. Many households pay significantly less than the sticker prices shown here, and some qualify for $0/month Bronze plans. Cost-Sharing Reductions (CSR) can further lower deductibles and copays for eligible Silver plan enrollees.