Updated: October 22, 2025
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Health insurance costs $599 monthly for adults, but ranges from $359 for children to $1,047 for seniors.
Maryland offers the cheapest health insurance at $423 monthly while Alaska costs $966, creating a $543 difference.
Government subsidies cut premiums significantly if you earn between 100% and 400% of the poverty level.
MoneyGeek's analysis found that health insurance costs $599 monthly if you are a typical adult planning to buy a marketplace plan. That number shifts dramatically depending on who you're covering. Children cost just $359 monthly, while seniors pay $1,047.
Your plan choice makes a big difference, too: HMO plans run $562 monthly compared to $680 for PPOs with broader networks. Thanks to ACA protections, most health conditions won't spike your premiums.
| Children | 359 | 4,303 |
| Teens | 416 | 4,993 |
| Young Adults | 482 | 5,789 |
| HMO | 562 | 6,749 |
| Adults | 599 | 7,186 |
| People With Asthma | 600 | 7,206 |
| People With Diabetes | 600 | 7,200 |
| Pregnant Women | 600 | 7,198 |
| People Who Have Depression | 601 | 7,216 |
| People With Heart Disease | 601 | 7,212 |
| Low-Income | 607 | 7,286 |
| People With High Blood Pressure or Cholesterol | 608 | 7,301 |
| POS | 614 | 7,374 |
| EPO | 615 | 7,378 |
| With Health Savings Account Elligibility | 622 | 7,459 |
| PPO | 680 | 8,159 |
| Seniors | 1,047 | 12,569 |
These are national averages and your actual costs can depend on a multitude of factors.
Health insurance premiums vary dramatically by location. Maryland offers the most affordable coverage at $423 monthly, while Alaska costs $966 monthly, more than double. Insurance competition, local health care expenses, and population health drive these state differences. For instance, states that have fewer insurers typically have higher premiums.
Please note that these averages are typical costs for a 40-year-old, but your actual premium will depend on personal factors. Federal subsidies can reduce your monthly payment based on income.
The table below reflects the health insurance costs by state.
| Alabama | 589 | 7,067 |
The cost of health insurance for a family of three is around $1,911 monthly and families with two kids generally pay $2,353. Families often reach their out-of-pocket maximum faster, which caps their yearly expenses.
However, some families save money using separate plans, such as when one spouse gets affordable employer coverage while others use marketplace insurance.
The table below represents the health insurance costs by family size:
| Individual (Adult) | 599 | 7,186 |
| Couple + 1 Kid | 1,556 | 18,674 |
| Couple + 2 Kids | 1,915 | 22,977 |
| Couple + 3 Kids | 2,273 | 27,280 |
| Couple + 4 Kids | 2,632 | 31,583 |
Your age directly impacts your monthly costs, as costs rise when you get older. Young adults pay $482 monthly, while seniors pay $1,047, which is more than double the cost, but the ACA caps senior premiums at three times what younger adults pay. Eighteen-year-olds represent the lowest-cost demographic in the young adult category.
These figures don't include tax credits or subsidies that can significantly reduce costs if you qualify based on income, and your actual costs will vary by plan tier, family size and health care needs.
The table below shows the costs for different age groups.
| Children | 359 | 4,303 |
| Teens | 416 | 4,993 |
| Young Adults | 482 | 5,789 |
| Adults | 599 | 7,186 |
| Seniors | 1,047 | 12,569 |
Your choice between health plan types creates a $118 monthly difference. HMO plans cost $562 per month but provide less flexibility while PPO plans cost $680 monthly yet let you see any doctor without referrals. EPO and POS plans fall between these options, offering moderate flexibility at mid-range costs.
The type of health plan and the level of coverage you choose impact how much you’ll pay for health insurance as can be seen in the table below.
| HMO | 562 | 6,749 |
| POS | 614 | 7,374 |
| EPO | 615 | 7,378 |
| PPO | 680 | 8,159 |
Your health plan type affects which doctors you can see and how much you pay. Each plan balances cost and flexibility differently.
Health insurance premiums differ by company. Monthly costs range from $397 to $1,127 for comparable coverage. Aetna charges the lowest average at $397 per month, while Ambetter costs $435.
Don't stop at comparing premiums. Look at deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums too. Verify your doctors participate in the plan's network. Out-of-network care can cost you thousands more and wipe out any savings from a lower premium.
The table below shows how much different health insurance providers cost on average:
| AETNA | 397 | 4,760 |
| INNOVATION HEALTH PLAN, INC. | 402 | 4,818 |
| BLUE PLUS | 424 | 5,094 |
| SELECTHEALTH, INC. | 431 | 5,175 |
| BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD | 432 | 5,183 |
| AMBETTER | 435 | 5,226 |
| HEALTHKEEPERS, INC. | 437 | 5,240 |
| HARVARD PILGRIM | 438 | 5,258 |
| CAREFIRST BLUECHOICE | 441 | 5,290 |
| MOLINA | 441 | 5,297 |
| CIGNA | 442 | 5,303 |
| HEALTHPARTNERS | 449 | 5,387 |
| OSCAR | 469 | 5,626 |
| SUMMACARE | 469 | 5,632 |
| PHYSICIANS HEALTH PLAN | 476 | 5,710 |
| MEDICA | 480 | 5,756 |
| WELLCARE HEALTH PLANS OF KENTUCKY, INC | 481 | 5,771 |
| OCTAVE | 486 | 5,833 |
| KAISER PERMANENTE | 488 | 5,860 |
| SANFORD HEALTH PLAN | 488 | 5,854 |
| HEALTH ADVANTAGE | 495 | 5,940 |
| PACIFICSOURCE | 496 | 5,955 |
| SELECT HEALTH | 499 | 5,989 |
| DEAN | 504 | 6,046 |
| MODA HEALTH | 505 | 6,063 |
| PRIORITYHEALTH | 506 | 6,068 |
| UNITED HEALTHCARE | 511 | 6,128 |
| ROCKY MOUNTAIN HEALTH PLANS | 525 | 6,298 |
| ALLIANT | 535 | 6,425 |
| WELLCARE HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW JERSEY, INC. | 537 | 6,446 |
| MERCYCARE HEALTH PLANS | 539 | 6,467 |
| VANTAGE HEALTH PLAN | 543 | 6,521 |
| TARO HEALTH | 544 | 6,527 |
| COMMON GROUND HEALTHCARE COOPERATIVE | 550 | 6,602 |
| HEALTH FIRST COMMERCIAL PLANS, INC. | 550 | 6,598 |
| CAPITAL HEALTH | 551 | 6,617 |
| MOUNTAIN HEALTH CO-OP | 551 | 6,610 |
| AULTCARE | 553 | 6,631 |
| ANTHEM | 556 | 6,677 |
| COX HEALTHPLANS | 557 | 6,680 |
| FLORIDA HEALTH CARE PLANS | 557 | 6,684 |
| IMPERIAL HEALTH PLAN OF THE SOUTHWEST, INC. | 557 | 6,688 |
| US HEALTH AND LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | 562 | 6,745 |
| CARESOURCE KENTUCKY CO. | 567 | 6,801 |
| CHORUS COMMUNITY HEALTH PLANS | 572 | 6,860 |
| FIRST CHOICE NEXT | 575 | 6,897 |
| AMERIHEALTH | 578 | 6,939 |
| COMMUNITYCARE | 582 | 6,988 |
| CHRISTUS HEALTH | 583 | 7,000 |
| SCOTT AND WHITE HEALTH PLAN | 584 | 7,013 |
| IMPERIAL INSURANCE COMPANIES, INC. | 586 | 7,034 |
| LIFEWISE WA | 587 | 7,045 |
| AVERA HEALTH PLANS | 594 | 7,124 |
| SENDERO HEALTH PLANS, LOCAL NONPROFIT | 597 | 7,161 |
| CAREFIRST | 601 | 7,212 |
| ASPIRUS ARISE | 605 | 7,256 |
| MODA | 606 | 7,277 |
| COMMUNITY FIRST | 609 | 7,313 |
| SECURITY HEALTH PLAN | 611 | 7,336 |
| COMMUNITY HEALTH CHOICE | 617 | 7,406 |
| CARESOURCE | 630 | 7,565 |
| MCLAREN HEALTH ADVANTAGE | 630 | 7,559 |
| SELECTHEALTH | 632 | 7,582 |
| MEDICAL MUTUAL | 636 | 7,634 |
| BRIDGESPAN | 643 | 7,717 |
| AMERIHEALTH INS COMPANY OF NJ | 651 | 7,811 |
| NETWORK HEALTH | 651 | 7,815 |
| GROUP HEALTH COOPERATIVE-SCW | 657 | 7,888 |
| PARAMOUNT | 658 | 7,891 |
| PROVIDENCE HEALTH PLAN | 667 | 8,008 |
| QUARTZ | 695 | 8,344 |
| AVMED | 717 | 8,601 |
| TARO HEALTH PLAN | 721 | 8,657 |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH HEALTH PLANS | 761 | 9,126 |
| HEALTH ALLIANCE | 816 | 9,787 |
| WELLCARE | 1,127 | 13,529 |
Several factors determine how much you'll pay for health insurance each month. Your age makes a big difference; for instance, older adults pay more than younger people. Where you live also matters, since costs vary dramatically between states and cities. Family size affects your premium, and the plan you pick changes everything from your monthly payment to your deductible.
We will break down each of these factors below, so you know what to look for when you buy health insurance:
Older adults pay more for health insurance than younger people. Insurers charge higher premiums as you age because health care needs typically increase over time. A 60-year-old can pay up to three times more than a 21-year-old for the same coverage under ACA rules. This age-based pricing reflects the higher likelihood of medical expenses as people age.
Where you live changes what you will pay. Each state runs its own insurance market with different levels of competition. Urban areas have more insurers competing for customers, driving prices down. Rural regions have fewer options and higher costs, so your ZIP code matters beyond the state. Cities next to each other can charge different rates because of local health care costs and the doctors and hospitals in the area.
Adding family members to your plan increases your premium, but it's usually cheaper than buying separate policies. Insurers charge more for couples than individuals, and family plans cost more than coverage for two people. The rate structure changes based on how many people you're covering - each additional person raises your monthly payment, though the increase per person drops as your family grows.
However, children's health insurance costs less than adult coverage and includes pediatric dental and vision benefits.
The network structure you choose changes both your premium and your flexibility. HMOs cost less but require you to stay within a specific network and get referrals for specialists. PPOs charge more but let you see any doctor without referrals. EPOs offer middle-ground pricing with network restrictions but no referral requirements. POS plans combine HMO and PPO features, giving you choices with different cost levels depending on whether you stay in-network.
Smoking or using other tobacco products can increase your premium by up to 50% in most states. Insurers charge this surcharge because tobacco users face higher health risks and medical costs. Some states limit or ban tobacco surcharges, and many insurers offer tobacco cessation programs that can help you quit and eventually lower your rates.
Different insurers charge different rates for similar coverage. Each company calculates risk differently and operates with varying overhead costs. Some focus on competitive pricing to attract customers, while others charge more but invest heavily in customer service or provider networks. Shopping between insurers can save you hundreds of dollars annually for comparable coverage.
ACA marketplace plans come in four metal tiers. Bronze metal level plans have the lowest premiums but the highest deductibles. Silver plans offer moderate premiums, the only tier that qualifies for cost-sharing reductions if you're eligible. Gold plans cost more each month but pay a bigger share when you visit the doctor or need medical care. Platinum tier has the highest monthly premiums and lowest deductibles, which works well if you use health care often.
Health insurance covers essential services your family needs to stay healthy and get care when sick or injured. All marketplace plans include 10 core benefit categories required under the Affordable Care Act, though specific coverage details vary by plan and state.
That's not it, some plans provide additional benefits such as adult dental and vision coverage, telemedicine services, wellness programs and health savings account compatibility. Your coverage includes the list of benefits provided below.
High health insurance premiums can affect your budget. However, you don't have to accept the first price you see as several proven strategies can significantly cut your monthly health insurance costs. You can reduce premiums through government subsidies and alternative coverage options.
Below, we discuss these ways to save on health insurance in detail.
Bronze and Catastrophic plans offer the cheapest premiums but require higher out-of-pocket spending when you need care.
You qualify for monthly premium discounts when your income falls between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level.
Earn less than 250% of the poverty level? You'll pay lower deductibles, copays, and coinsurance on Silver plans.
Getting added to a spouse's or parent's workplace insurance often costs less than buying your own policy.
These temporary plans cost significantly less but provide limited coverage and don't meet ACA requirements.
Using your plan's preferred doctors and hospitals prevents surprise bills and keeps costs predictable.
Generic drugs deliver the same results as brand names at a fraction of the cost.
Annual checkups, screenings, and vaccines cost nothing with most plans and catch problems early.
Monthly cost of health insurance varies depending on several factors such as your age, location, and plan choice. For instance, the average premium for children is $359 and for seniors it averages around $1,047. However, you can save on health insurance costs if you qualify for government subsidies or Medicaid. To get the whole picture, you can start by comparing marketplace plans during open enrollment to find health plans that fit your needs.
We've answered the most frequently asked questions on average health insurance costs:
The average monthly cost of health insurance for adults aged 31 to 45 is $599, but your actual price depends on several factors, such as your location, your plan type and the coverage you choose. Also note that these prices may vary due to multiple factors and do not account for cost-sharing reductions or other subsidies.
If you're unemployed, marketplace health insurance costs $599 monthly for adults, but government subsidies can significantly reduce this cost when your income falls between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. Depending on your state and income, you may also qualify for Medicaid. If you are a college student you may qualify for special considerations and may stay on parents' plans until age 26.
Health insurance costs $7,186 yearly for adults, but varies dramatically by age. Children cost $4,303 annually while seniors pay $12,569 per year. Your actual yearly cost depends on your state, plan type, and family size.
Government subsidies reduce premiums if you earn between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. Additionally, if you earn less than 250% of the poverty level, you'll pay lower deductibles, copays, and coinsurance on Silver plans through cost-sharing reductions.
To find affordable health insurance, filter your choices based on your needs, location and plan type. For instance, HMO plans cost $562 monthly while PPOs run $680, so you'll save $118 by choosing the more restrictive network. Consider Bronze plans for the lowest premiums, and compare prices across different states if you're relocating.
Health insurance costs depend on your age, location, plan type and family size, making generic averages nearly useless for budgeting. We accessed comprehensive data to show you what you'll actually pay across different scenarios.
Our Data Source
We downloaded plan data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) government website and calculated state and national averages from 4,639 individual plans across 210 providers.
Sample Profiles Used
Our analysis covers the ages people most often shop for individual coverage: 18, 26, 40, 50, and 60.
Unless stated otherwise, all premium data reflects what a 40-year-old would pay for a Silver-tier plan, the demographic and coverage level representing the most common individual market purchase.
Coverage Types Analyzed
We included every metal tier available on the marketplace: Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans. This approach shows you the complete range from bare-bones coverage to comprehensive protection.
Why This Approach Works for You
Instead of using industry averages that blend group and individual market data, we focused exclusively on plans you can actually buy if you're shopping for individual coverage. The age specific divisions help you budget for coverage at your life stage.
Data Recency
All plan data and premium calculations were last updated in 2025, reflecting current marketplace rates and subsidy structures.
About Deb Gordon
Deb Gordon, the co-founder and CEO of Umbra Health Advocacy, has held executive roles in health insurance and health care technology services. She authored a book titled “The Health Care Consumer’s Manifesto,” based on her research as a senior fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government. Her works have been published on JAMA Network Open, Harvard Business Review blog, USA Today and RealClear Politics, among others.
Gordon is an Aspen Institute Health Innovators Fellow and an Eisenhower Fellow. She was a 2011 Boston Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree and a volunteer at MIT’s Delta V start-up accelerator, the Fierce Healthcare Innovation Awards. She earned her bioethics degree from Brown University and her MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School.
