Updated: December 5, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Health insurance costs about $687 per month for adults, ranging from $425 for children to $1,448 for seniors.
Maryland offers the cheapest health insurance at $440 monthly while Alaska costs $1039, creating a $599 difference.
Government subsidies cut premiums if you earn between 100% and 400% of the poverty level.
MoneyGeek's analysis found that health insurance costs $687 monthly for an adult buying a marketplace plan. That number shifts dramatically based on who you're covering. Children cost $425 monthly, while seniors pay $1,448.
Your plan choice makes a big difference too. HMO plans run $674 monthly compared to $789 for PPOs with broader networks. Thanks to ACA protections, most health conditions won't increase your premiums.
| Children | $425 | $5,105 |
| Teens | $477 | $5,727 |
| Young Adults | $553 | $6,630 |
| POS | $661 | $7,932 |
| HMO | $674 | $8,085 |
| EPO | $676 | $8,115 |
| With Health Savings Account Elligibility | $681 | $8,172 |
| Adults | $687 | $8,239 |
| PPO | $789 | $9,466 |
| Seniors | $1,448 | $17,372 |
These are national averages and your actual costs can depend on a multitude of factors.
Your premium is what you pay to keep coverage active. Here's what else hits your wallet:
Health insurance premiums vary dramatically by location. Maryland offers the most affordable coverage at $440 monthly, while New York costs $1,101 monthly, more than double. Insurance competition, local health care expenses and population health drive these state differences. For instance, states that have fewer insurers usually have higher premiums.
Please note that these averages are typical costs, 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.
| No | $1,039 | $12,466 |
The average cost of health insurance for a family of four is about $2,230 per month, while family of three spends around $1,802. Larger families often reach their out-of-pocket maximum sooner, helping limit their total yearly spending on medical care.
Some households save money by using separate coverage. For example, one spouse might have affordable employer insurance, while the rest of the family stays on a marketplace plan.
The table below shows the average health insurance costs by family size:
| Individual (Adult) | $687 | $8,240 |
| Couple + 1 Kid | $1,802 | $21,621 |
| Couple + 2 Kids | $2,230 | $26,762 |
| Couple + 3 Kids | $2,659 | $31,903 |
| Couple + 4 Kids | $3,087 | $37,044 |
Your age directly impacts your monthly costs, as costs rise when you get older. Young adults pay $553 monthly, while seniors pay $1,448, 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 reduce costs for those who qualify based on income. Actual costs differ by plan tier, family size and health care needs.
The table below shows the costs for different age groups.
| 0–14 years | $425 | $5,105 |
| 15–21 years | $477 | $5,727 |
| 22–30 years | $553 | $6,630 |
| 31–45 years | $687 | $8,239 |
| 60+ years | $1,448 | $17,372 |
Your choice between health plan types creates a $128 monthly difference. HMO plans cost $674 per month but provide less flexibility while PPO plans cost $789 monthly yet let you see any doctor without referrals. EPO plan 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.
| POS | $661 | $7,932 |
| HMO | $674 | $8,085 |
| EPO | $676 | $8,115 |
| PPO | $789 | $9,466 |
Your health plan type affects which doctors you can see and how much you pay. Each plan balances cost and flexibility differently.
Metal tiers determine what you pay monthly versus when you actually need care. Bronze plans cost $494 monthly on average with higher deductibles when you need care. Platinum plans cost $903 monthly but lower your out-of-pocket expenses for appointments and prescriptions. Silver plans cost $674 monthly and balance affordable premiums with manageable costs at the doctor.
Bronze works best if you rarely visit doctors and want to minimize monthly payments. Gold or Platinum works better if you have regular prescriptions or frequent appointments.
| Expanded Bronze | $494 | $5,931 |
| Bronze | $514 | $6,167 |
| Silver | $674 | $8,085 |
| Gold | $703 | $8,436 |
| Platinum | $903 | $10,833 |
Many things influence how much you pay for health insurance each month. Age plays a big role because older adults usually pay more than younger people. Where you live also affects your premium since prices can vary widely between states and cities.
Family size matters too, and the type of plan you choose affects both your monthly payment and your deductible.
We break down each of these factors in the next sections to help you understand what to consider when buying health insurance.
Older adults pay more for health insurance than younger people. Insurers charge higher premiums as you age because health care needs 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 raises your premium, but it’s usually more affordable than buying separate policies. Insurers charge higher rates for couples than for individuals and family plans cost more than coverage for two people.
The rate structure depends on how many people are included in your plan. Each added member increases your monthly payment, although the cost per person tends to go down as your family grows.
However, children’s health insurance is generally cheaper than adult coverage and often 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 have 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 helps cover the essential care you and your family need to stay healthy and get treatment when you’re sick or injured. All marketplace plans include ten main benefit categories required under the Affordable Care Act, though the exact details can vary depending on your plan and state.
Some plans also offer extra perks such as adult dental and vision coverage, telemedicine access, wellness programs or health savings account options. Your plan’s benefits are listed in the summary below.
Health insurance costs are climbing sharply in 2026, and you're likely feeling the impact regardless of your coverage type. Marketplace premiums jumped about 26% on average, with some states seeing increases of 30% or more, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicare Part B monthly premiums rose to $203 in 2026, up $18 from last year. These mark some of the steepest increases since the Affordable Care Act launched.
Understanding what's driving these increases can help you make smarter choices during open enrollment and plan for future costs.
Healthcare costs are rising faster than inflation
Hospital visits, doctor appointments and prescription drugs cost insurers 7 to 8% more this year, according to insurer rate filings analyzed by the Commonwealth Fund. Popular weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy carry particularly high price tags, along with newer medical treatments that insurers must cover.
The extra financial help ended
Enhanced subsidies that lowered premiums since 2021 will expire in December 2025. Without that help, healthier people often drop coverage when prices jump, leaving insurers covering customers who need more medical care. This shift alone pushed premiums up by as much as 14 percentage points in some areas.
Signing up got more complicated
New paperwork requirements and the end of automatic renewals make enrollment harder. Insurers expect these changes will discourage healthier people from enrolling, which drives up costs for everyone else.
Everything costs more
Rising wages for healthcare workers and higher supply costs continue pushing up what insurers pay for your care across the board.
Health insurance can take up a big part of your budget, but there are ways to lower your costs. You don’t have to settle for the first price you find because there are many ways to reduce what you pay each month. Government subsidies and alternative coverage options can make premiums more affordable.
We explain these money-saving options in the next sections.
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 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.
The monthly cost of health insurance depends on many factors, including your age, location and the type of plan you choose. On average, premiums are about $428 for children and around $1,448 for seniors. You may be able to lower your costs if you qualify for government subsidies or Medicaid.
Compare marketplace plans during open enrollment and find coverage that fits your needs and budget.
We’ve gathered answers to common questions about average health insurance costs to help you understand what to expect:
The average monthly cost of health insurance for adults aged 31 to 45 is $687, 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 $687 monthly for adults, but government subsidies can 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 $8,241 yearly for adults, but varies dramatically by age. Children cost $5,141 annually while seniors pay $17,369 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.
Comparing plans based on your needs, location and budget is the best way to find affordable health insurance. HMO plans average about $562 per month, while PPOs cost around $680, so choosing an HMO could save you roughly $118 each month.
Bronze-tier plans usually have the lowest premiums. If you’re relocating, it helps to check prices in your new state since costs can vary widely.
Health insurance costs depend on your age, location, plan type, and family size, which makes general averages less useful for budgeting. We used comprehensive data to show realistic costs across different situations.
Our Data Source
Plan data was downloaded from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) government website. We calculated state and national averages using 4,639 individual plans from 210 providers.
Sample Profiles Used
The analysis focuses on common ages for individual coverage shoppers: 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Unless noted otherwise, all premium data reflects what a 40-year-old would pay for a Silver-tier plan, the most common coverage level in the individual marketplace.
Coverage Types Analyzed
The data includes all marketplace metal tiers: Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum plans. This gives a full view of options, from basic coverage to more comprehensive protection.
Why This Approach Works for You
Rather than using broad industry averages that mix group and individual markets, we analyzed only the plans available to individual shoppers. The age-based breakdown helps you estimate costs more accurately for your life stage.
Data Recency
All plan data and premium calculations were last updated in 2026 to reflect the latest marketplace rates and subsidy structures.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
