Healthcare Access
Obamacare Prices by State 2026
Lowest- Cost Bronze Premium (Avg)
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
State | Lowest- Cost Bronze Premium (Avg) 2026↓ | Lowest- Cost Silver Premium (Avg) 2026 | Benchmark Premium (Avg) 2026 | Lowest- Cost Gold Premium (Avg) 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Vermont | $824 | $1,289 | $1,299 | $1,135 |
 | Wyoming | $785 | $1,089 | $1,090 | $1,000 |
 | West Virginia | $775 | $1,036 | $1,073 | $961 |
 | Alaska | $669 | $1,019 | $1,032 | $912 |
 | Connecticut | $623 | $757 | $870 | $805 |
 | New York | $610 | $788 | $817 | $1,057 |
 | Mississippi | $589 | $661 | $662 | $845 |
 | Nebraska | $545 | $710 | $710 | $729 |
 | Delaware | $542 | $685 | $691 | $727 |
 | Maine | $525 | $696 | $709 | $752 |
 | Utah | $510 | $614 | $640 | $701 |
 | Kansas | $508 | $650 | $670 | $684 |
 | Tennessee | $508 | $707 | $711 | $698 |
 | District of Columbia | $505 | $565 | $610 | $649 |
 | Florida | $505 | $674 | $683 | $640 |
 | North Carolina | $489 | $633 | $638 | $662 |
 | Georgia | $485 | $604 | $615 | $638 |
 | South Dakota | $484 | $642 | $655 | $665 |
 | Kentucky | $481 | $577 | $590 | $667 |
 | New Mexico | $473 | $565 | $623 | $509 |
 | Missouri | $465 | $604 | $605 | $579 |
 | Oklahoma | $462 | $602 | $604 | $617 |
 | Montana | $455 | $681 | $692 | $701 |
 | Oregon | $453 | $535 | $543 | $603 |
 | New Jersey | $451 | $538 | $545 | $700 |
 | Arkansas | $447 | $753 | $774 | $647 |
 | Louisiana | $447 | $637 | $646 | $676 |
 | Wisconsin | $443 | $602 | $611 | $640 |
 | California | $440 | $522 | $570 | $572 |
 | Illinois | $436 | $635 | $646 | $539 |
 | Alabama | $433 | $632 | $645 | $706 |
 | Arizona | $430 | $519 | $532 | $602 |
 | Texas | $426 | $651 | $661 | $570 |
 | Colorado | $422 | $535 | $557 | $515 |
 | Hawaii | $414 | $533 | $541 | $542 |
 | South Carolina | $410 | $564 | $564 | $594 |
 | Indiana | $405 | $473 | $474 | $646 |
 | Ohio | $400 | $513 | $513 | $548 |
 | North Dakota | $398 | $553 | $570 | $549 |
 | Nevada | $396 | $495 | $497 | $626 |
 | Massachusetts | $393 | $476 | $494 | $575 |
 | Michigan | $384 | $513 | $523 | $561 |
 | Minnesota | $384 | $437 | $448 | $501 |
 | Rhode Island | $367 | $488 | $506 | $502 |
 | Pennsylvania | $364 | $555 | $572 | $478 |
 | Washington | $364 | $590 | $612 | $466 |
 | Iowa | $359 | $497 | $501 | $466 |
 | Virginia | $351 | $455 | $455 | $441 |
 | Idaho | $346 | $484 | $490 | $511 |
 | New Hampshire | $318 | $394 | $401 | $434 |
 | Maryland | $283 | $403 | $414 | $404 |
- Premiums are monthly. Premiums were analyzed using the lowest-cost premium for each metal tier (bronze, silver, and gold) and the second-lowest-cost silver (benchmark) premium for a 40-year-old in each county and weighted by county plan selections. - In some state-based marketplaces, the premium data for some years are at the rating area level and are mapped to counties before weighting by county plan selections.
- For more information on sources and methodology, see: How ACA Marketplace Premiums Are Changing by County in 2022.
- KFF analysis of data from Healthcare.gov, state rate-review websites, state plan finder tools and CMS analysis of rate changes in the benchmark silver plan, October 2022.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare, introduced significant changes to the healthcare landscape in the United States. Among its provisions was the establishment of health insurance marketplaces, where individuals and families could compare and purchase health insurance plans. These plans are categorized into different metal tiers—bronze, silver, and gold—based on their coverage levels and costs. Premiums, the monthly costs of these plans, vary by state and can have a substantial impact on individuals’ access to healthcare.
A recent analysis of ACA marketplace premiums by state provides insights into the variation in healthcare costs across different parts of the country. The premiums are influenced by a multitude of factors, including the cost of living, healthcare infrastructure, and state-level regulations. For example, states like Vermont and West Virginia have higher average premiums compared to others, possibly due to unique demographic or healthcare market dynamics. On the other hand, states like Maryland and New Hampshire have relatively lower average premiums, reflecting more affordable healthcare options for residents.
