Healthcare Cost by State Calculator
Compare healthcare costs across US states including insurance premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, and average medical expenses.
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This calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and standard financial formulas. This is not financial advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor for decisions specific to your situation. Full Disclaimer
Things to Know
Essential concepts for understanding your results
VariationHow much do healthcare costs vary by state?
Annual healthcare spending per person ranges from $6,500 in Utah to $12,500+ in Alaska — nearly 2x variation. High-cost states (AK, CT, MA, NY, NJ) have higher provider salaries, more expensive facilities, and greater utilization. Lower-cost states (UT, ID, AR, MS) have lower labor costs and less intensive care patterns. Insurance premiums reflect this: a Silver plan for a 40-year-old ranges from $350/month in New Mexico to $700/month in Wyoming.
ACA MarketplaceHow do ACA subsidies change the picture?
Premium tax credits make healthcare affordable regardless of state for incomes under ~400% of the federal poverty level. A family of four earning $80,000 pays roughly the same net premium in high-cost Massachusetts as in low-cost Arkansas after subsidies. The subsidy adjusts to local benchmark plan costs. This means the state-level cost variation matters most for out-of-pocket costs (deductibles, copays, coinsurance) and for those above the subsidy threshold.
Cost DriversWhat drives healthcare cost differences between states?
Three primary factors: provider consolidation (states with fewer competing hospital systems have higher prices), labor costs (healthcare worker salaries in NYC are 50-70% higher than in rural Mississippi), and health of the population (states with higher obesity, smoking, and chronic disease rates generate more claims). States with Certificate of Need laws (requiring government permission to build new facilities) tend to have less competition and higher costs.
Healthcare Costs by State: How Much Americans Pay
Healthcare spending in the US varies by up to 2x between the cheapest and most expensive states. These differences affect insurance premiums, out-of-pocket costs, provider charges, and prescription drug prices. Whether you are choosing where to retire, evaluating a job relocation, or simply understanding your costs, state-level healthcare data is essential context.
Per capita health spending by state (CMS National Health Expenditure Data, 2022 latest available):
| State | Per Capita Spending | vs National Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $14,800 | +28% |
| New York | $13,800 | +20% |
| Massachusetts | $13,700 | +19% |
| Connecticut | $13,200 | +15% |
| New Jersey | $12,100 | +5% |
| US Average | $11,500 | Baseline |
| California | $10,800 | -6% |
| Texas | $9,900 | -14% |
| Florida | $10,400 | -10% |
| Georgia | $9,200 | -20% |
| Utah | $7,900 | -31% |
According to CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services), the US spent $4.5 trillion on healthcare in 2022 — approximately $13,493 per person and 17.3% of GDP. No other developed country spends more than 12% of GDP on healthcare, making the US an extreme outlier in both total spending and out-of-pocket burden.
ACA Marketplace Premiums by State
For the 16 million Americans purchasing insurance through the ACA marketplace, premiums vary significantly by state, age, and plan level. The benchmark Silver plan (used to calculate subsidies) provides the most meaningful comparison:
| State | Benchmark Silver (40-yr-old, 2025) | After Avg Subsidy |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $842/mo | $145/mo |
| West Virginia | $787/mo | $120/mo |
| Alaska | $730/mo | $105/mo |
| Vermont | $702/mo | $130/mo |
| US Median | $520/mo | $95/mo |
| Minnesota | $380/mo | $65/mo |
| Maryland | $395/mo | $70/mo |
| New Hampshire | $365/mo | $60/mo |
Key insight: Subsidies equalize costs for lower-income enrollees. Under the ACA's enhanced subsidies (extended through 2025, pending further extension), a household earning 150% of the Federal Poverty Level ($29,160 for a family of 2 in 2026) pays approximately $0–$50/month regardless of the state's benchmark rate. Subsidies phase out gradually, fully disappearing above 400% FPL ($124,800 family of 4). KFF data shows 87% of marketplace enrollees receive subsidies.
Employer Health Insurance Premiums by State
For the 155 million Americans with employer-sponsored insurance, the Kaiser Family Foundation's annual Employer Health Benefits Survey shows continued premium growth:
2024 national averages (KFF/HRET): Individual coverage: $8,951/year ($746/month total), employee share: $1,368/year ($114/month). Family coverage: $25,572/year ($2,131/month total), employee share: $6,296/year ($525/month).
Premiums have increased approximately 47% over the last decade (2014–2024), while wages grew only 38% and inflation was 31%. The gap means healthcare consumes an increasing share of total compensation — the average employer health benefit is now equivalent to a $8,951 tax-free raise that employees never see in their paycheck.
Deductible trends: The average individual deductible for employer plans is $1,787 (KFF 2024). For workers at small firms: $2,575. For HDHP plans: $2,900. Deductibles have more than doubled since 2010 ($917), meaning employees pay significantly more out-of-pocket before insurance kicks in. Pairing an HDHP with an HSA is the most tax-efficient way to handle these rising deductibles.
Medicare Costs by State
While Medicare Part A (hospital) is premium-free for most retirees, Parts B, D, and supplemental coverage vary significantly:
Medicare Part B (2026): Standard premium approximately $185/month. Higher-income surcharges (IRMAA): income above $106,000 (single) / $212,000 (joint) triggers premiums of $259–$594/month per person. At $500,000+ income: $594/month — 3.2x the standard premium.
Medigap supplemental plans: Plan G (the most popular) ranges from $120–$300/month depending on state, age, and carrier. Florida, Texas, and Midwest states tend to have the lowest Medigap premiums. New York and California tend to be highest.
Total annual Medicare cost for a typical retiree couple (2026): Part B: $4,440 ($185 × 2 × 12). Part D: $960 ($40 × 2 × 12). Medigap Plan G: $4,800 ($200 × 2 × 12). Dental/vision: $1,200. Out-of-pocket: $2,500. Total: approximately $13,900/year — or $1,158/month. This is a significant budget item that many pre-retirees underestimate.
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