Average Home Insurance Cost by State: What You’ll Actually Pay
Two identical houses can carry home insurance premiums that differ by 3x depending on the state line they sit on. They are not buying a different product — they are buying protection against different risks.
The national baseline
The NAIC compiles the most authoritative state-by-state homeowners data; its most recent report covers 2022 policy data (published 2025): national average HO-3 premium $1,569; +11.26% from 2021 to 2022. NAIC figures lag ~2–3 years (validated regulatory filings), so 2025–2026 live premiums run higher. Treat the numbers as a relative map, then pull a live quote.
The spread (2022 NAIC)
| Tier | State | Avg HO-3 (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Highest | Florida | $2,677 |
| Highest | Louisiana | $2,603 |
| National avg | — | $1,569 |
| Lowest | Utah | $937 |
| Lowest | Oregon | $893 |
. The ~3x gap is structural — it tracks physical risk, not market noise.
What drives the variation
- Catastrophe risk (largest factor) — hurricanes (FL, LA, MS, TX), wildfire (CA, Mountain West), severe storms/hail (Plains). Mild-weather states sit at the bottom.
- Rebuild (replacement) cost — local labor/materials/codes; post-disaster “demand surge.” Dwelling coverage should reflect rebuild cost — see how much you need.
- Claims history & litigation — high frequency/litigation/fraud raises the pool’s premiums (e.g., FL).
- Regulation & your own factors — coverage/deductible, home/roof age, construction, claims history, credit-based insurance score (restricted/banned for homeowners in CA, MD, MA).
What the state average doesn’t include
Flood is excluded from every standard policy — separate NFIP/private purchase (flood vs homeowners). Coastal wind/hurricane deductibles are often a % of dwelling coverage. Earthquake is excluded/separate. When buying, also budget closing-side title insurance.
How to use these numbers
Find your state’s tier → pull ≥3 live quotes (the lag makes any single national figure a weak 2026 predictor) → compare on identical limits/deductibles → price flood/wildfire separately if exposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
US average?
~$1,569 (2022 NAIC, published 2025); live 2026 runs higher.
Why is Florida so expensive?
Hurricanes + high rebuild cost + heavy claims litigation → ~$2,677 (2022 NAIC), highest in the nation.
Cheapest state?
Oregon (~$893), then Utah (~$937) — low-catastrophe.
Does credit affect my rate?
In most states yes (credit-based insurance score); CA, MD, MA restrict/ban it for homeowners.
CTA: Get coverage right first — start with how much homeowners insurance you need.
Sources: NAIC Homeowners Insurance Report (2022 data, pub. 2025); Insurance Information Institute (III) facts/statistics; NAIC rating-factor materials.