States spending the most, least on health insurance

A silver-level insurance plan costs nearly 20% of the median monthly household income in Vermont, according to WalletHub. 

The personal finance company published a ranking of states spending the most and least on health insurance July 10. WalletHub calculated the average premium for a silver level health insurance plan as a share of median monthly household income.  

In nine states, premiums cost more than 10% of median household income. 

Premium costs have risen by 6% for individual plans and 7% for family plans since 2024, according to WalletHub. 

In the individual market, many insurers are asking for double-digit premium increases for 2026 in the individual and small group exchange markets. 

Here are the 10 states that spend the most on health insurance, as a share of median monthly income: 

1. Vermont: 19.6% 
2. West Virginia: 18.8% 
3. Alaska: 14% 
4. Wyoming: 13.8% 
5. New York: 10.9% 
6. Mississippi: 10.5% 
7. South Dakota: 10.2% 
8. Louisiana: 10.2% 
9. Alabama: 10.1% 
10. New Mexico: 9.7% 

Here are the 10 states that spend the least on health insurance, as a share of median monthly income: 

40. Hawaii: 6% 
41.  Colorado: 5.9% 
42.  California: 5.8% 
43. New Jersey: 5.7% 
44. Rhode Island: 5.6% 
45. Washington: 5.2% 
46. Massachusetts: 5% 
47. Minnesota: 4.9% 
48. Virginia: 4.9% 
49. Maryland: 4.3% 
50. New Hampshire: 4%