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Where you live is one of the biggest drivers of what you pay for homeowners insurance. Two identical houses, same square footage, same deductible, can cost thousands of dollars apart a year in premiums depending on which state they sit in. The 2026 numbers from Insurance.com show just how wide that gap has become.
The national average in 2026
The average homeowners insurance premium in the US is $2,872 per year in 2026, based on $300,000 in dwelling coverage. That national figure hides enormous variation. Florida sits at the top of the table at $8,471 a year, which is $5,599 above the national average. At the other end, Hawaii comes in at $738.
For a fuller picture of how that national number breaks down, see our guide on how much homeowners insurance costs in 2026.
The most expensive states in 2026
Per Insurance.com’s 2026 analysis for $300,000 in dwelling coverage, the priciest states are:
- Florida: $8,471 per year. Hurricane risk, insurer departures, and years of litigation costs have made it by far the most expensive state despite reform efforts. Rates rose another 6.8% this year.
- Nebraska: $5,513 per year. The biggest mover this year, up 21.1% or about $960, driven largely by severe hail and wind claims.
- Colorado: $5,511 per year. Wildfire risk along the Front Range plus hail season keeps costs high.
- Oklahoma: $5,378 per year. Tornado and hail exposure, up 7.3% from last year.
- Kansas: $5,289 per year. Another hail-and-tornado corridor state.
- Louisiana: $5,185 per year. Faces hurricane exposure similar to Florida, with insurers leaving after recent storm seasons.
- Texas: $4,582 per year. Everything from hurricanes on the Gulf Coast to hail in Dallas-Fort Worth to winter freeze claims.
- Kentucky: $4,471 per year, up 10.6% this year.
The pattern is clear. The expensive states are the ones where severe weather keeps turning into expensive claims: hurricanes, tornadoes, hail, wildfire, and winter storms.
The cheapest states in 2026
On the other end of the table:
- Hawaii: $738 per year
- Vermont: $1,017 per year
- Maine: $1,299 per year
- New Hampshire: $1,324 per year
- Delaware: $1,461 per year
- Pennsylvania: $1,434 per year
- New Jersey: $1,449 per year
These states have lower catastrophe exposure, and a few also have strong rate regulation. California’s $1,653 average is a special case: state regulation has historically held rates down relative to its wildfire risk, though the market there has been under severe strain.
Why state averages differ so much
Weather risk is the main story, but three other factors matter:
Rebuilding costs. Labor and materials are priced locally. Construction input prices were up 8.9% year over year in August 2026, but the starting point differs by market. Rebuilding a house in Denver costs more than rebuilding one in Des Moines.
State regulation. Some states require insurers to get rate increases approved before applying them. That can hold premiums down in the short run, though it can also push insurers out of the market, which is part of what happened in Florida and Louisiana.
Competition. States with many insurers writing policies see more competitive pricing. In states where carriers have pulled back, fewer options mean higher prices. If your state has a shaky market, it is worth reading your declarations page closely and shopping your policy every year.
What this means for your budget
If you are moving or buying, check your state’s average before you finalize your monthly budget. In Florida, insurance can run $700 a month. In Vermont, it is under $90. That difference can change which homes you can afford. Get quotes during the inspection window, before you are locked in, and remember that your premium is only part of the total cost of owning the home. Learn what a standard policy actually covers so you know where the gaps are for your state.
Source: Insurance.com, 2026 average annual rates for $300,000 in dwelling coverage.
