Mark ThompsonThe difference in home insurance costs across the country is staggering. The most expensive states pay close to ten times what the cheapest ones do, for coverage on a similar home. If your premium jumped this year, the table below is the fastest way to see whether you’re paying a normal rate for where you live or getting overcharged.
Why the gap is so enormous
Home insurance pricing comes down almost entirely to risk, and risk is mostly about weather. The priciest states are the ones repeatedly hit by catastrophic events: hurricanes along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, hail and tornadoes across the Plains, and increasingly wildfire in the West. Insurers price those expected losses into every policy, which is why a coastal Florida or Louisiana homeowner can pay several times what someone in Hawaii, Vermont, or Delaware pays.
What does not explain the gap, mostly, is the cost of the house itself. A modest home in a high-risk state can easily cost more to insure than a far pricier home in a calm-weather state.
What actually moves your own premium
Within any state, the levers that change your rate the most are:
- Your deductible. Raising it from $1,000 to $2,500 often cuts the premium meaningfully. Just keep the difference in savings.
- Claims history. A single claim, even a small one, can raise your rate for years. For minor damage, it’s often cheaper to pay out of pocket than to file.
- Bundling home and auto with one insurer, which commonly earns a double-digit discount.
- Roof age and condition, which has become one of the biggest pricing factors as insurers tighten standards.
How to use this table
Find your state and compare it to your actual premium. If you’re paying well above your state’s average, that’s your signal to shop, getting quotes from three insurers is the single most reliable way to find out whether you’re overpaying. If you’re below it, you’re likely in good shape, but it’s still worth re-checking every couple of years as the market shifts.
Figures are state averages from Bankrate / Quadrant Information Services for 2025 and are not a quote. Your actual cost depends on your home’s value, location, coverage limits, deductible, and claims history. This is general information, not financial or insurance advice.