Homeowners insurance costs are still under pressure in 2026, but the national picture hides enormous differences from one state to another. Based on Insurance.com’s 2026 rate analysis, the average annual premium is about $2,872 for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage, $300,000 in liability coverage, a $1,000 deductible, and a 2% hurricane deductible where applicable. That works out to roughly $239 a month, but a homeowner in Florida can pay several times what a similar homeowner might pay in Hawaii, Vermont, or Maine.
The gap reflects much more than home value. Severe weather, wildfire exposure, rebuilding costs, litigation, reinsurance expenses, local claims history, and insurer competition all help shape homeowners insurance rates in 2026. Triple-I has also reported that replacement costs have risen sharply in recent years, adding pressure to premiums even where catastrophe exposure is moderate.
Average homeowners insurance cost by state in 2026
The figures below use the same $300,000 dwelling-coverage benchmark so the states can be compared on a consistent basis. They are market averages, not quotes. Your actual premium can be much higher or lower depending on ZIP code, home age, roof condition, construction type, deductible, claims history, discounts, and the insurer you choose.
Alabama through Georgia
Alabama: $3,716; Alaska: $1,492; Arizona: $2,397; Arkansas: $3,195; California: $1,653; Colorado: $5,511; Connecticut: $2,132; Delaware: $1,461; Florida: $8,471; Georgia: $2,301. Washington, D.C., although not a state, averages about $1,558 under the same coverage assumptions.
Hawaii through Missouri
Hawaii: $738; Idaho: $2,412; Illinois: $2,802; Indiana: $2,869; Iowa: $3,148; Kansas: $5,289; Kentucky: $4,471; Louisiana: $5,185; Maine: $1,299; Maryland: $2,242; Massachusetts: $2,112; Michigan: $3,071; Minnesota: $3,333; Mississippi: $2,602; Missouri: $3,783.
Montana through Pennsylvania
Montana: $3,221; Nebraska: $5,513; Nevada: $1,876; New Hampshire: $1,324; New Jersey: $1,449; New Mexico: $3,497; New York: $1,844; North Carolina: $3,799; North Dakota: $2,846; Ohio: $2,109; Oklahoma: $5,378; Oregon: $1,647; Pennsylvania: $1,434.
Rhode Island through Wyoming
Rhode Island: $2,379; South Carolina: $2,870; South Dakota: $3,740; Tennessee: $3,198; Texas: $4,582; Utah: $1,771; Vermont: $1,017; Virginia: $1,939; Washington: $1,766; West Virginia: $1,961; Wisconsin: $1,836; Wyoming: $2,075.
Which states are most expensive in 2026?
Florida remains the standout at about $8,471 a year, followed by Nebraska at $5,513, Colorado at $5,511, Oklahoma at $5,378, Kansas at $5,289, and Louisiana at $5,185. These states face different combinations of hurricane, hail, tornado, wildfire, and severe-storm risk, along with higher claim and reinsurance costs.
One important nuance is that a high state average does not mean every homeowner pays the same amount. A property close to the Gulf Coast, for example, can be priced very differently from an inland property in the same state. Likewise, wildfire scoring can create large premium differences between nearby California or Colorado communities.
Which states have the lowest average premiums?
Hawaii has the lowest average in this 2026 data at about $738 a year, followed by Vermont at $1,017, Maine at $1,299, New Hampshire at $1,324, and Pennsylvania at $1,434. Hawaii’s figure needs context: standard homeowners policies there generally exclude hurricane damage, so homeowners may need separate hurricane coverage. That can make a simple state comparison look cheaper than the household’s full insurance cost.
Why are premiums still changing so quickly?
Insurance rate trends are being driven by several overlapping forces. Rebuilding a home costs more than it did a few years ago because labor and materials remain expensive. Insurers are also dealing with more frequent or severe catastrophe losses in some regions, while the cost of reinsurance can affect what primary insurers charge consumers.
The 2026 picture is not simply “rates up everywhere.” Insurance.com found that some states saw average premiums fall from 2025 to 2026, while others posted sizable increases. That means a home insurance premium increase should be evaluated locally rather than assumed to match the national trend.
How to use state averages when shopping for coverage
Treat the cost-by-state insurance figure as a benchmark, not a target. Suppose your state average is $3,200 but your renewal comes in at $4,600. Before assuming the quote is unreasonable, compare the dwelling limit, roof age assumptions, wind or hurricane deductible, water-backup coverage, replacement-cost endorsements, and any recent changes in your insurer’s rating model.
Then collect quotes using the same coverage limits and deductibles. A cheaper policy is not a true saving if it reduces dwelling coverage or shifts to a much larger catastrophe deductible. Reviewing a homeowners insurance deductible guide and understanding replacement cost versus market value can make quote comparisons far more meaningful. It can also help to check how much dwelling coverage you actually need before shopping.
FAQ
What is the average cost of homeowners insurance in 2026?
For $300,000 in dwelling coverage, $300,000 in liability coverage, and a $1,000 deductible, the 2026 national average is about $2,872 per year, or roughly $239 per month.
Why does homeowners insurance cost so much more in some states?
Rates reflect expected claim costs. States exposed to hurricanes, hail, tornadoes, wildfire, or expensive rebuilding often have higher premiums. Litigation patterns, reinsurance costs, insurer competition, and local loss history can also matter.
Will my premium match my state average?
Probably not. State averages combine many homes and ZIP codes. Your premium depends on the property, location, coverage limits, deductible, insurance score where permitted, claims history, discounts, and insurer pricing.
Can I lower my homeowners insurance premium in 2026?
Often, yes. Shopping multiple insurers, increasing the deductible carefully, bundling eligible policies, improving roof or wind resistance, installing qualifying protective devices, and correcting inaccurate property details may reduce the premium. Any change should be weighed against the extra out-of-pocket risk.
What the 2026 numbers mean for homeowners
The national average provides a useful reference point, but homeowners insurance is increasingly a local-risk product. In 2026, the biggest differences are appearing where catastrophe exposure, rebuilding costs, and insurance-market pressure intersect. Compare your renewal against both your state benchmark and equivalent quotes, then focus on coverage quality as much as price. The goal is not simply to find the lowest premium, but to avoid paying more than necessary for a policy that can realistically cover a major loss.