Homeowners insurance is becoming a bigger line in household budgets, particularly where hurricanes, hailstorms and wildfires threaten expensive repairs. The average cost of homeowners insurance in 2026 is not one price that applies everywhere: a homeowner in Florida may face a premium several times higher than someone with similar coverage in Vermont. State averages offer a useful starting point, but the details of your house and policy still matter.
What is the average homeowners insurance cost in 2026?
Insurance.com’s 2026 rate analysis puts the national average at $2,872 annually, or about $239 per month. Its comparison uses $300,000 in dwelling coverage, $300,000 in liability coverage, a $1,000 standard deductible and a 2% hurricane deductible where applicable. These are modeled rates rather than premiums actually paid by every homeowner, and different research firms report different averages because their sample homes and coverage assumptions differ.
Florida tops this particular comparison at $8,471 annually, while Hawaii is lowest at $738. That difference should not be interpreted as identical protection at two prices: standard Hawaii policies generally exclude hurricane damage, which may require separate insurance.
Homeowners insurance rates by state in 2026
The figures below are estimated annual premiums for the same $300,000 dwelling-coverage benchmark, drawn from Insurance.com’s 2026 state comparison. Washington, D.C., is included separately. They are best used to compare broad geographic patterns, not as guaranteed renewal prices.
Alabama through Delaware
Alabama: $3,716; Alaska: $1,492; Arizona: $2,397; Arkansas: $3,195; California: $1,653; Colorado: $5,511; Connecticut: $2,132; Delaware: $1,461; Washington, D.C.: $1,558.
Florida through Louisiana
Florida: $8,471; Georgia: $2,301; Hawaii: $738; Idaho: $2,412; Illinois: $2,802; Indiana: $2,869; Iowa: $3,148; Kansas: $5,289; Kentucky: $4,471; Louisiana: $5,185.
Maine through North Dakota
Maine: $1,299; Maryland: $2,242; Massachusetts: $2,112; Michigan: $3,071; Minnesota: $3,333; Mississippi: $2,602; Missouri: $3,783; 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 through South Dakota
Ohio: $2,109; Oklahoma: $5,378; Oregon: $1,647; Pennsylvania: $1,434; Rhode Island: $2,379; South Carolina: $2,870; South Dakota: $3,740.
Tennessee through Wyoming
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.
Where are premiums highest, and why?
Florida, Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas and Louisiana all exceed $5,000 a year in this dataset. But there is no single explanation. Coastal insurers price hurricane and wind exposure, while Great Plains states experience costly hail and tornado losses. Colorado combines hail exposure with substantial wildfire risk in some communities. Construction labor, replacement materials and insurers’ previous claims also affect the bill.
Statewide averages can hide sharper differences between neighborhoods. A home near the Gulf Coast, for instance, may have different wind requirements and insurer choices from an otherwise similar property farther inland. In wildfire-prone areas, defensible space, roof materials and access for firefighters can influence eligibility as well as pricing.
What changed from 2025 to 2026?
Insurance rate trends show that home insurance premium increases are not uniform. In Insurance.com’s year-over-year comparison, Florida’s average rose from $7,928 in 2025 to $8,471 in 2026. Nebraska climbed from $4,553 to $5,513, an increase of roughly 21%. Colorado rose from $4,963 to $5,511. Some states, however, recorded lower modeled averages, so a national story about rising costs does not mean every household received an increase.
Premiums reflect expected future claims as well as recent losses. Reinsurance expenses, home-rebuilding inflation and changes in insurer competition can all filter through to renewals. An annual premium may also rise because your insurer increased the dwelling limit to keep pace with estimated rebuilding costs, even when the underlying rate changed less.
How to compare a state average with your own quote
Imagine a Texas homeowner whose renewal jumps from $3,400 to $4,200. The 2026 Texas benchmark of $4,582 makes that quote look relatively reasonable, but the comparison means little unless coverage matches. Check whether the dwelling limit, replacement-cost terms, wind or hail deductible and exclusions have changed. A 2% wind deductible on a $300,000 insured dwelling means $6,000 out of pocket before that deductible’s covered claim payment begins.
Look beyond the advertised annual premium. Standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage, according to the National Flood Insurance Program, and coastal homes may need separate flood or wind coverage. A lower-priced homeowners policy plus necessary separate coverage could ultimately cost more than a competing package. Understanding dwelling coverage and hurricane deductibles is particularly useful before switching.
Ways to manage rising homeowners insurance costs
Request quotes from several insurers using the same dwelling limit, liability limit, endorsements and deductibles. Ask your insurer about discounts for qualifying roof improvements, monitored alarms or bundling, but verify the actual savings. Consider a higher deductible only if you could comfortably pay it after a loss. Review your replacement-cost estimate instead of lowering coverage merely to reduce the premium.
Also ask whether your home’s roof age or claims history is affecting renewal terms. Compare the total protection you would have after a disaster, not just the monthly payment. A quick annual policy review can reveal both unnecessary extras and expensive coverage gaps.
Frequently asked questions
Which state has the highest average homeowners insurance premium in 2026?
Florida leads Insurance.com’s 2026 comparison at $8,471 per year for the stated coverage assumptions. Actual costs vary substantially by address and insurer.
Which state has the lowest average premium?
Hawaii averages $738 in this dataset, but standard policies generally exclude hurricane damage. Separate protection changes the real cost comparison.
Why might my quote exceed my state’s average?
Your rebuilding cost, roof condition, claims record, local weather exposure, coverage limits or deductible choices may differ from the sample policy used to calculate the average.
Does homeowners insurance include flood protection?
Most standard homeowners policies do not cover flooding. Check separate flood insurance options and any lender requirements rather than assuming storm coverage includes rising water.
The bottom line
The average cost of homeowners insurance in 2026 is a useful budget benchmark, but the state you live in is only the beginning. Compare like-for-like quotes, inspect catastrophe deductibles and confirm coverage for your area’s biggest risks. The best policy is not necessarily the one with the lowest premium; it is the one that leaves you financially prepared to rebuild.