Home Insurance Costs by State: 2025 Complete Comparison Guide
Homeowners insurance premiums vary dramatically across the United States, with natural disaster risk being the biggest driver. Homeowners in Oklahoma pay nearly four times what homeowners in Vermont pay for similar coverage. This guide breaks down costs by state and explains what’s behind the differences.
National Overview
National average annual premium: $2,377 Cheapest state: Vermont ($855/year) Most expensive state: Oklahoma ($4,899/year)
Complete State-by-State Cost Rankings
Average Annual Homeowners Insurance Premiums
| Rank | State | Annual Premium | vs. National Avg | Primary Risk Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | $855 | -64% | Low natural disaster risk |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $912 | -62% | Minimal severe weather |
| 3 | Maine | $967 | -59% | Low population density |
| 4 | Wisconsin | $1,023 | -57% | Moderate weather risk |
| 5 | Utah | $1,078 | -55% | Low humidity, fewer storms |
| 6 | Oregon | $1,089 | -54% | Moderate fire risk |
| 7 | Delaware | $1,112 | -53% | Small state, low exposure |
| 8 | Idaho | $1,134 | -52% | Low population, few claims |
| 9 | Washington | $1,156 | -51% | Earthquake excluded standard |
| 10 | Ohio | $1,178 | -50% | Moderate weather |
| 11 | Arizona | $1,198 | -50% | Low humidity |
| 12 | Montana | $1,223 | -49% | Sparse population |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | $1,245 | -48% | Moderate risk profile |
| 14 | Wyoming | $1,267 | -47% | Low density |
| 15 | Nevada | $1,289 | -46% | Desert climate |
| 16 | California | $1,312 | -45% | Fire risk increasing |
| 17 | New York | $1,334 | -44% | Moderate weather |
| 18 | New Jersey | $1,356 | -43% | Coastal exposure |
| 19 | Virginia | $1,378 | -42% | Moderate hurricane risk |
| 20 | Michigan | $1,398 | -41% | Winter weather |
| 21 | Indiana | $1,423 | -40% | Tornado alley fringe |
| 22 | Illinois | $1,456 | -39% | Tornado/hail risk |
| 23 | North Carolina | $1,489 | -37% | Hurricane exposure |
| 24 | Maryland | $1,512 | -36% | Coastal/storm risk |
| 25 | New Mexico | $1,534 | -35% | Fire risk |
| 26 | Connecticut | $1,567 | -34% | Coastal storms |
| 27 | Massachusetts | $1,598 | -33% | Nor’easters |
| 28 | Alaska | $1,623 | -32% | Remote/logistics |
| 29 | Tennessee | $1,678 | -29% | Tornado risk |
| 30 | West Virginia | $1,712 | -28% | Flood risk |
| 31 | Iowa | $1,756 | -26% | Hail/tornado |
| 32 | Hawaii | $1,789 | -25% | Hurricane/volcano |
| 33 | Rhode Island | $1,823 | -23% | Coastal exposure |
| 34 | South Carolina | $1,867 | -21% | Hurricane risk |
| 35 | Georgia | $1,923 | -19% | Storm/hail |
| 36 | Missouri | $1,978 | -17% | Tornado alley |
| 37 | Kentucky | $2,034 | -14% | Tornado risk |
| 38 | Minnesota | $2,089 | -12% | Hail/winter storms |
| 39 | North Dakota | $2,145 | -10% | Severe weather |
| 40 | Arkansas | $2,234 | -6% | Tornado/storm |
| 41 | South Dakota | $2,312 | -3% | Hail corridor |
| 42 | Mississippi | $2,456 | +3% | Hurricane/tornado |
| 43 | Alabama | $2,567 | +8% | Hurricane/tornado |
| 44 | Texas | $2,789 | +17% | Hail/hurricane/tornado |
| 45 | Kansas | $2,934 | +23% | Tornado alley core |
| 46 | Florida | $3,234 | +36% | Hurricane capital |
| 47 | Colorado | $3,456 | +45% | Catastrophic hail |
| 48 | Nebraska | $3,678 | +55% | Severe hail storms |
| 49 | Louisiana | $4,234 | +78% | Hurricane exposure |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $4,899 | +106% | Tornado + hail epicenter |
Based on $300,000 dwelling coverage, $100,000 liability. Actual rates vary by home characteristics and insurer.
Regional Analysis
Northeast (Lowest Average: $1,367)
| State | Annual Premium | Key Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | $855 | Minimal |
| New Hampshire | $912 | Minimal |
| Maine | $967 | Winter weather |
| Pennsylvania | $1,245 | Moderate |
| New York | $1,334 | Coastal in NYC area |
| New Jersey | $1,356 | Shore exposure |
| Connecticut | $1,567 | Coastal storms |
| Massachusetts | $1,598 | Nor’easters |
| Rhode Island | $1,823 | Coastal |
Southeast (Average: $2,178)
| State | Annual Premium | Key Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $1,378 | Hurricane fringe |
| North Carolina | $1,489 | Hurricane |
| Tennessee | $1,678 | Tornado |
| South Carolina | $1,867 | Hurricane |
| Georgia | $1,923 | Storm/hail |
| Mississippi | $2,456 | Hurricane/tornado |
| Alabama | $2,567 | Hurricane/tornado |
| Florida | $3,234 | Hurricane |
| Louisiana | $4,234 | Hurricane |
Midwest (Average: $1,934)
| State | Annual Premium | Key Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $1,023 | Moderate |
| Ohio | $1,178 | Moderate |
| Indiana | $1,423 | Tornado fringe |
| Illinois | $1,456 | Tornado/hail |
| Michigan | $1,398 | Winter weather |
| Iowa | $1,756 | Hail/tornado |
| Missouri | $1,978 | Tornado alley |
| Minnesota | $2,089 | Hail/winter |
| North Dakota | $2,145 | Severe weather |
| South Dakota | $2,312 | Hail corridor |
| Kansas | $2,934 | Tornado alley |
| Nebraska | $3,678 | Severe hail |
West (Average: $1,289)
| State | Annual Premium | Key Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Utah | $1,078 | Low risk |
| Oregon | $1,089 | Wildfire |
| Idaho | $1,134 | Low risk |
| Washington | $1,156 | Earthquake (excluded) |
| Arizona | $1,198 | Monsoon |
| Montana | $1,223 | Sparse population |
| Wyoming | $1,267 | Low risk |
| Nevada | $1,289 | Desert/low risk |
| California | $1,312 | Wildfire crisis |
| New Mexico | $1,534 | Wildfire |
| Alaska | $1,623 | Remote logistics |
| Hawaii | $1,789 | Hurricane/volcano |
| Colorado | $3,456 | Catastrophic hail |
Southwest (Average: $2,874)
| State | Annual Premium | Key Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | $2,789 | Multi-peril |
| Oklahoma | $4,899 | Tornado capital |
| Arkansas | $2,234 | Tornado |
What Drives Home Insurance Costs?
1. Natural Disaster Risk
| Disaster Type | Highest-Risk States | Premium Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | FL, LA, TX coast, NC, SC | +50% to +150% |
| Tornado | OK, KS, NE, TX panhandle | +40% to +100% |
| Hail | CO, NE, TX, OK, KS | +30% to +80% |
| Wildfire | CA, CO, OR, WA, AZ | +20% to +50% |
| Earthquake | CA, WA, AK (separate policy) | N/A (excluded) |
| Flood | All states (separate policy) | N/A (excluded) |
2. Construction Costs
| Region | Construction Cost Index | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast | 125 | +10-15% premiums |
| West Coast | 130 | +12-18% premiums |
| Midwest | 95 | -5-10% premiums |
| South | 92 | -8-12% premiums |
3. Local Claims History
Insurers track claims at the ZIP code level:
| Factor | Premium Impact |
|---|---|
| High burglary rate | +5% to +15% |
| Frequent water damage | +10% to +25% |
| Fire department response time | +5% to +20% |
| Claims frequency in neighborhood | +10% to +30% |
4. Age and Condition of Home
| Home Age | Premium Impact | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| New (0-5 years) | -10% to -20% | Modern codes, materials |
| 6-15 years | Baseline | Standard risk |
| 16-30 years | +5% to +15% | Wear, older systems |
| 30+ years | +15% to +40% | Higher maintenance, claims |
5. Roof Condition
| Roof Type/Age | Premium Impact |
|---|---|
| New (0-5 years) | -10% to -20% |
| Metal roof | -10% to -25% |
| Impact-resistant shingles | -10% to -35% |
| Tile/slate | -5% to -15% |
| Wood shake | +10% to +25% |
| Roof 15+ years | +10% to +30% |
Coverage Comparison: What’s Included?
Standard Homeowners Policy (HO-3)
| Coverage | Typical Limits | What’s Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Dwelling (Coverage A) | Home value | Structure damage |
| Other Structures (B) | 10% of dwelling | Garage, shed, fence |
| Personal Property (C) | 50-70% of dwelling | Belongings |
| Loss of Use (D) | 20% of dwelling | Temporary housing |
| Liability (E) | $100K-$500K | Lawsuits, injuries |
| Medical Payments (F) | $1K-$5K | Guest injuries |
What’s NOT Covered (Needs Separate Policy)
| Peril | Separate Policy Needed | Avg Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | NFIP or private flood | $700 - $3,000 |
| Earthquake | Earthquake policy | $800 - $5,000 |
| Sewer backup | Endorsement | $50 - $200 |
| Jewelry/valuables | Floater/rider | $100 - $500 |
High-Risk State Profiles
Florida: The Hurricane State
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Avg premium | $3,234/year |
| Citizens (state insurer) | Insurer of last resort, 1.2M policies |
| Private market | Many withdrawing or limiting coverage |
| Roof requirements | Must meet current code for coverage |
| Deductibles | Hurricane deductible 2-5% of dwelling |
Florida-specific tips:
- Roof certification can reduce premiums
- Mitigation discounts for hurricane shutters, impact windows
- Shop annually—market is volatile
California: Wildfire Crisis
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Avg premium | $1,312/year (but varies wildly) |
| FAIR Plan | State backup for uninsurable homes |
| High-risk areas | Premiums can exceed $10,000/year |
| Non-renewals | Thousands annually in fire zones |
California-specific tips:
- Defensible space can lower premiums
- FAIR Plan + DIC policy for full coverage
- Some insurers offer discounts for fire-resistant materials
Oklahoma/Kansas: Tornado Alley
| Factor | Oklahoma | Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg premium | $4,899 | $2,934 |
| Tornado risk | Extreme | Very High |
| Hail claims | Highest in nation | Top 5 |
| Wind deductible | Common 1-2% | Common 1-2% |
Tornado alley tips:
- Impact-resistant roofing = 10-35% discount
- Storm shelters may qualify for discounts
- Higher deductibles can significantly lower premiums
Colorado: Hail Capital
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Avg premium | $3,456/year |
| Hail claims | Among highest nationally |
| Front Range | Highest risk corridor |
| Roof replacements | Frequent from hail damage |
How to Lower Your Home Insurance Costs
1. Bundle with Auto (Saves 10-25%)
Most insurers offer multi-policy discounts.
2. Increase Deductible (Saves 15-30%)
| Deductible | Avg Annual Savings |
|---|---|
| $500 → $1,000 | 15% |
| $1,000 → $2,500 | 20% |
| $2,500 → $5,000 | 25% |
3. Improve Home Security (Saves 5-20%)
| Improvement | Discount |
|---|---|
| Burglar alarm (monitored) | 5-15% |
| Smoke/fire alarm (monitored) | 3-10% |
| Smart home devices | 3-8% |
| Deadbolt locks | 2-5% |
| Gated community | 5-10% |
4. Upgrade Roof and Systems
| Upgrade | Discount |
|---|---|
| New roof | 10-20% |
| Impact-resistant shingles | 10-35% |
| Updated electrical | 5-10% |
| Updated plumbing | 5-10% |
| Updated HVAC | 5-10% |
5. Maintain Claims-Free Record
| Claims-Free Years | Discount |
|---|---|
| 3 years | 5-10% |
| 5 years | 10-20% |
| 10+ years | 15-25% |
6. Ask About All Discounts
| Discount Type | Typical Savings |
|---|---|
| New home | 8-15% |
| Senior citizen (55+) | 5-10% |
| Non-smoker | 5-10% |
| Loyalty (3+ years) | 5-10% |
| Pay in full | 5-10% |
| Autopay/paperless | 3-5% |
Cost by Coverage Amount
How Dwelling Coverage Affects Premium
| Dwelling Coverage | Avg Annual Premium | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $1,423 | Smaller/older homes |
| $200,000 | $1,734 | Entry-level homes |
| $250,000 | $2,045 | Average homes |
| $300,000 | $2,377 | National avg dwelling |
| $400,000 | $2,989 | Above-average homes |
| $500,000 | $3,567 | Higher-value homes |
| $750,000 | $4,712 | Upscale homes |
| $1,000,000+ | $6,234+ | Luxury homes |
Moving Between States: Premium Changes
| Move | Expected Change |
|---|---|
| Vermont → Oklahoma | +473% |
| Vermont → Florida | +278% |
| California → Texas | +113% |
| New York → Louisiana | +217% |
| Oklahoma → Vermont | -83% |
| Florida → Ohio | -64% |
Important: Update your policy immediately when moving. Coverage needs change with location, and your current policy may not transfer.
Flood Insurance: A Separate Consideration
Standard homeowners insurance excludes flood damage. If you’re in or near a flood zone, you need separate coverage:
NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) Rates
| Zone | Risk Level | Avg Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| A, AE | High risk (100-year flood) | $1,000 - $4,000 |
| B, C, X | Moderate/low risk | $400 - $1,000 |
| V, VE | Coastal high risk | $2,000 - $10,000+ |
Private flood insurance may offer better rates or higher limits in some areas.
Conclusion
Home insurance costs vary by over 400% between states, driven primarily by natural disaster risk. Tornado, hurricane, and hail exposure create the biggest premium differences.
Cheapest states: Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Wisconsin, Utah Most expensive states: Oklahoma, Louisiana, Florida, Nebraska, Colorado
Key takeaways:
- Disaster risk is the biggest cost driver
- Roof condition significantly impacts premiums
- Bundling and security discounts can save 20-40%
- Flood and earthquake need separate policies
- Shop around—rates vary significantly between insurers
Rates shown are state averages for illustrative purposes. Your actual premium depends on home value, location, construction type, claims history, and chosen coverage limits. Get quotes from multiple insurers for accurate pricing.
Comments