Homeowners insurance is a required expense for any homeowner with a mortgage. Rates vary dramatically by state, home value, and risk factors. Here’s the complete breakdown.
Average Home Insurance Cost by State (All 50 States)
| Rank | State | Avg. Annual Premium | Avg. Monthly | Primary Risk Factors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma | $5,720 | $477 | Tornadoes, hail, wind |
| 2 | Nebraska | $5,260 | $438 | Hail, tornadoes, severe storms |
| 3 | Kansas | $4,940 | $412 | Tornadoes, hail |
| 4 | Louisiana | $4,680 | $390 | Hurricanes, flooding |
| 5 | Texas | $4,360 | $363 | Hurricanes, hail, wind |
| 6 | Colorado | $4,180 | $348 | Hail, wildfires |
| 7 | Mississippi | $3,820 | $318 | Hurricanes, tornadoes |
| 8 | South Dakota | $3,640 | $303 | Hail, severe weather |
| 9 | Arkansas | $3,480 | $290 | Tornadoes, severe storms |
| 10 | Alabama | $3,340 | $278 | Hurricanes, tornadoes |
| 11 | Missouri | $3,180 | $265 | Tornadoes, hail |
| 12 | Montana | $3,060 | $255 | Wildfires, severe weather |
| 13 | Iowa | $2,920 | $243 | Hail, tornadoes |
| 14 | Minnesota | $2,840 | $237 | Hail, severe winter |
| 15 | North Dakota | $2,780 | $232 | Hail, severe weather |
| 16 | Florida | $2,720 | $227 | Hurricanes (excludes flood) |
| 17 | Kentucky | $2,640 | $220 | Severe storms |
| 18 | Georgia | $2,560 | $213 | Storms, hurricanes (coastal) |
| 19 | Wyoming | $2,480 | $207 | Wind, hail |
| 20 | Indiana | $2,420 | $202 | Tornadoes, storms |
| 21 | Michigan | $2,360 | $197 | Severe weather |
| 22 | South Carolina | $2,320 | $193 | Hurricanes (coastal) |
| 23 | Tennessee | $2,280 | $190 | Tornadoes, storms |
| 24 | Ohio | $2,220 | $185 | Storms, snow |
| 25 | Illinois | $2,180 | $182 | Hail, tornadoes |
| 26 | North Carolina | $2,140 | $178 | Hurricanes (coastal) |
| 27 | West Virginia | $2,080 | $173 | Flooding, storms |
| 28 | New Mexico | $2,040 | $170 | Wildfires, wind |
| 29 | Connecticut | $2,000 | $167 | Storms, aging homes |
| 30 | Pennsylvania | $1,960 | $163 | Storms, winter |
| 31 | New York | $1,920 | $160 | Storms, aging infrastructure |
| 32 | Virginia | $1,860 | $155 | Storms, hurricanes (coastal) |
| 33 | Arizona | $1,800 | $150 | Low risk |
| 34 | Idaho | $1,740 | $145 | Wildfires |
| 35 | Maryland | $1,680 | $140 | Storms |
| 36 | New Jersey | $1,640 | $137 | Coastal storms |
| 37 | Massachusetts | $1,580 | $132 | Coastal, aging homes |
| 38 | Alaska | $1,540 | $128 | Remote, cold |
| 39 | Nevada | $1,480 | $123 | Low risk |
| 40 | Wisconsin | $1,440 | $120 | Winter storms |
| 41 | California | $1,400 | $117 | Wildfires (varies greatly) |
| 42 | Washington | $1,360 | $113 | Low risk |
| 43 | Maine | $1,320 | $110 | Winter storms |
| 44 | Delaware | $1,280 | $107 | Low risk |
| 45 | Rhode Island | $1,240 | $103 | Moderate risk |
| 46 | Hawaii | $1,200 | $100 | Low risk (excludes volcano) |
| 47 | Oregon | $1,160 | $97 | Relatively low risk |
| 48 | Utah | $1,080 | $90 | Very low risk |
| 49 | New Hampshire | $980 | $82 | Low risk |
| 50 | Vermont | $920 | $77 | Low risk |
What Affects Your Homeowners Insurance Premium
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Location (natural disaster risk) | High — the biggest factor |
| Home replacement cost | Higher value = higher premium |
| Deductible chosen | Higher deductible = lower premium |
| Credit score | Better credit = lower premium (in most states) |
| Claims history | Previous claims increase premiums |
| Home age and condition | Older homes cost more to insure |
| Construction type | Wood frame costs more than brick |
| Roof age and material | Newer roof = lower premium |
| Distance to fire station | Closer = lower premium |
| Pool, trampoline, dog breed | Increase liability risk and premium |
| Security systems and smart home | Discounts for alarms, smoke detectors |
| Bundling with auto insurance | 5-25% discount |
For flood insurance — which standard homeowners policies do not cover — see flood insurance cost for the separate policy cost. For the renter’s perspective on property coverage, see renters vs. homeowners insurance. For the homeowners insurance hub, see home insurance hub.
Home Insurance by Home Value
| Home Value | Annual Premium (National Avg.) | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $1,380 | $115 |
| $200,000 | $1,680 | $140 |
| $250,000 | $1,980 | $165 |
| $300,000 | $2,285 | $190 |
| $400,000 | $2,880 | $240 |
| $500,000 | $3,480 | $290 |
| $750,000 | $4,680 | $390 |
| $1,000,000 | $5,880 | $490 |
What Homeowners Insurance Covers (and Doesn’t)
Covered
| Coverage | What It Covers | Typical Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Dwelling (Coverage A) | Home structure damage | Full replacement cost |
| Other structures (B) | Detached garage, fence, shed | 10% of dwelling |
| Personal property (C) | Belongings inside the home | 50-70% of dwelling |
| Loss of use (D) | Hotel/living costs if displaced | 20% of dwelling |
| Personal liability (E) | Lawsuits if someone is injured on your property | $100K-$500K |
| Medical payments (F) | Guest injuries (regardless of fault) | $1K-$5K |
NOT Covered (Common Exclusions)
| Exclusion | Separate Policy Needed |
|---|---|
| Flooding | NFIP flood insurance ($700-$3,000/year) |
| Earthquakes | Earthquake insurance ($800-$5,000/year) |
| Sewer backup | Endorsement ($40-$100/year) |
| Mold (most policies) | Sometimes available as endorsement |
| Wear and tear | Not insurable |
| Neglect/poor maintenance | Not insurable |
| Intentional damage | Not insurable |
How to Save on Home Insurance
| Strategy | Potential Savings |
|---|---|
| Shop around annually | 15-30% |
| Bundle with auto insurance | 5-25% |
| Raise deductible ($500 → $2,500) | 10-25% |
| Improve credit score | 10-30% |
| Install security system | 5-15% |
| Update roof | 5-20% |
| Ask about all discounts | Varies |
| Go claims-free for 3-5 years | 10-20% |
| Review coverage annually | Avoid over-insuring |
Deductible Comparison
| Deductible | Annual Premium (Typical) | Annual Savings vs. $500 |
|---|---|---|
| $500 | $2,500 | — |
| $1,000 | $2,250 | $250 |
| $1,500 | $2,100 | $400 |
| $2,500 | $1,900 | $600 |
| $5,000 | $1,700 | $800 |
Break-even analysis: A $2,500 deductible saves $600/year over a $500 deductible. If you go 3+ years without a claim, the savings exceed the higher out-of-pocket risk.
Insurance Crisis in Select States
Several states face insurance availability challenges:
| State | Issue |
|---|---|
| Florida | Insurers leaving due to hurricane risk; premiums rising 30-50% |
| California | Wildfire risk causing non-renewals; state FAIR plan as last resort |
| Louisiana | Post-hurricane Ida insurer insolvencies; rates doubling |
| Texas | Hail and hurricane losses; consistent premium increases |
| Colorado | Wildfire and hail; increasing non-renewals in mountain areas |
If your private insurer cancels your policy, check your state’s FAIR Plan (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) — a state-backed insurer of last resort.
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