Car Insurance Rates by State: 2026 Comparison
The average cost car insurance ranges from $128 per month in the cheapest state, Vermont, to $335 per month in the most expensive state, Nevada.
That's a difference of about $207 per month, or $2,478 per year, depending on the state where you live. Car insurance rates differ by location because of state regulations, weather, crime and road risks of different places.
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Auto insurance rates by state
Nevada is the most expensive state for car insurance.
Nevada drivers pay an average of $335 per month for full coverage car insurance.
Vermont has the lowest car insurance rates, at $128 per month for full coverage. Full coverage auto insurance costs an average of $208 per month nationally.
Cost by state
Cheapest rates in each state
Most expensive rates in each state
Average monthly auto insurance prices by state
Cost by state
Average monthly auto insurance prices by state
Cheapest rates in each state
Lowest car insurance rates by state
State | Cheapest company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Travelers | $134 |
| Alaska | Geico | $129 |
| Arizona | Progressive | $176 |
| Arkansas | Shelter | $165 |
| California | Geico | $143 |
Rates are for a full coverage policy with collision and comprehensive coverage along with higher liability limits than the state requirement.
Most expensive rates in each state
Highest car insurance rates by state
State | Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Nationwide | $301 |
| Alaska | Allstate | $230 |
| Arizona | Allstate | $388 |
| Arkansas | Farmers | $329 |
| California | State Farm | $287 |
Rates are for a full coverage policy with higher liability limits than the state requirement, plus collision and comprehensive coverage.
In addition to the state where you live, factors like your age and driving history also affect your car insurance rates. For example, if you have a speeding ticket or caused a car accident, you'll usually pay more than someone with a clean driving record.
Car insurance rates by city
Car insurance rates also vary widely within states. Typically, cities with more people have higher insurance rates. Busier roads mean you're more likely to get into an accident, which means higher prices for car insurance.
For example, in Texas, full coverage car insurance costs about $53 more per month in a massive city like Houston than in a smaller and less traffic-heavy city such as Corpus Christi.
Compare car insurance rates for cities in your state
When estimating car insurance rates, don't rely only on state averages. Find out how much car insurance costs in the city where you live.
Compare auto insurance rates by ZIP code
Car insurance rates also differ between neighborhoods. The ZIP code where you live within a city can affect rates considerably.
For example, in New York City, full coverage car insurance costs an average of $331 per month in the ZIP code 10021, in Manhattan's Upper East Side. But it costs twice as much — $637 per month — in ZIP code 11212, the Brooklyn neighborhood of Brownsville.
Don't be worried if your auto insurance rates change when you move across town. Compare quotes for the cheapest car insurance companies to find the best deal in your new ZIP code.
States with the cheapest car insurance
Vermont, Maine, Wyoming and New Hampshire have the cheapest car insurance rates in the country.
These states don't have big populations or large cities, which typically have more traffic and higher accident and auto theft rates.
Top 10 states with the lowest car insurance rates
- Vermont: $128/mo
- Maine: $129/mo
- Wyoming: $131/mo
- New Hampshire: $134/mo
- North Carolina: $147/mo
In addition, all four states have fewer uninsured drivers than the U.S. average. Those are some of the reasons why full coverage car insurance in Vermont, Maine, Wyoming and New Hampshire costs less than $135 per month, on average.
States with the highest car insurance rates
Nevada, Louisiana and Florida are the most expensive car insurance states.
Nevada has the highest rates in the country because of traffic congestion around cities such as Las Vegas and Reno, where much of the state's population lives.
Top 10 states with the highest car insurance rates
- Nevada: $335/mo
- Louisiana: $327/mo
- Florida: $311/mo
- Connecticut: $305/mo
- Delaware: $302/mo
- Rhode Island: $276/mo
- Colorado: $272/mo
- Michigan: $260/mo
- New Jersey: $249/mo
- Texas: $247/mo
Traffic congestion is also a problem in Florida, along with a high rate of uninsured drivers.
Louisiana has a very high accident rate, compared to other states. Drivers in Louisiana and Florida also have to worry about flood or hurricane damage.
How do state requirements affect car insurance costs?
Higher coverage requirements set by states usually lead to higher car insurance rates.
Each state has different car insurance laws. Most states usually require bodily injury and property damage liability insurance, which pay for damage you cause in an accident. Some states also require uninsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.
- Bodily injury liability (BI)
- Property damage liability (PD)
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist (UIM) bodily injury
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist (UIM) property damage
- Personal injury protection (PIP)
No-fault states vs. fault states
Car insurance can be expensive in states that have no-fault car insurance. This means drivers need to have personal injury protection, or PIP insurance, to cover their own medical bills after an accident. A driver's right to sue after an accident is also limited.
Of the 12 no-fault states, three are in the top 10 for the highest auto insurance rates.
The 12 no-fault states
In at-fault states, the person who causes the car accident must use their liability insurance to pay for the other driver's injuries and property damage.
A few states, including New Jersey and Pennsylvania, let you pay more to opt out of the no-fault system. This option allows you to sue for pain and suffering.
Some states, such as Delaware and Oregon, require PIP even though they are fault states.
Is full coverage required in my state?
Full coverage car insurance is not required by any state.
However, your lender usually requires it if you have a car loan or lease.
Full coverage gives you more protection than a minimum coverage policy. It includes collision and comprehensive coverages to pay for nearly any damage to your car, regardless of whose fault it is. Full coverage can also have higher liability limits beyond what your state requires.
You should consider dropping full coverage if your car is worth less than $5,000 or if it's more than eight years old.
Full coverage car insurance costs about $132 more per month than a minimum coverage policy.
The smallest price difference is in New Hampshire, where full coverage costs only $79 more per month than minimum coverage. Louisiana has the largest difference in price, at $226 per month.
Of the major national companies, American Family is the cheapest company for full coverage. But you may find a better deal with a local or regional company, so get car insurance quotes from multiple companies before buying a policy.
What other factors besides your state affect auto insurance rates?
Your age, driving record and credit score typically have a big impact on your car insurance rates.
- Driving record: If you have speeding tickets or accidents on your record, companies assume you're a high-risk driver and typically raise your rates.
- Age: Young drivers pay much more for car insurance. Rates drop quickly between ages 16 and 25. After leveling off in middle age, rates slowly start to rise again after age 65.
- Credit score: Insurance companies use your credit report to help calculate your credit-based insurance score. Usually, a good or excellent credit score gets you a lower rate on car insurance. A poor or bad credit score means you'll probably pay more. However, several states, including Michigan, Hawaii and California, don't allow insurance companies to use credit scores to set rates.
- Car: The more expensive your car is to repair, the more you'll usually pay for insurance. Expect to pay more if you have a luxury car, sports car or electric car.
- Gender: Men typically spend more time on the road and get into more accidents than women, especially when they're young. With the exception of a few states, insurance companies generally charge men higher rates than women to reflect this increased risk.
- Lapse in coverage: Any gap in insurance coverage means your insurance rates will likely be higher. A gap of more than a month could increase your rates by 8%.
Every company has its own unique formula for setting rates, and some companies consider certain factors more than others. That's why it's so important to compare quotes so you can maximize your chance of getting the best rate.
How can moving states impact your car insurance rates?
Moving across state lines will likely affect your auto insurance rates.
As a general rule, auto insurance rates are usually higher in states that require more insurance to drive legally. States with lower requirements tend to have lower average insurance rates.
Comparing the requirements can help you estimate your car insurance rates to see how your bills might change after a move.
For example, drivers who move from Ohio to Florida will likely pay more for car insurance after the move.
Florida drivers pay more than double what Ohio drivers pay for full coverage insurance, on average. This is partly because Florida requires personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which can be expensive.
The driving conditions in your new state may also affect your rates. Full coverage car insurance in Pennsylvania costs an average of $51 per month less than coverage in New Jersey. Both states have identical minimum coverage requirements and are no-fault states. But New Jersey is more densely populated and has more traffic.
You should also consider the cost to change your registration and license with your new state DMV.
Frequently asked questions
What state has the cheapest car insurance?
Vermont has the cheapest full coverage car insurance rates in the country, at $128 per month, on average. That's $80 per month less than the national average.
What state has the highest car insurance rates?
Nevada is the most expensive state for car insurance. Full coverage insurance in Nevada costs an average of $335 per month, which is $127 per month higher than the national average.
How much is car insurance in California vs. Arizona?How much are car insurance rates in California vs. Florida?
California has cheaper average car insurance rates than Florida, at $221 per month for full coverage. In comparison, full coverage in Florida costs around $311 per month. In fact, Florida has the third-most expensive full coverage rates in the country.
How much does car insurance cost in New York vs. New Jersey?
Drivers in New York typically pay less for car insurance than those living in New Jersey. The average cost of full coverage insurance in New York state is $226 per month. In New Jersey, full coverage insurance costs $249 per month, on average. That makes New Jersey the ninth-most expensive state for car insurance in the country.
Methodology
To find average car insurance prices by state, ValuePenguin collected quotes from 55 top insurance companies across all available ZIP codes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Quotes are for a 30-year-old man with a 2018 Honda Civic EX and good credit.
Full coverage policies include coverage limits above minimum requirements.
- Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist BI: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
- Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible
- Personal injury protection: Minimum, when required by state
ValuePenguin's analysis used insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services. These rates were publicly sourced from insurer filings and should be used for comparative purposes only.
Senior Writer
Lindsay Bishop is a Senior Writer at ValuePenguin, where she educates readers about home, auto, renters, flood and motorcycle insurance.
Lindsay began her career in the insurance and financial industry in 2010. She was a licensed auto, home, life and health insurance agent and held Series 6 and 63 financial licenses.
After a hiatus from the financial sector, Lindsay returned to the industry as a content writer for ValuePenguin in 2021. She enjoys having the opportunity to help readers make smart decisions about their insurance so they can be prepared for anything life throws their way.
When Lindsay isn't writing about insurance, you can find her spending time with family, enjoying the outdoors on Sunday long runs or riding her Peloton.
How insurance helped Lindsay
As a homeowner for 15 years located in South Carolina, Lindsay has plenty of experience navigating the coastal insurance market and managing the claims process. That includes successfully negotiating a full roof replacement claim.
Expertise
- Home insurance
- Car insurance
- Flood insurance
- Renters insurance
- Motorcycle insurance
Referenced by
- CNBC
- Yahoo Finance
- Miami Herald
Education
- BS/BA Economics, University of Nevada Las Vegas
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
