Auto insurance is mandatory in nearly every state, but what you pay varies enormously. The national average is $1,900 per year, but drivers in the cheapest states pay 25-35% less.
| # | State | Auto | vs Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | $1,359 | -46% |
| 2 | Idaho | $1,425 | -43% |
| 3 | Maine | $1,517 | -39% |
| 4 | Ohio | $1,530 | -39% |
| 5 | Wyoming | $1,581 | -37% |
| 6 | Indiana | $1,639 | -34% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $1,646 | -34% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $1,646 | -34% |
| 9 | Hawaii | $1,652 | -34% |
| 10 | North Dakota | $1,655 | -34% |
| 11 | Washington | $1,674 | -33% |
| 12 | Iowa | $1,683 | -33% |
| 13 | North Carolina | $1,702 | -32% |
| 14 | Wisconsin | $1,739 | -30% |
| 15 | Tennessee | $1,807 | -28% |
| 16 | South Carolina | $1,886 | -24% |
| 17 | West Virginia | $1,904 | -24% |
| 18 | South Dakota | $1,939 | -22% |
| 19 | Utah | $1,942 | -22% |
| 20 | Oregon | $1,956 | -22% |
| 21 | Virginia | $1,990 | -20% |
| 22 | Nebraska | $1,994 | -20% |
| 23 | Minnesota | $2,044 | -18% |
| 24 | Mississippi | $2,061 | -17% |
| 25 | Connecticut | $2,187 | -12% |
| 26 | Arkansas | $2,193 | -12% |
| 27 | Alabama | $2,207 | -12% |
| 28 | New Mexico | $2,216 | -11% |
| 29 | Montana | $2,228 | -11% |
| 30 | Illinois | $2,316 | -7% |
| 31 | Alaska | $2,330 | -7% |
| 32 | Missouri | $2,437 | -2% |
| 33 | Maryland | $2,496 | 0% |
| 34 | Arizona | $2,515 | +1% |
| 35 | Kentucky | $2,558 | +2% |
| 36 | Oklahoma | $2,560 | +3% |
| 37 | New Jersey | $2,563 | +3% |
| 38 | Georgia | $2,610 | +5% |
| 39 | Texas | $2,627 | +5% |
| 40 | Kansas | $2,630 | +5% |
| 41 | Delaware | $2,636 | +6% |
| 42 | Rhode Island | $2,683 | +7% |
| 43 | California | $2,692 | +8% |
| 44 | Pennsylvania | $2,791 | +12% |
| 45 | Colorado | $3,200 | +28% |
| 46 | Michigan | $3,375 | +35% |
| 47 | Nevada | $3,564 | +43% |
| 48 | Louisiana | $3,626 | +45% |
| 49 | New York | $3,848 | +54% |
| 50 | Florida | $3,950 | +58% |
The top-ranked state, Vermont, has an average auto insurance cost of $1,359/yr, while the bottom of this list sees costs of $3,950/yr — a difference of $2,591/yr.
The average across all states in this ranking is $2,260/yr. Use our state pages for detailed analysis and our calculators to estimate your personal premium based on your specific situation.
The most affordable states for auto insurance tend to be more rural, with lower traffic density and fewer accidents per capita. Many of these states also use a traditional tort (at-fault) system rather than no-fault, which keeps base premiums lower by allowing insurers to recover costs from at-fault parties. Lower rates of uninsured motorists, less insurance fraud, and fewer costly litigation outcomes all contribute to keeping auto premiums below the national average in these states.
The spread between the top and bottom of this ranking — $2,591/yr — illustrates how much geography matters when it comes to insurance costs. For homebuyers, renters, and investors, this difference can compound significantly over time. A family saving even $1,000 per year on insurance by choosing a more affordable state would save $30,000 over a 30-year mortgage. These rankings are designed to help you weigh insurance costs alongside other financial factors when making major life decisions.
Keep in mind that individual premiums can vary widely from state averages based on your specific property, coverage levels, claims history, credit score, and the insurer you choose. The most effective way to lower your costs regardless of where you live is to compare quotes from at least three carriers, bundle policies where possible, and ask about every available discount. Visit our individual state pages for detailed breakdowns and use our calculators to estimate your personalized premium.
These rankings are based on average annual insurance premiums compiled from multiple industry data sources, including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), state insurance department filings, and rate comparison data from leading insurance aggregators. Premiums reflect standard coverage levels for typical policyholders and are updated annually to reflect the most current market conditions. State averages represent the mean cost across all major carriers operating in each state and may not reflect individual quotes, which vary based on property characteristics, coverage limits, deductibles, and personal risk factors.
Data sources: National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Insurance Information Institute (III), state department of insurance rate filings, Insurance.com, Bankrate, Insurify, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR), FEMA National Risk Index. Figures represent averages for standard coverage levels and are intended for informational and comparison purposes only. Last updated: 2026.
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