Car insurance rates by city in 2022
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Car insurance companies use more than a dozen different rating factors to determine your premium, and for many people, the city in which you live could be one of the most significant. Bankrate analyzed premiums across the country and found that Brooklyn, New York, is the most expensive city in the U.S. for car insurance, with an average annual rate of $5,171 for a full coverage policy. Conversely, Old Orchard Beach, Maine, has the cheapest annual full coverage premium, averaging $824 per year.
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Compare auto insurance rates
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like:
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
As a benchmark, the average cost of a full coverage policy countrywide is $1,771 per year. Using proprietary data provided by Quadrant Information Services, our insurance editorial team compiled these rates to give you a view of the most expensive and least expensive cities to insure a vehicle.
- Brooklyn, New York, is the most expensive city in the U.S. for full coverage car insurance according to our research.
- Drivers in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, pay the lowest full coverage rates on average. These rates reflect a difference of an astounding 528 percent from the average annual full coverage premium in Brooklyn.
- North Miami is Florida’s most expensive city for auto insurance, at an average full coverage rate of $3,848 per year. This rate is 97 percent higher than La Crosse — Florida’s cheapest city for full coverage — with an average annual rate of $1,949.
- The most expensive cities for car insurance in California and Texas (the two most populated states in the country) are Beverly Hills and Hutchins, respectively.
Why your city matters
Although the average cost of car insurance is $1,771 per year for a full coverage policy, each area of the country has unique features which can impact car insurance rates. Each state’s rates vary based on state-specific laws, but areas within each state also have location-specific factors that influence car insurance rates. Major cities, for example, tend to have more traffic, which can lead to more accidents. Additionally, because the cost of living in cities tends to be higher than in rural areas, the costs associated with repairing damaged vehicles may be higher, driving up auto insurance rates. In most states, even your ZIP code can affect how much you pay for auto insurance coverage.
While your location impacts average annual premiums, it is not the only rating factor. Your driving history, the type of car you drive, the number of drivers and vehicles on your policy and what coverage types you choose will all impact your premium. Additionally, your age and gender may play a role in determining your premium, although not all areas of the country allow these rating factors.
Car insurance rates by city
When you get car insurance quotes, knowing the average prices in your state’s most and least expensive cities might help you understand if the quotes you receive are competitive. Using proprietary rate data provided by Quadrant Information Services, the table below shows the average annual cost for full coverage car insurance, including collision and comprehensive coverage. Keep in mind, though, that your rates will vary based on your individual rating factors.
| State | Most expensive city | Most expensive city’s average annual full coverage premium | Cheapest city | Cheapest city’s average annual full coverage premium | % difference between highest and lowest city |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Fairfield | $1,959 | Hartselle | $1,620 | 21% |
| Alaska | Anchorage | $1,917 | Port Alexander | $1,373 | 40% |
| Arizona | Phoenix | $2,064 | Littlefield | $1,301 | 59% |
| Arkansas | West Helena | $2,063 | Lowell | $1,632 | 26% |
| California | Beverly Hills | $3,364 | Weed | $1,616 | 108% |
| Colorado | Fort Lyon | $2,366 | Grand Junction | $1,575 | 50% |
| Connecticut | Hartford | $2,122 | Mystic | $1,311 | 62% |
| Delaware | Yorklyn | $2,364 | Ocean View | $1,574 | 50% |
| Florida | North Miami Beach | $3,848 | La Crosse | $1,949 | 97% |
| Georgia | Ellenwood | $2,420 | Valdosta | $1,651 | 47% |
| Hawaii | Hilo | $1,283 | Kapaa | $1,053 | 22% |
| Idaho | Bonners Ferry | $1,172 | Boise | $977 | 20% |
| Illinois | Dolton | $2,119 | Normal | $1,134 | 87% |
| Indiana | Gary | $1,928 | Decatur | $1,103 | 75% |
| Iowa | Carter Lake | $1,566 | Ames | $1,094 | 43% |
| Kansas | Coolidge | $2,286 | Gardner | $1,598 | 43% |
| Kentucky | Goose Rock | $2,955 | Fort Thomas | $1,514 | 95% |
| Louisiana | Arabi | $3,744 | Plain Dealing | $2,172 | 72% |
| Maine | Milbridge | $928 | Old Orchard Beach | $824 | 13% |
| Maryland | Gwynn Oak | $3,032 | Hagerstown | $1,435 | 111% |
| Massachusetts | Roxbury | $2,374 | Rowe | $906 | 162% |
| Michigan | Hamtramck | $4,511 | Saint Joseph | $1,708 | 164% |
| Minnesota | Almelund | $1,841 | Mankato | $1,470 | 25% |
| Mississippi | Hermanville | $2,016 | Starkville | $1,502 | 34% |
| Missouri | Saint Louis | $2,205 | Jefferson City | $1,578 | 40% |
| Montana | Wyola | $2,046 | Missoula | $1,537 | 33% |
| Nebraska | Hayes Center | $1,750 | Lincoln | $1,363 | 28% |
| Nevada | Las Vegas | $2,883 | Winnemucca | $1,551 | 86% |
| New Hampshire | Manchester | $1,409 | Swanzey | $1,075 | 31% |
| New Jersey | Irvington | $2,686 | Sea Girt | $1,490 | 80% |
| New Mexico | Albuquerque | $1,621 | Alamogordo | $1,186 | 37% |
| New York | Brooklyn | $5,171 | Fairport | $1,337 | 287% |
| North Carolina | Newell | $1,816 | Lake Junaluska | $1,194 | 52% |
| North Dakota | Fort Yates | $1,355 | West Fargo | $1,046 | 30% |
| Ohio | Cleveland | $1,512 | Fremont | $1,000 | 51% |
| Oklahoma | Tulsa | $2,069 | Dewey | $1,671 | 24% |
| Oregon | Gresham | $1,637 | Central Point | $1,164 | 41% |
| Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | $3,300 | Walnut Bottom | $1,394 | 137% |
| Rhode Island | Providence | $2,382 | Middletown | $1,385 | 72% |
| South Carolina | Crocketville | $1,800 | Newry | $1,253 | 44% |
| South Dakota | Allen | $2,003 | Brookings | $1,339 | 50% |
| Tennessee | Allardt | $1,760 | Piney Flats | $1,169 | 51% |
| Texas | Hutchins | $2,118 | Miles | $1,558 | 36% |
| Utah | Magna | $1,575 | Cedar City | $1,288 | 22% |
| Vermont | Corinth | $1,035 | Essex Junction | $927 | 12% |
| Virginia | Hurley | $1,518 | Harrisonburg | $1,122 | 35% |
| Washington | Spanaway | $1,531 | Port Townsend | $1,078 | 42% |
| West Virginia | Kermit | $1,994 | Falling Waters | $1,347 | 48% |
| Wisconsin | Milwaukee | $1,611 | Kaukauna | $1,012 | 59% |
| Wyoming | Aladdin | $1,594 | Wyarno | $1,421 | 12% |
| Washington, D.C. | D.C. | $1,948 | D.C. | $1,948 | 0% |
How to compare providers
When you are shopping for insurance, comparing providers is often one of the best ways to find the best car insurance company. Here are some things to keep in mind when you compare providers:
- Compare discounts: Not every provider offers the same car insurance discounts, nor does every provider offer the same savings with each discount. For example, you may save a lot more by signing up for paperless statements with one provider than you will with another.
- Compare coverage options: Everyone has different coverage needs, and not every insurance company will offer the options you may need. If you have custom sound equipment in your car, for example, some carriers have an endorsement to provide coverage for it. Or perhaps you often drive with a dog in the car. Some companies offer medical coverage for your pets if you get into an accident while they are in the car.
- Compare third-party ratings: Agencies like J.D. Power and AM Best can help you understand important features of auto insurance carriers. J.D. Power publishes various reports regarding customer satisfaction. AM Best assesses the financial strength of companies, including insurance companies. Car insurance providers with high financial strength scores have historically been able to pay out claims during catastrophic events when many losses are filed.
- Compare quotes: Auto insurance companies each use a proprietary rating algorithm to determine how to price your policy. Some companies may charge you more for a speeding ticket than others, for example. Getting quotes from several companies allows you to compare the price of each quote and a company’s coverage, discounts, and policy features.
Lowering your car insurance premium
Finding a cheap car insurance company is one of the best ways to save on your premium, but there are other ways you might be able to save on car insurance:
- Bundle your policies: Bundling discounts, also called multi-policy discounts, are some of the biggest savings opportunities that insurance companies offer. Insuring both your home and auto with the same company can result in significant savings. This discount often also applies for insuring your auto policy with the same company as your condo owners or renters insurance policy, if you do not own a home.
- Increase your deductible: If you have full coverage, you have a comprehensive and collision deductible on your policy. If you file a claim for damage to your vehicle, you will pay the appropriate deductible depending on what caused the damage. Increasing your deductibles often lowers your premium, but make sure you look at your entire financial picture before making this change, to ensure that you can afford to pay a higher amount if you need to file a claim.
- Consider the car you drive: Some cars are cheaper to insure than others. If you are in the market for a car or if you need to lower your premium significantly, choosing a car that has low average insurance costs can be a good first step toward keeping your insurance costs low.
- Increase your credit score: Many states use your credit tier as a rating factor. Generally, the lower your insurance-based credit score, the higher your auto insurance costs will be. If you can improve your score, you may see long-term savings regarding your car insurance.
- Move to a new city or ZIP code: This certainly is not the easiest way to lower your insurance costs, but if you are considering moving anyway, choosing your new location with your auto insurance premium in mind could help you avoid surprise costs.
Frequently asked questions
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2022 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2020 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
