Car insurance companies use multiple factors to determine your rate, from the type of car you drive to your driving record. One of the most significant factors is your location. If you live in an area where there is a higher risk that you will file a claim, you are likely to pay more for your policy. Based on average full coverage car insurance rates, the most expensive cities for auto insurance are Brooklyn and Bronx in New York and Hamramck and Detroit in Michigan. Some of the cheapest cities are Rowe, Bernardston and Deerfield, Massachusetts.

Insurance Auto
Bankrate Insights
  • Brooklyn, New York, is the most expensive city in the U.S. for full coverage car insurance according to our research.
  • Many of the cheapest cities for full coverage are in Massachusetts, including Rowe, Berndardston, Deerfield, Cheshire and Cummington.
  • North Miami is Florida’s most expensive city for auto insurance, at an average full coverage rate of $4,982 per year. This rate is 93 percent higher than Santa Rosa Beach — Florida’s cheapest city for full coverage — with an average annual rate of $2,575.
  • 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.

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How does your city influence your car insurance rates?

Although the average cost of car insurance is $2,314 per year for a full coverage policy, car insurance rates vary by city. Each state’s rates are 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 `

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
    Alabama Fairfield $2,368 Fairhope $1,918
    Alaska Anchorage $2,475 Port Alexander $1,787
    Arizona Phoenix $3,005 Lake Havasu City $1,895
    Arkansas West Helena $2,412 Sulphur Springs $1,874
    California Beverly Hills $4,085 Weed $1,957
    Colorado Fort Lyon $3,380 Grand Junction $2,113
    Connecticut Hartford $3,089 Groton $1,908
    Delaware New Castle $2,842 Ocean View $1,953
    Florida North Miami Beach $4,982 Santa Rosa Beach $2,575
    Georgia Lithonia $3,516 Valdosta $2,159
    Hawaii Wake Island $1,655 Lihue $1,444
    Idaho Kooskia $1,511 Boise $1,205
    Illinois Dolton $2,915 Bloomington $1,571
    Indiana Gary $2,585 Lafayette $1,479
    Iowa Carter Lake $2,121 Coralville $1,501
    Kansas Coolidge $3,105 New Century $2,202
    Kentucky Flatgap $3,757 Fort Thomas $2,007
    Louisiana Arabi $4,800 Sarepta $2,804
    Maine Bernard $1,635 Old Orchard Beach $1,416
    Maryland Gwynn Oak $3,973 Hagerstown $1,939
    Massachusetts Roxbury $3,064 Rowe $1,176
    Michigan Hamtramck $5,883 Zeeland $2,112
    Minnesota Pennington $2,427 Mankato $1,906
    Mississippi Hermanville $2,499 Starkville $1,859
    Missouri Beaufort $3,069 Centertown $2,154
    Montana Wyola $2,704 Missoula $1,953
    Nebraska Hayes Center $2,416 Lincoln $1,888
    Nevada Las Vegas $3,539 Winnemucca $1,936
    New Hampshire Manchester $1,997 Swanzey $1,563
    New Jersey Irvington $3,175 Brielle $1,753
    New Mexico Albuquerque $2,496 Alamogordo $1,815
    New York Brooklyn $6,236 Penfield $1,669
    North Carolina Lake Junaluska $1,465 Newell $2,232
    North Dakota Fargo $1,445 Selfridge $1,934
    Ohio Cleveland $1,937 Fremont $1,281
    Oklahoma Bartlesville $2,291 Spencer $2,785
    Oregon Gresham $2,244 Central Point $1,600
    Pennsylvania Philadelphia $4,260 Walnut Bottom $1,842
    Rhode Island Middletown $2,146 Providence $3,692
    South Carolina Crocketville $2,299 Newry $1,586
    South Dakota Allen $2,789 Brookings $1,763
    Tennessee Allardt $2,445 Jonesborough $1,576
    Texas Hutchins $3,014 Wellborn $2,181
    Utah Magna $2,230 Hurricane $1,808
    Vermont Belvidere Center $1,434 Essex Junction $1,279
    Virginia Big Rock $2,119 Blacksburg $1,591
    Washington Spanaway $1,816 Port Townsend $1,294
    West Virginia Kermit $2,549 Falling Waters $1,705
    Wisconsin Milwaukee $2,145 Kimberly $1,368
    Wyoming Albin $1,761 Rawlins $1,536

How to choose the best car insurance carrier in your city

When you are shopping for insurance, comparing car insurance rates 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: Organizations 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 property/casualty insurers. Car insurance providers with high financial strength ratings 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 much your car insurance will be. Some companies may charge you more for a speeding ticket than others, for example. Getting quotes from several companies allows you to compare rates while also reviewing a company’s coverage options, discount opportunities and policy features.

Lowering your car insurance premium

Finding a cheap car insurance company is one of the best ways to secure a lower 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 often the biggest savings opportunities that insurance companies offer. You might qualify if you insure both your home and car with the same company. If you don’t own a home, you can typically bundle car insurance with renters or condo insurance.
  • Increase your deductible: If you have full coverage, you have comprehensive and collision deductibles 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 out of pocket should 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.
  • Improve your credit: Many states use your credit history 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

    • Different cities come with different rating factors. The frequency of claims, the level of health care costs, the likelihood of weather damage and the cost of vehicle repairs all impact car insurance rates. Insurance is designed to cover the financial burden of an accident, so anything that could increase potential claim costs can also increase auto insurance prices.
    • In addition to the average rate data featured on this page, you can compare rates for different ZIP codes by getting personalized quotes from the carriers you’re considering. Most companies allow you to generate a quote by inputting personal information, including your ZIP code, on their websites. If you’re considering a move and wondering how it will affect your coverage costs, this can be a helpful first step.
    • The best car insurance company for you will vary based on your rating factors and what you are looking for in an insurance carrier. Most insurance experts recommend narrowing down the coverage types, discounts and features you are looking for and comparing quotes from several companies to find the cheapest option for your circumstances.
    • The average cost for full coverage in the U.S. is $2,314 a year. Minimum coverage costs an average of $644 per year. Remember that these are only average rates. Insurance costs vary widely between states, cities and even ZIP codes. Your individual rating factors, like your driving history, vehicle type and, in most states, credit history, age and gender, will also impact your rate.
    • Based on Bankrate’s analysis, Brooklyn, New York is the most expensive city for full coverage auto insurance, with drivers paying an average of $6,236 per year. This high rate is due to New York’s high minimum coverage requirements, dense traffic and high cost of living, among other factors.

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze April 2024 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 single, 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 2022 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.