Many factors affect the cost of car insurance in the U.S., including your location. Car insurance companies consider your state, city and ZIP code when calculating your personalized premium. Car insurance rates tend to be the most expensive in big cities where there are higher accident rates, more claims filed and other risks, like vehicle thefts.
In this article, we’ll look at the most expensive cities for car insurance in every U.S. state and share which insurance companies offer the most affordable rates in the most expensive cities.
- Car insurance rates in big cities tend to be higher than in small towns.
- Premiums can vary significantly between ZIP codes in the same city.
- Comparing car insurance quotes will help you find the cheapest policy for your location and situation.
Highest car insurance rates by city
While your state significantly impacts your car insurance premium, your city does as well. The city of North Miami Beach in Florida has the most expensive car insurance at $297 per month. Tarzana, California comes in second at $286 per month, followed by Marksville, Louisiana at $285 per month.
Below, you can see the most expensive cities for car insurance in every U.S. state, including the average annual cost and average monthly cost in each city.
| State | City | Average annual cost | Average monthly cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Anchorage | $1,950 | $162 |
| Alabama | Tarrant | $2,084 | $174 |
| Arkansas | Snow Lake | $2,205 | $184 |
| Arizona | Phoenix | $2,251 | $188 |
| California | Tarzana | $3,430 | $286 |
| Colorado | Cope | $2,729 | $227 |
| Connecticut | Bridgeport | $2,334 | $195 |
| Washington, D.C. | Washington Navy Yard | $2,157 | $180 |
| Delaware | Delaware City | $2,361 | $197 |
| Florida | North Miami Beach | $3,570 | $297 |
| Georgia | Clarkston | $2,904 | $242 |
| Hawaii | Waikoloa Village | $1,630 | $136 |
| Iowa | Bedford | $2,053 | $171 |
| Idaho | Porthill | $1,549 | $129 |
| Illinois | Calumet City | $2,108 | $176 |
| Indiana | Gary | $2,110 | $176 |
| Kansas | Almena | $2,203 | $184 |
| Kentucky | Freeburn | $2,808 | $234 |
| Louisiana | Marksville | $3,420 | $285 |
| Massachusetts | Roxbury | $2,993 | $249 |
| Maryland | Gwynn Oak | $2,447 | $204 |
| Maine | Cutler | $1,261 | $105 |
| Michigan | Hamtramck | $3,370 | $281 |
| Minnesota | Brooklyn Center | $2,232 | $186 |
| Missouri | Pagedale | $2,456 | $205 |
| Mississippi | Washington | $2,309 | $192 |
| Montana | Lodge Grass | $2,471 | $206 |
| North Carolina | Newell | $2,136 | $178 |
| North Dakota | Selfridge | $1,860 | $155 |
| Nebraska | Hayes Center | $2,273 | $189 |
| New Hampshire | Manchester | $1,436 | $120 |
| New Jersey | Newark | $2,641 | $220 |
| New Mexico | Kirtland Air Force Base | $2,332 | $194 |
| Nevada | Sunrise Manor | $2,767 | $231 |
| New York | Woodhaven | $3,030 | $252 |
| Ohio | Cleveland | $1,643 | $137 |
| Oklahoma | Warr Acres | $2,478 | $206 |
| Oregon | Gresham | $2,077 | $173 |
| Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | $2,782 | $232 |
| Rhode Island | Johnston | $2,644 | $220 |
| South Carolina | Miley | $2,389 | $199 |
| South Dakota | Oglala | $2,871 | $239 |
| Tennessee | Memphis | $2,161 | $180 |
| Texas | Balch Springs | $2,384 | $199 |
| Utah | West Valley City | $2,179 | $182 |
| Virginia | Springfield | $1,684 | $140 |
| Vermont | Taftsville | $1,367 | $114 |
| Washington | Tukwila | $2,085 | $174 |
| Wisconsin | Webster | $2,033 | $169 |
| West Virginia | Genoa | $2,275 | $190 |
| Wyoming | Teton Village | $1,825 | $152 |
Most expensive ZIP codes for car insurance in the top 10 U.S. cities
Car insurance premiums tend to be the most expensive in big cities. The most expensive ZIP codes are 90010 in Los Angeles, ZIP code 11235 in New York and 19125 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
However, car insurance rates can also vary depending on your ZIP code within the city. Here are the most expensive ZIP codes for car insurance in the top 10 largest cities.
| State | City | ZIP code | Average annual cost | Average monthly cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | New York | 11235 | $3,157 | $263 |
| California | Los Angeles | 90010 | $3,471 | $289 |
| Illinois | Chicago | 60637 | $2,218 | $185 |
| Texas | Houston | 77076 | $2,506 | $209 |
| Arizona | Phoenix | 85015 | $2,500 | $208 |
| Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | 19125 | $3,012 | $251 |
| Texas | San Antonio | 78202 | $2,355 | $196 |
| California | San Diego | 92135 | $2,941 | $245 |
| Texas | Dallas | 75215 | $2,545 | $212 |
| Texas | Austin | 78617 | $2,057 | $171 |
Which insurance companies offer affordable rates in the most expensive cities?
When shopping for car insurance, it’s essential to compare rates from several companies to find the most affordable policy for your location and unique driver profile. This is especially true if you live in one of the more expensive cities for auto insurance.
In New York, Progressive and NYC Insurance offer the cheapest car insurance rates. In Los Angeles, Geico and CSAA Insurance (AAA) offer the cheapest rates. In Chicago, Progressive and Auto Club Group – ACG (AAA) offer the cheapest policies.
In the table below, you can see the cheapest car insurance companies in the most expensive U.S. cities, as well as the average annual and monthly premium for each insurer.
| State | City | Company | Average annual cost | Average monthly cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | New York | Progressive | $1,640 | $137 |
| New York | New York | NYCM Insurance | $2,358 | $196 |
| New York | New York | Geico | $2,401 | $200 |
| New York | New York | State Farm | $2,537 | $211 |
| New York | New York | The Hanover | $3,120 | $260 |
| New York | New York | Allstate | $3,355 | $280 |
| New York | New York | Erie Insurance | $3,536 | $295 |
| New York | New York | USAA | $2,680 | $223 |
| California | Los Angeles | Geico | $2,805 | $234 |
| California | Los Angeles | CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $2,845 | $237 |
| California | Los Angeles | Mercury Insurance | $2,941 | $245 |
| California | Los Angeles | Progressive | $3,062 | $255 |
| California | Los Angeles | Kemper | $3,411 | $284 |
| California | Los Angeles | Travelers | $3,471 | $289 |
| California | Los Angeles | Allstate | $3,516 | $293 |
| California | Los Angeles | Nationwide | $3,544 | $295 |
| California | Los Angeles | Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $3,558 | $296 |
| California | Los Angeles | State Farm | $3,688 | $307 |
| California | Los Angeles | Farmers | $3,748 | $312 |
| California | Los Angeles | USAA | $2,238 | $187 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Progressive | $1,366 | $114 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Auto Club Group – ACG (AAA) | $1,402 | $117 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Travelers | $1,415 | $118 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Geico | $1,608 | $134 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Auto-Owners | $1,811 | $151 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Erie Insurance | $2,083 | $174 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Country Financial | $2,134 | $178 |
| Illinois | Chicago | State Farm | $2,254 | $188 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Allstate | $3,419 | $285 |
| Illinois | Chicago | USAA | $2,066 | $172 |
| Texas | Houston | Texas Farm Bureau | $1,530 | $127 |
| Texas | Houston | Nationwide | $1,640 | $137 |
| Texas | Houston | Geico | $1,940 | $162 |
| Texas | Houston | Redpoint Insurance | $1,964 | $164 |
| Texas | Houston | State Farm | $2,278 | $190 |
| Texas | Houston | Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $2,426 | $202 |
| Texas | Houston | Allstate | $3,352 | $279 |
| Texas | Houston | Progressive | $3,655 | $305 |
| Texas | Houston | USAA | $2,102 | $175 |
| Arizona | Phoenix | Geico | $1,582 | $132 |
| Arizona | Phoenix | Travelers | $1,785 | $149 |
| Arizona | Phoenix | Auto-Owners | $2,140 | $178 |
| Arizona | Phoenix | Nationwide | $2,208 | $184 |
| Arizona | Phoenix | Progressive | $2,427 | $202 |
| Arizona | Phoenix | Allstate | $2,769 | $231 |
| Arizona | Phoenix | State Farm | $2,831 | $236 |
| Arizona | Phoenix | Farmers | $2,972 | $248 |
| Arizona | Phoenix | USAA | $1,741 | $145 |
| Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | Travelers | $1,585 | $132 |
| Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | Nationwide | $2,442 | $203 |
| Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | Donegal Insurance | $2,758 | $230 |
| Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | Geico | $2,977 | $248 |
| Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | Erie Insurance | $3,150 | $263 |
| Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | Westfield Insurance | $3,374 | $281 |
| Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | State Farm | $3,418 | $285 |
| Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | Allstate | $3,428 | $286 |
| Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | Progressive | $3,449 | $287 |
| Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | USAA | $2,791 | $233 |
| Texas | San Antonio | Texas Farm Bureau | $1,384 | $115 |
| Texas | San Antonio | Nationwide | $1,522 | $127 |
| Texas | San Antonio | Redpoint Insurance | $1,610 | $134 |
| Texas | San Antonio | Geico | $1,774 | $148 |
| Texas | San Antonio | Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $2,056 | $171 |
| Texas | San Antonio | State Farm | $2,074 | $173 |
| Texas | San Antonio | Allstate | $3,026 | $252 |
| Texas | San Antonio | Progressive | $3,189 | $266 |
| Texas | San Antonio | Farmers | $4,130 | $344 |
| Texas | San Antonio | USAA | $1,932 | $161 |
| California | San Diego | Geico | $1,706 | $142 |
| California | San Diego | Mercury Insurance | $1,888 | $157 |
| California | San Diego | Progressive | $1,986 | $165 |
| California | San Diego | Kemper | $2,210 | $184 |
| California | San Diego | Travelers | $2,251 | $188 |
| California | San Diego | Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $2,394 | $200 |
| California | San Diego | Allstate | $2,496 | $208 |
| California | San Diego | State Farm | $2,616 | $218 |
| California | San Diego | Nationwide | $2,744 | $229 |
| California | San Diego | CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $2,845 | $237 |
| California | San Diego | Farmers | $2,943 | $245 |
| California | San Diego | USAA | $1,806 | $150 |
| Texas | Dallas | Texas Farm Bureau | $1,644 | $137 |
| Texas | Dallas | Nationwide | $1,690 | $141 |
| Texas | Dallas | Geico | $1,863 | $155 |
| Texas | Dallas | Redpoint Insurance | $1,948 | $162 |
| Texas | Dallas | State Farm | $2,290 | $191 |
| Texas | Dallas | Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $2,397 | $200 |
| Texas | Dallas | Progressive | $3,496 | $291 |
| Texas | Dallas | Allstate | $3,596 | $300 |
| Texas | Dallas | USAA | $2,014 | $168 |
| Texas | Austin | Nationwide | $1,406 | $117 |
| Texas | Austin | Texas Farm Bureau | $1,418 | $118 |
| Texas | Austin | Redpoint Insurance | $1,511 | $126 |
| Texas | Austin | Geico | $1,615 | $135 |
| Texas | Austin | State Farm | $1,922 | $160 |
| Texas | Austin | Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $1,980 | $165 |
| Texas | Austin | Progressive | $2,836 | $236 |
| Texas | Austin | USAA | $1,827 | $152 |
| Texas | Austin | Allstate | $2,899 | $242 |
Can moving to a different neighborhood within the same city change my car insurance rate?
Moving to a different neighborhood within the same city can cause your car insurance premium to change. For example, if you move to a neighborhood with a lower crime rate than your old neighborhood, it’s possible that your rate could decrease. Or, if you move to a new neighborhood where more insurance claims are filed, your premium could increase.
The only way to know how much you will pay for car insurance in a new neighborhood is to get personalized rate quotes for your new address. If your rate is going to increase, consider getting new quotes from a different carrier to see if you can find cheaper coverage.
What factors other than location influence car insurance rates?
The cost of car insurance is different for every driver. In addition to your location, some of the biggest factors that can impact rates include:
- Age: Teens and young drivers typically pay the highest rates for car insurance. For most drivers, premiums decrease steadily over time.
- Gender: Because female drivers have fewer accidents than male drivers, women usually pay slightly less for car insurance than men.
- Credit score: In many states, car insurance companies use a credit-based insurance score to determine the cost of your policy.
- Driving record: Drivers with a history of accidents, speeding tickets, and other violations usually pay higher rates for car insurance than people with a clean record.
- Vehicle type: Some vehicles are more expensive to insure than others. For example, insuring a brand new vehicle usually costs more than insuring a used car.
- Coverage types and limits: The type of car insurance coverage and coverage limits will impact your rate. Adding optional endorsements will also raise your premium.
- Deductible: For policies that require a deductible, like collision insurance, choosing a higher deductible will result in a lower premium, and vice versa.
- Insurance company: Every insurance company charges different rates, even for the same types and amounts of coverage.
What makes car insurance expensive in certain cities?
There are multiple reasons why car insurance premiums can be more expensive in certain cities.
“Insurers are focused on assessing risk when determining rates, and every city has its own unique set of risks as it relates to crime rates, frequency of accidents, population density, weather, road conditions, and average claims history — all factors that can affect risk level and ultimately, insurance premiums,” says Justin Yoshizawa, director of product management state at Mercury Insurance.
“For example, if a policyholder lives in a city that has a higher frequency of accidents, premiums will be higher because the possibility of that policyholder filing a claim is greater,” adds Yoshizawa.
Other factors that can affect insurance rates and vary by location include the cost and frequency of litigation, medical care, and the prevalence of auto insurance fraud.
The cost of auto repairs can also impact rates in a specific city. In areas with higher repair costs, insurance companies might set higher premiums to offset their claim costs.
Check out the 10 most important factors that affect car insurance rates
Strategic ways to reduce my car insurance premiums
There are several ways to reduce your car insurance premiums, no matter where you live. Here are several strategies that can help you get cheaper insurance:
- Take advantage of discounts: Many car insurance companies offer discounts to help drivers save money on their auto insurance policy.
- Shop around: Car insurance companies charge different rates, even for the same coverage. Shop around and get quotes from a few carriers to find the cheapest premium – especially if circumstances have changed such as adding a teen driver, getting a speeding ticket or getting a different vehicle.
- Improve your credit score: In most states, your credit history is one of the factors that can affect your premium. Improving your credit score can help you lock in a lower annual rate.
- Bundle two policies: Most insurers provide discounts to drivers who bundle their car insurance with another policy, like home insurance or renters insurance.
- Choose higher deductibles: For policies that require a deductible, like collision and comprehensive insurance, selecting a higher deductible will result in a lower premium. However, remember that you should have the deductible amount in savings if you choose a higher deductible in case you need to file a claim.
The bottom line: Most expensive car insurance rates by city
Some cities have higher car insurance rates than others. Additionally, car insurance premiums can vary even more depending on your ZIP code. Location-specific factors like the number of claims filed, the number of accidents reported, and vehicle theft rates can all affect the cost of auto insurance in a specific place.
Before you purchase a car insurance policy, make sure to get quotes from at least three insurance companies and compare them to see which one can offer you the best deal for your location, driver profile and coverage needs.
You can also reduce your car insurance premium by taking advantage of discounts, bundling your policies, improving your credit and selecting higher deductibles.
Resources & Methodology
Source
Insurance Information Institute. “What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?” Accessed August 2024.
Methodology
To study the most expensive U.S. cities for car insurance, we analyzed car insurance quotes in 51 states, nearly 30,000 cities, and more than 34,000 ZIP codes. We received quotes for 40-year-old male and female drivers with a good insurance score and no violations, driving 10,000 miles per year. The vehicle we used for our sample quotes was a 2023 Honda Accord LX. Quotes are for a full coverage policy with liability coverage limits of 100/300/100 and a $500 deductible for collision and comprehensive insurance.
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Laura Longero
Executive Editor
Laura Longero is an insurance expert and Executive Editor at CarInsurance.com, where she specializes in helping consumers navigate the complexities of the financial and insurance industries. She has 15 years of experience educating people about finance and car insurance. Prior to joining CarInsurance.com, she worked as a reporter and editor at the USA Today Network. Her expertise provides readers with practical guidance, helping them make informed choices about their financial and insurance needs.
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John McCormick
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John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.
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Leslie Kasperowicz
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Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.
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Nupur Gambhir
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Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.