How much does homeowners insurance cost? There is no single number — there is a range, and there are reasons. A $200,000 house in Ohio and a $600,000 house in Florida do not pay the same premium, and the difference is not small. The range is roughly $1,500–$3,500 a year for a typical home — and the reasons are the state, the house, and the coverage you choose.
The national average is around $2,000–$2,500 a year for a typical single-family home — roughly $170–$210 a month. The range is wide: a small, newer home in a low-risk state can cost $1,200–$1,800 a year, while a large or older home in a high-risk state can cost $3,500–$6,000 or more. These are rough ranges, not quotes — the quote depends on the house, the state, and the coverage.
| Coverage level | Rough annual range |
|---|---|
| Basic, small newer home | $1,200–$1,800 |
| Typical single-family home | $1,500–$3,500 |
| Large or high-value home | $3,500–$6,000+ |
| High-risk state (Florida, Texas) | $3,000–$6,000+ |
State: Florida and Texas cost the most — hurricanes and hail. The Midwest costs the least. Home age: an old roof, old plumbing, or old wiring costs more — the insurer prices the risk of a claim. Coverage amount: more coverage costs more, and the dwelling limit should match the rebuild cost, not the market price. Deductible: a higher deductible means a lower premium — $1,000 to $2,500 is the usual trade. Claims history: a claim in the last five years raises the price. Credit score: in most states, a lower score means a higher premium.
Raise the deductible — $1,000 to $2,500 is the usual trade, and the premium drops. Bundle home and auto with the same insurer — the discount is usually 10–20%. Discounts for a new roof, a security system, and a smoke detector add up. Shop every year or two — the cheapest insurer changes, and loyalty is rarely rewarded. And do not file small claims: a $500 claim can raise the premium for years, and the math does not work.
The premium buys five things: dwelling coverage (the house itself), other structures (garage, fence), personal property (what is inside), liability (someone hurt on your property), and loss of use (a place to stay while the house is repaired). The dwelling limit should match the rebuild cost — not the market price, which includes the land. What is not covered matters as much — the not covered guide covers the four big exclusions. A roof leak has its own rules — the roof leak coverage guide covers when it depends on the cause.
Roughly $170–$210 a month for a typical single-family home — $2,000–$2,500 a year. A small newer home in a low-risk state can be $100–$150 a month; a large home in a high-risk state can be $300 or more.
Usually the state, the home's age, or a claim in the last five years. Florida and Texas cost the most — hurricanes and hail. An old roof, old plumbing, or a recent claim raises the price too.
Usually yes — a new roof earns a discount, and in some states it is a large one. An old roof costs more to insure, and some insurers will not insure a roof past a certain age at all.
Not by law — but a mortgage lender requires it, and the lender's requirement is effectively mandatory. Without a mortgage, it is optional — but going without means paying for a rebuild out of pocket.
Every year or two. The cheapest insurer changes, and loyalty is rarely rewarded. Get three quotes, compare the same coverage and the same deductible — and document the damage first if you ever file a claim: the insurance claim guide covers documenting first and calling second.