- Average car insurance rates by ZIP code in 2022
- Most expensive ZIP codes for car insurance by state
- Which ZIP codes have the cheapest car insurance?
- Average car insurance rates decline since 2019
- How your location affects your car insurance rate
- Why do car insurance rates vary so much among insurance companies?
- How to save on car insurance regardless of your ZIP code
EXPERT REVIEWED
by Laura Longero
Eager to learn why car insurance rates often increase from year to year? Wonder why you pay more for car insurance than your friend does in another ZIP code?
The premiums charged by your insurance company are based on different criteria, such as your driving history, vehicle year/make/model and your age. The city you live in can also have an impact on what you will pay for car insurance.
What drivers pay across the country based on the town or area they reside in makes for a fascinating study. Read on for facts about car insurance rates related to ZIP code and learn how you can save the most money on a policy.
Average car insurance rates by ZIP code in 2022
Recently, CarInsurance.com collected automobile insurance premium data from every state and major ZIP code in the country. Armed with these numbers, we can now assess how much you can anticipate paying for vehicle insurance, on average, in most cities across the nation.
Our analysis below reports on which cities/ZIP codes have the costliest car insurance rates, on average, as well as the least expensive automobile insurance rates.
The methodology we followed assumes you are a 40-year-old male with a clean driving record (no recent moving violations/tickets) who requires full coverage, drives approximately 12 miles to work, and possesses a good insurance score.
Some of our findings were surprising, while others were somewhat expected. As you might anticipate, living in a more rural ZIP code area can yield cheaper car insurance premiums as opposed to residing in a major metropolitan ZIP code.
Keep reading for more granular detail on which cities charge more versus less for automobile insurance coverage.
2022 Average annual car insurance premiums- State Minimum: $511
- 50/100/50 Liability Only: $637
- Full Coverage 100/300/100: $1,682
Most expensive ZIP codes for car insurance by state
Per our research, here's the listing of cities (based on ZIP codes) where car insurance rates are the highest in 2022.
| State | ZIP Code | City | Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 48210 | Detroit | $5,460 |
| New York | 11212 | New York | $5,349 |
| Louisiana | 70145 | New Orleans | $4,288 |
| Missouri | 63107 | St. Louis | $3,851 |
| Florida | 33603 | Tampa | $3,775 |
| California | 91205 | Glendale | $3,615 |
| Delaware | 19801 | Wilmington | $3,069 |
| Pennsylvania | 19142 | Philadelphia | $3,056 |
| Nevada | 89106 | Las Vegas | $3,019 |
| Massachusetts | 2119 | Roxbury | $3,014 |
Other ZIP codes with pricey car insurance rates include Chicago ($2,919), Baltimore ($2,918) Lookout, Ky. ($2,890), Newark, NJ ($2,807), and Providence, RI ($2,726).
Keep in mind that these are average rates across these ZIP codes within these states.
However, taking a closer look unveils the highest actual premium prices policyholders in many of the ZIP codes may end up paying in 2022 (on a low-to-high range, not averaged out), although they will pay less on average for a policy in these cities:
- Detroit: $16,397
- New York: $13,850
- St. Louis: $10,332
- Chicago: $10,121
- Wilmington: $7,679
Geoff Cudd, a Philadelphia-based consumer advocate and owner of FindTheBestCarPrice.com, says many factors play into the reason why car insurance rates vary so greatly from location to location.
| State | ZIP Code | City | Annual Premium | Lowest Price | Highest Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 48210 | Detroit | $5,460 | $1,666 | $16,397 |
| New York | 11212 | New York | $5,349 | $1,831 | $13,850 |
| Louisiana | 70145 | New Orleans | $4,288 | $2,203 | $5,958 |
| Missouri | 63107 | St. Louis | $3,851 | $893 | $10,332 |
| Florida | 33603 | Tampa | $3,775 | $1,942 | $6,547 |
| California | 91205 | Glendale | $3,615 | $2,235 | $5,744 |
| Delaware | 19801 | Wilmington | $3,069 | $1,466 | $7,679 |
| Pennsylvania | 19142 | Philadelphia | $3,056 | $1,917 | $7,370 |
| Nevada | 89106 | Las Vegas | $3,019 | $1,084 | $6,133 |
| Massachusetts | 2119 | Roxbury | $3,014 | $1,330 | $4,414 |
| Illinois | 60624 | Chicago | $2,919 | $1,326 | $10,121 |
| Maryland | 21216 | Baltimore | $2,918 | $1,479 | $4,810 |
| Kentucky | 41542 | Lookout | $2,890 | $1,922 | $6,108 |
| New Jersey | 7102 | Newark | $2,807 | $1,509 | $5,029 |
| Rhode Island | 2909 | Providence | $2,726 | $1,136 | $4,510 |
| Nebraska | 69337 | Chadron | $2,578 | $874 | $8,922 |
| Texas | 77201 | Houston | $2,482 | $1,382 | $3,907 |
| Connecticut | 6604 | Bridgeport | $2,472 | $1,373 | $7,636 |
| Colorado | 80219 | Denver | $2,452 | $1,270 | $4,430 |
| Wisconsin | 53206 | Milwaukee | $2,452 | $936 | $7,358 |
| South Carolina | 29933 | Miley | $2,398 | $1,393 | $6,282 |
| Arizona | 85009 | Phoenix | $2,325 | $1,364 | $3,971 |
| Georgia | 30032 | Candler-McAfee | $2,312 | $1,516 | $3,690 |
| Oklahoma | 73105 | Oklahoma City | $2,093 | $1,067 | $3,370 |
| South Dakota | 57770 | Pine Ridge | $2,034 | $1,128 | $3,397 |
| Minnesota | 55130 | St. Paul | $2,000 | $1,406 | $2,939 |
| West Virginia | 25674 | Kermit | $1,958 | $1,047 | $3,088 |
| Montana | 59089 | Wyola | $1,906 | $962 | $3,274 |
| Indiana | 46402 | Gary | $1,895 | $844 | $3,782 |
| New Mexico | 87121 | Albuquerque | $1,880 | $1,131 | $3,155 |
| Mississippi | 39086 | Hermanville | $1,861 | $1,057 | $2,773 |
| Washington D.C. | 20001 | Washington | $1,858 | $862 | $3,830 |
| Kansas | 67854 | Jetmore | $1,851 | $1,127 | $3,349 |
| Tennessee | 38127 | Memphis | $1,848 | $1,138 | $2,899 |
| Arkansas | 71644 | Grady | $1,833 | $1,097 | $3,754 |
| North Carolina | 28212 | Charlotte | $1,809 | $1,101 | $2,952 |
| Wyoming | 82716 | Gillette | $1,804 | $880 | $2,890 |
| Washington | 98118 | Seattle | $1,792 | $1,024 | $4,125 |
| Utah | 84104 | Salt Lake City | $1,765 | $859 | $3,048 |
| Oregon | 97266 | Portland | $1,736 | $1,214 | $2,276 |
| Alabama | 35218 | Birmingham | $1,726 | $1,022 | $2,382 |
| Iowa | 51654 | Thurman | $1,599 | $985 | $3,373 |
| New Hampshire | 3101 | Manchester | $1,597 | $840 | $5,129 |
| Alaska | 99504 | Anchorage | $1,590 | $1,024 | $2,272 |
| North Dakota | 58552 | Linton | $1,583 | $779 | $3,184 |
| Virginia | 23222 | Richmond | $1,549 | $931 | $3,966 |
| Hawaii | 96704 | Captain Cook | $1,398 | $1,055 | $1,833 |
| Ohio | 44104 | Cleveland | $1,275 | $779 | $1,906 |
| Vermont | 5073 | Taftsville | $1,209 | $756 | $1,978 |
| Idaho | 83546 | Pierce | $1,208 | $794 | $2,042 |
| Maine | 4491 | Vanceboro | $1,204 | $717 | $2,416 |
Mark Friedlander, director of Corporate Communications for the Insurance Information Institute in St. Johns, Florida, explains that the ZIP code you live in can make a big difference in your out-of-pocket insurance costs.
"You could reside in a large city like Chicago or Los Angeles and pay significantly different rates based on what ZIP code you live in within that city," he says.
Motor City madness: Why car insurance rates are so high in Detroit
Detroit may be known as "Motor City" and home to many famous automakers, but it's also the town with the dubious distinction of having the most expensive automobile insurance premiums, on average, in 2022.
Why? Consider that Michigan is a no-fault state. That means drivers are required to have personal injury protection coverage that safeguards against financial losses no matter who causes a vehicle accident.
The state also obligates drivers to have property protection insurance and at least a liability coverage ratio of 20/40/10. These mandatory coverages result in significantly increased premiums for drivers in Detroit and throughout Michigan.
Among the other reasons why motorists in Detroit and its home state pay more for car insurance is that Michigan has an extremely high rate of uninsured drivers – 25.5%, the second-highest in the nation – which causes carriers to shift to policyholders the extra expenses they have to pay for accidents involving uninsured drivers.
Learn more about Which states are no fault and what does it mean?
Which ZIP codes have the cheapest car insurance?
On the other hand, there are plenty of areas in the USA where you will likely fork over much less for car insurance.
| State | ZIP Code | City | Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 43456 | Put In Bay | $861 |
| Idaho | 83716 | Boise City | $973 |
| Maine | 4769 | Presque Isle | $1,016 |
| Iowa | 50014 | Ames | $1,085 |
| Virginia | 22802 | Harrisonburg | $1,093 |
| Oregon | 97408 | Eugene | $1,095 |
| Indiana | 46052 | Lebanon | $1,103 |
| Vermont | 5488 | Swanton | $1,107 |
| North Carolina | 28745 | Lake Junaluska | $1,123 |
| Tennessee | 37604 | Johnson City | $1,123 |
Five additional ZIP codes that boast lower rates are Ketchikan, Ala. ($1,150); Walnut Bottom, Pa. ($1,150); Anahola, Hawaii ($1,158); Howard, Wis. ($1,159); and Swanzey, NH ($1,161).
Want to know where you can actually get the very lowest automobile insurance policies (cheapest on a range, not averaged out, although you will pay higher on average for a policy in these ZIP codes)?
Check out these incredible rates:
- Corning, NY: $488
- Northfield, Mass.: $495
- Put In Bay, Ohio: $523
- Lebanon, Ind.: $583
- Boise City, Idaho: $642
| State | ZIP Code | City | Annual Premium | Lowest Price | Highest Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 43456 | Put In Bay | $861 | $523 | $1,425 |
| Idaho | 83716 | Boise City | $973 | $642 | $1,514 |
| Maine | 4769 | Presque Isle | $1,016 | $646 | $1,949 |
| Iowa | 50014 | Ames | $1,085 | $744 | $1,605 |
| Virginia | 22802 | Harrisonburg | $1,093 | $637 | $2,166 |
| Oregon | 97408 | Eugene | $1,095 | $681 | $1,471 |
| Indiana | 46052 | Lebanon | $1,103 | $583 | $1,899 |
| Vermont | 5488 | Swanton | $1,107 | $754 | $1,781 |
| North Carolina | 28745 | Lake Junaluska | $1,123 | $712 | $1,605 |
| Tennessee | 37604 | Johnson City | $1,123 | $804 | $1,691 |
| Alaska | 99901 | Ketchikan | $1,150 | $812 | $1,842 |
| Pennsylvania | 17266 | Walnut Bottom | $1,150 | $653 | $2,714 |
| Hawaii | 96703 | Anahola | $1,158 | $879 | $1,544 |
| Wisconsin | 54313 | Howard | $1,159 | $529 | $2,826 |
| New Hampshire | 3446 | Swanzey | $1,161 | $722 | $2,879 |
| North Dakota | 58104 | Fargo | $1,184 | $685 | $2,298 |
| Massachusetts | 1360 | Northfield | $1,185 | $495 | $1,802 |
| Washington | 98261 | Lopez Island | $1,185 | $731 | $3,066 |
| New Mexico | 88310 | Alamogordo | $1,270 | $819 | $1,962 |
| New York | 14830 | Corning | $1,281 | $488 | $2,346 |
| Maryland | 21742 | Fountainhead-Orchard Hills | $1,301 | $751 | $2,260 |
| Arizona | 86403 | Lake Havasu City | $1,306 | $830 | $3,259 |
| Minnesota | 56003 | North Mankato | $1,309 | $844 | $2,042 |
| Illinois | 61704 | Bloomington | $1,311 | $679 | $3,432 |
| South Dakota | 57064 | Tea | $1,329 | $936 | $1,917 |
| Georgia | 31605 | Valdosta | $1,330 | $860 | $2,298 |
| Utah | 84720 | Cedar City | $1,337 | $785 | $2,057 |
| Kansas | 66502 | Manhattan | $1,356 | $873 | $2,364 |
| West Virginia | 25401 | Martinsburg | $1,371 | $733 | $2,222 |
| Alabama | 36507 | Bay Minette | $1,385 | $869 | $2,205 |
| Colorado | 81507 | Redlands | $1,385 | $811 | $1,849 |
| Mississippi | 39759 | Starkville | $1,387 | $841 | $2,109 |
| Arkansas | 72941 | Lavaca | $1,394 | $935 | $2,777 |
| Rhode Island | 2842 | Newport East | $1,394 | $809 | $2,422 |
| Kentucky | 42303 | Owensboro | $1,435 | $1,039 | $2,232 |
| Montana | 59626 | Helena | $1,464 | $795 | $2,407 |
| South Carolina | 29665 | Newry | $1,495 | $1,042 | $3,080 |
| Nevada | 89406 | Fallon | $1,499 | $688 | $3,264 |
| Nebraska | 68512 | Lincoln | $1,525 | $940 | $2,908 |
| Connecticut | 6035 | Granby | $1,539 | $837 | $3,883 |
| California | 96067 | Mount Shasta | $1,571 | $1,038 | $2,228 |
| Oklahoma | 74006 | Bartlesville | $1,578 | $1,015 | $2,318 |
| New Jersey | 8730 | Brielle | $1,613 | $933 | $2,795 |
| Texas | 76306 | Wichita Falls | $1,616 | $1,035 | $2,740 |
| Michigan | 49107 | Buchanan | $1,658 | $1,185 | $2,408 |
| Wyoming | 82801 | Sheridan | $1,666 | $808 | $2,517 |
| Delaware | 19970 | Ocean View | $1,769 | $987 | $3,601 |
| Missouri | 65109 | Jefferson City | $1,785 | $893 | $4,558 |
| Washington D.C. | 20001 | Washington | $1,858 | $862 | $3,830 |
| Louisiana | 71064 | Plain Dealing | $1,925 | $1,189 | $2,958 |
| Florida | 32459 | Santa Rosa Beach | $1,951 | $1,162 | $2,478 |
Average car insurance rates decline since 2019
Based on Carinsurance.com 2022 data v. 2019, we can trace how car insurance premiums have gone up or down over the past three years.
Amazingly, the average annual premium has decreased across three common sets of coverage:
- State minimum coverage: $211 (average 2022 premium), down $68 (12%) since 2019
- 50/100/50 liability-only coverage: $637, down $11 (2%)
- 100/300/100 full coverage: $1,682, down $22 (1%).
| Coverage Set | 2019 Avg Annual Premium | 2022 Avg Annual Premium | $ Decrease | % Decrease |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Minimum | $579 | $511 | $68 | 12% |
| 50/100/50 Liability Only | $648 | $637 | $11 | 2% |
| Full Coverage 100/300/100 | $1,704 | $1,682 | $22 | 1% |
How your location affects your car insurance rate
Friedlander again points to a simple fact: The town you live in often has a significant effect on car insurance premiums.
"Metro area drivers pay much more for auto insurance than drivers in rural locations in the same state," he says. "For example, drivers in the Chicago area pay much more for auto insurance compared to downstate Illinois cities."
Additionally, ZIP codes with single-digit uninsured motorist rates "have lower average rates compared to ZIP codes with uninsured motorist rates above 20%," Friedlander says.
It stands to reason that drivers in ZIP codes with lower populations and lower accident rates will be charged less than motorists in cities with higher traffic volumes, accident frequencies and severity, vandalism, theft, and crime rates and insurance payouts.
"Inflation is also contributing to higher auto premiums," Friedlander says. "According to an analysis from the Insurance Information Institute, what we are now seeing are double-digit year-over-year increases in repair costs, driven by supply chain shortages of replacement parts and higher labor costs. Parts and equipment are up 12.6% year-over-year."
What's more, the cost of vehicles plays a huge role in the pricing equation for insurance. Year-over-year, new vehicle prices are up 12.2%, Friedlander says, while used vehicle prices have increased a whopping 40.5%.
Why do car insurance rates vary so much among insurance companies?
Car insurance companies assess many factors when setting rates, and your location is chief among them. Based on the number and severity, or cost, of car insurance claims within the area, insurers assign ZIP codes at different risk levels.
Insurers take into account the frequency of thefts, collisions and vandalism to gauge the likelihood of such incidents happening to drivers within the ZIP code. This is used as the base rate from which insurers calculate your premium.
Other pricing factors, such as your driving record, type of car you drive and your age are then added into the calculation.
| Vehicles | Average Rates |
|---|---|
| Convertibles | $2,628 |
| Hybrids | $2,042 |
| Vans | $1,606 |
| Trucks | $1,787 |
| SUVs | $1,946 |
| Tesla Model 3 | $2,503 |
| Cars | $2,316 |
| Electric vehicles | $2,322 |
To estimate car insurance costs, you can take into account your age, the level of coverage you need and your location.
Every car insurance company uses its own base rate and formula, which is why rates can vary so much, and why it's important to comparison shop to get affordable car insurance. For instance, CarInsurance.com’s rate analysis found the following potential savings, or the difference between the highest and lowest price, for the same policy:
| Coverage | Highest Price | Lowest Price | $ Difference | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Coverage 100/300/100 | $16,397 | $468 | $15,929 | 3404% |
| State Minimum | $6,843 | $127 | $6,716 | 5288% |
How to save on car insurance regardless of your ZIP code
Live in a ZIP code where auto insurance premiums are off the charts? Having trouble affording car insurance no matter what town you call home? There are several strategies you can pursue to decrease your coverage costs.
Price around for a policy:
Request quotes from several different insurance carriers and compare apples-to-apples coverages, limits and deductibles.
Inquire about discounts:
"Drivers should speak with their agent regarding all of the discounts that a carrier has to offer," says Justin Yoshizawa.
"For example, if you have more than one vehicle or drivers related to you living in your home, insurers will give discounts for insuring multiple vehicles in the same household." Other discounts you can seek out include discounts for having an antitheft device, taking a defensive driving course and having no accidents or moving violations for the past three years.
Check out our detailed guide on the Best car insurance discounts
Drive less than expected:
"Some insurers offer discounts to motorists who drive a lower-than-average number of miles a year, including drivers who carpool to work," says Friedlander.
Bundle your vehicle and home insurance:
By purchasing two or more types of insurance products from the same insurer, you can possibly save big money on each policy.
Increase your deductible:
"By requesting higher deductibles, you can lower your costs substantially. For example, increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce your collision and comprehensive coverage cost by 15% to 30%," explains Yoshizawa. "Going to a $1,000 deductible can save you 40% or more."
Read more about Why Raising Deductibles Saves you Money?
Explore group insurance:
"Some companies offer reductions to drivers who get insurance through a group plan from their employers, through professional, business, and alumni groups, or from other associations. Ask your employer and inquire with groups or clubs you are a member of to see if this is possible," Friedlander suggests.
Resources & Methodology
Source:
Insurance Information Institute. “Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists.” Accessed June 2022.
Methodology:
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services in 2022 for auto insurance rates for a 40-year-old male driver with a good insurance score (no violations) and a 12-mile commute with a full-coverage policy. The data includes auto coverage by ZIP code for 2022 as well as data from 2019 and 2022 vehicle data.
– Michelle Megna contributed to this story.
"Among them are social factors like population density, how many people are on the road, how high the theft rate is, and how many accidents occur in that state. There are also environmental factors like what road conditions are like in that state and how bad the weather is," Cudd says.