Mapped: The Most Expensive States for Healthcare in 2026
Key Takeaways
- Massachusetts has the highest healthcare costs in the ranking, at nearly 32% above the U.S. average.
- Eight of the 10 highest-cost states are in the Northeast or West.
- Mississippi has the lowest healthcare index at 85.1, around 15% below the national average.
Healthcare prices vary substantially across the U.S., with the gap between the highest- and lowest-cost states approaching 47 index points.
This map ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia by their healthcare cost index in 2026, with the national average set at 100.
The data for this visualization comes from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), using data from the Council for Community and Economic Research’s Cost of Living Index.
The healthcare component is based on listed prices for doctor, dentist, and optometrist visits, along with commonly used drugs.
Massachusetts and Alaska Lead the Ranking
Massachusetts has the highest healthcare index at 131.8, meaning costs are nearly 32% above the national benchmark.
| Rank | State | Healthcare Cost Index (U.S. = 100) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 131.8 |
| 2 | Alaska | 130.7 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | 118.7 |
| 4 | New Jersey | 115.8 |
| 5 | Oregon | 115.3 |
| 6 | Maine | 114.7 |
| 7 | Hawaii | 113.1 |
| 8 | Minnesota | 111.5 |
| 9 | California | 111.1 |
| 10 | Washington | 110.3 |
| 11 | Connecticut | 108.9 |
| 11 | New York | 108.9 |
| 13 | North Carolina | 108.4 |
| 14 | Vermont | 108.2 |
| 15 | North Dakota | 107.7 |
| 16 | Maryland | 106.9 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | 106.5 |
| 18 | Montana | 106.3 |
| 19 | Nebraska | 105.6 |
| 20 | Nevada | 105.4 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | 105.3 |
| 22 | Rhode Island | 104.1 |
| 22 | South Dakota | 104.1 |
| 24 | Colorado | 103.9 |
| 25 | Illinois | 103 |
| 26 | New Mexico | 101.9 |
| 27 | Delaware | 101.6 |
| 27 | Idaho | 101.6 |
| 29 | Florida | 101.4 |
| 30 | Georgia | 99.6 |
| 31 | Arizona | 98.8 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | 98.1 |
| 33 | Missouri | 98 |
| 34 | South Carolina | 97.6 |
| 35 | Wyoming | 97 |
| 36 | Virginia | 96.9 |
| 37 | Texas | 96.8 |
| 38 | Ohio | 96.5 |
| 39 | Pennsylvania | 95.1 |
| 40 | Iowa | 94.3 |
| 41 | Kentucky | 92.4 |
| 42 | Louisiana | 91.6 |
| 43 | Indiana | 91.5 |
| 44 | Kansas | 90.6 |
| 45 | Utah | 89.9 |
| 46 | West Virginia | 89.5 |
| 47 | Tennessee | 88.7 |
| 48 | Michigan | 88.2 |
| 49 | Arkansas | 85.8 |
| 50 | Alabama | 85.6 |
| 51 | Mississippi | 85.1 |
Massachusetts is home to a dense network of major hospitals, universities, and research institutions. High wages and operating costs can also contribute to higher healthcare prices.
Alaska follows closely at 130.7. Its geography creates a very different cost structure, with remote communities often facing limited provider competition and higher transportation and staffing expenses.
Delivering medical services across large distances can make routine care more expensive.
High Costs Cluster in the Northeast and West
The top of the ranking has a clear regional tilt, with eight of the 10 highest-cost states located in the Northeast or West.
New Jersey has an index of 115.8 and Maine stands at 114.7, while Connecticut and New York both come in at 108.9. High labor, real estate, and operating costs can contribute to higher prices across the region.
Western states also feature prominently. Oregon ranks fifth nationally at 115.3, followed by Hawaii at 113.1, California at 111.1, and Washington at 110.3.
The South Has Some of the Lowest Healthcare Costs
At the opposite end of the ranking, Mississippi has the lowest healthcare index at 85.1.
Alabama follows at 85.6, while Arkansas stands at 85.8. Tennessee, at 88.7, and West Virginia, at 89.5, also rank among the least expensive.
Overall, the gap between Massachusetts and Mississippi is 46.7 index points, underscoring the wide variation in routine healthcare prices across the country.
Learn More on the Voronoi App
If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Mapped: U.S. States With the Most Financial Distress on Voronoi.