A new WalletHub study released July 10, 2025, reveals that South Carolina residents spend approximately 8.42% of their monthly household income on individual health‑insurance premiums—placing the state 21st out of 50 in terms of relative financial burden (WalletHub).
How South Carolina Compares
- Top spending states include Vermont (19.61%) and West Virginia (18.81%), where insurance costs consume nearly one-fifth of monthly earnings (WalletHub).
- Low‑burden states include New Hampshire (4.02%) and Maryland (4.27%) (WalletHub).
- South Carolina’s 8.42% is just under its Carolinian neighbor, North Carolina, which ranks 17th at 8.62% .
In comparison, the national median for states with moderate spending (mid‑ranked) hovers around 8–9%, indicating South Carolina sits squarely in the middle range of premium pressure.
Why This Matters for Local Families
Health‑insurance premiums—specifically for “Silver” ACA plans—have increased by about 6% for individuals and 7% for families in 2024 . This steadily growing cost means that even moderate earners in South Carolina could be allocating hundreds of extra dollars monthly to stay insured.
This impact is particularly keen given South Carolina’s broader health‑care context: the state ranks 37th nationally for overall health‑system performance, with fewer physicians per capita and slightly higher rates of poverty, teen births, infant mortality, and obesity than the national average.
Tips & Tools to Ease the Burden
WalletHub’s experts recommend several strategies for managing rising premiums:
- Choose a high‑deductible plan if you’re generally healthy. This lowers monthly costs while still providing coverage.
- Budget ahead, including insurance costs in regular expense planning and maintaining an emergency fund.
- Leverage employer-sponsored coverage or stay on a parent’s insurance until age 26.
- Utilize free preventive services and in-network care to keep out-of-pocket costs down (WalletHub).
Bottom Line for South Carolinians
- South Carolina’s health-insurance costs are moderate compared to other states—neither the least nor the most burdensome.
- For local families, the rising cost trend underscores the importance of careful budgeting, employer‑sponsored plans, and smart insurance choices.
- Community awareness and employer outreach remain vital in helping residents manage health‑coverage expenses.
| Overall Rank* | State | Cost of Insurance as % of Median Monthly Household Income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | 19.61% |
| 2 | West Virginia | 18.81% |
| 3 | Alaska | 13.97% |
| 4 | Wyoming | 13.76% |
| 5 | New York | 10.87% |
| 6 | Mississippi | 10.47% |
| 7 | South Dakota | 10.21% |
| 8 | Louisiana | 10.18% |
| 9 | Alabama | 10.12% |
| 10 | New Mexico | 9.66% |
| 11 | Nebraska | 9.52% |
| 12 | Oklahoma | 9.30% |
| 13 | Montana | 9.27% |
| 14 | Arkansas | 9.23% |
| 15 | Tennessee | 9.17% |
| 16 | Maine | 9.11% |
| 17 | North Carolina | 8.62% |
| 18 | Florida | 8.58% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 8.45% |
| 20 | Missouri | 8.43% |
| 21 | South Carolina | 8.42% |
| 22 | Kansas | 8.39% |
| 23 | Kentucky | 8.36% |
| 24 | North Dakota | 8.28% |
| 25 | Georgia | 7.86% |
| 26 | Wisconsin | 7.72% |
| 27 | Delaware | 7.68% |
| 28 | Texas | 7.58% |
| 29 | Ohio | 7.53% |
| 30 | Oregon | 7.42% |
| 31 | Iowa | 7.01% |
| 32 | Utah | 6.96% |
| 33 | Pennsylvania | 6.96% |
| 34 | Idaho | 6.91% |
| 35 | Illinois | 6.87% |
| 36 | Michigan | 6.65% |
| 37 | Nevada | 6.56% |
| 38 | Indiana | 6.51% |
| 39 | Arizona | 5.96% |
| 40 | Hawaii | 5.93% |
| 41 | Colorado | 5.90% |
| 42 | California | 5.84% |
| 43 | New Jersey | 5.72% |
| 44 | Rhode Island | 5.61% |
| 45 | Washington | 5.26% |
| 46 | Massachusetts | 4.96% |
| 47 | Minnesota | 4.87% |
| 48 | Virginia | 4.85% |
| 49 | Maryland | 4.27% |
| 50 | New Hampshire | 4.02% |
Note: *No. 1 = Highest Spending
