Quick answer
On a job-based plan, the average worker paid $6,850 a year (about $571 a month) toward family coverage in 2025, and the employer paid the rest of a $26,993 premium. Buying your own coverage costs more before subsidies: a benchmark silver plan for two 40-year-old parents and one young child averages about $1,624 a month in 2026. A family of three can get a premium tax credit with income between $26,650 and $106,600 for 2026 coverage.
Key takeaways
- Job-based family coverage usually costs the same for a family of three as for larger families.
- Marketplace premiums depend on each person’s age and where you live.
- With a $60,000 income, a family of three would pay about $376 a month for the benchmark silver plan in 2026 after the tax credit.
- Children often qualify for Medicaid or CHIP even when parents don’t, up to about $69,700 for a family of three in a typical state.
- The out-of-pocket maximum for a family plan is $21,200 in 2026 and $24,000 in 2027.
On this page
What families pay for job-based coverage
KFF’s 2025 employer survey found the average family premium was $26,993, with workers paying $6,850 of it, about $571 a month. Many employers offer cheaper tiers, like employee plus spouse or employee plus child, which can fit a family of three. The average deductible for single coverage was $1,886, and family deductibles run higher.
What a marketplace plan costs for a family of three
| Who’s covered | Monthly premium before subsidies |
|---|---|
| Two 40-year-old parents | About $1,250 |
| One child under 15 | About $374 |
| Family of three | About $1,624 |
A single parent with two young children would pay about $1,373 a month for benchmark plans (one 40-year-old and two children). Prices vary a lot by state; see our guides for New York, Florida, Texas, California and Ohio.
How subsidies change the price
| Household income | Your share of income | Your cost for the benchmark silver plan |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | About 4.2% | About $140 a month |
| $60,000 | About 7.5% | About $376 a month |
| $80,000 | 9.96% | About $664 a month |
| $100,000 | 9.96% | About $830 a month |
| $110,000 | No credit | About $1,624 a month |
If your income is under 250% of the poverty level (about $66,600 for a family of three for 2026 coverage), silver plans also come with cost-sharing reductions that lower deductibles and copays. For 2027 coverage, the tax credit limit rises to $109,280 for a family of three, and the most anyone pays for the benchmark plan rises to 10.22% of income.
Medicaid and CHIP for your child
Children qualify for Medicaid or CHIP at much higher incomes than adults, up to about $69,700 for a family of three in the median state. Your child can be on CHIP while you and your partner have a marketplace or job-based plan. See health insurance for children.
Choosing the right plan
- HMO or PPO? HMOs usually cost less but limit you to the network. PPOs cost more but cover some out-of-network care.
- Deductible. A higher deductible lowers the premium but means you pay more before coverage kicks in. See whether a high or low deductible is better.
- Doctors. Make sure your pediatrician is in the network.
- One plan or two? Compare covering everyone together with splitting coverage; see covering all family members under the same policy.
State-by-state costs: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Washington.
See family plans and prices for your ZIP code: compare quotes.
Frequently asked questions
How much is health insurance for a family of three per month?
On a job-based plan, workers paid about $571 a month on average for family coverage in 2025. On the marketplace, a benchmark silver plan for two 40-year-olds and a young child averages about $1,624 a month before subsidies, and much less with a tax credit.
What income qualifies a family of three for subsidies?
For 2026 coverage, household income between $26,650 and $106,600. For 2027 coverage, $27,320 to $109,280.
Is a family plan cheaper than individual plans?
On the marketplace, a family premium is the sum of each person’s rate, so it costs the same either way. On job-based plans, family tiers are often cheaper per person than separate coverage.
Sources
This article is general information, not insurance or tax advice. Estimates use national averages; your actual costs depend on your state, ages, income and plan. Last reviewed September 2026.