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 two young children averages about $1,998 a month in 2026. A family of four can get a premium tax credit with income between $32,150 and $128,600 for 2026 coverage.
Key takeaways
- Job-based family premiums averaged $26,993 in 2025; workers paid about a quarter of that.
- A marketplace family premium is the sum of each person’s age-based rate.
- With a $75,000 income, a family of four would pay about $489 a month for the benchmark silver plan in 2026 after the tax credit.
- Kids in a family of four can often get Medicaid or CHIP with income up to about $84,150 in a typical state.
- ACA plans can’t charge your family more because of anyone’s health.
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What families pay for job-based coverage
The average family premium was $26,993 in 2025, and workers paid $6,850 of it, according to KFF. What you pay depends on your employer: workers at small firms often pay a bigger share for family coverage. Family deductibles are usually higher than the $1,886 average for single coverage.
What a marketplace plan costs for a family of four
| Who’s covered | Monthly premium before subsidies |
|---|---|
| Two 40-year-old parents | About $1,250 |
| Two children under 15 | About $748 |
| Family of four | About $1,998 |
Prices vary a lot by state: see New York, Florida, Texas, California and Ohio. Bronze plans cost less each month but have higher deductibles.
How subsidies change the price
| Household income | Your share of income | Your cost for the benchmark silver plan |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | About 4.5% | About $186 a month |
| $75,000 | About 7.8% | About $489 a month |
| $100,000 | 9.96% | About $830 a month |
| $125,000 | 9.96% | About $1,038 a month |
| $135,000 | No credit | About $1,998 a month |
If your income is under 250% of the poverty level (about $80,400 for a family of four for 2026 coverage), silver plans also lower your deductible and copays. For 2027 coverage, the tax credit limit rises to $132,000, and the most anyone pays for the benchmark plan rises to 10.22% of income.
Medicaid and CHIP
In states that expanded Medicaid, parents in a family of four qualify with income up to about $45,540 in 2026. Children qualify at higher incomes, up to about $84,150 in the median state. See health insurance for children and health insurance for low-income families.
Choosing a family plan
- HMO or PPO? HMOs usually cost less and work well if everyone uses the same doctors. PPOs cost more but cover some out-of-network care.
- Health needs. ACA plans can’t charge more or deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions, but ongoing care affects how much you’ll pay out of pocket. A plan with a lower deductible may cost less over the year.
- Out-of-pocket limit. A family plan caps in-network costs at $21,200 in 2026 ($24,000 in 2027), and no one person pays more than $10,600.
- Extras. Some plans add perks like telehealth or wellness rewards, and a few help with gym memberships. Don’t let extras outweigh the network and total cost.
State-by-state costs: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Washington.
Related guides: health insurance for a couple, what a 40-year-old pays and how to add a newborn to your health insurance.
See family plans and prices for your ZIP code: compare quotes.
Frequently asked questions
How much is health insurance for a family of four per month?
Workers with job-based family coverage paid about $571 a month on average in 2025. On the marketplace, a benchmark silver plan for two 40-year-olds and two young children averages about $1,998 a month before subsidies.
What income qualifies a family of four for subsidies?
For 2026 coverage, $32,150 to $128,600. For 2027 coverage, $33,000 to $132,000.
Should we get our kids on CHIP instead of our family plan?
If your income qualifies, CHIP is often much cheaper than adding children to a family plan. Compare the cost of your family coverage with putting the kids on CHIP.
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.