Head-to-head, from CMS Plan Year 2026 data.
Licensed Independent Agent · NPN #22052447 · 21 States
Alabama is the cheaper of the two: a 40-year-old pays about $680/month for the median lowest-cost Silver plan, versus $725 — a difference of $45/month (7%) before subsidies.
| Alabama | South Dakota | |
|---|---|---|
| Median Silver @40 | $680 | $725 |
| Cheapest Silver @40 | $583 | $512 |
| Most expensive county @40 | $1,124 | $882 |
| Age 27 | $478 | $420 |
| Age 60 | $1,238 | $1,087 |
| Carriers | 4 | 3 |
| Counties | 67 | 66 |
| 1-carrier counties | 7 | 0 |
| Plan types | EPO, PPO | EPO, HMO, PPO |
Source: CMS Plan Year 2026 Qualified Health Plan Landscape. Full-price filed rates before premium tax credits; not a quote or an offer of coverage.
This page sets two states against each other. For county-by-county carriers, plan data and help actually enrolling, I publish a page for each state on Coverage by County: Alabama or South Dakota. There is also a blog covering deductibles, subsidies and special enrollment periods.
Put your ZIP code in and I will show you the carriers filing in your county, what the cheapest plan costs, and what you would actually pay after any help you qualify for. No cost, and you talk to me — not a call center.