Maryland against the other states, on one basis. Plan year 2026.
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The one price published on the same basis for every state is KFF’s benchmark premium: the second-lowest-cost Silver plan for a 40-year-old, the plan premium tax credits are calculated against. In 2026 Maryland’s benchmark is $414 a month, which ranks 2nd of 51 (1 is cheapest) and sits 33.8% below the national benchmark of $625. It was $365 in 2025, a change of +13.4%.
| Rank | State | Benchmark @40, 2026 | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | $401 | -35.8% |
| 2 | Maryland | $414 | -33.8% |
| 3 | Minnesota | $448 | -28.3% |
| 4 | Virginia | $455 | -27.2% |
Among the 21 states covered on this site, Maryland is 1st of 21 on benchmark cost.
Maryland runs its own marketplace, Maryland Health Connection. Open Enrollment opens November 1, 2026. Maryland Health Connection sets the closing date, and a plan picked by December 15 starts January 1.
Insurers’ average 2027 increase in Maryland is 13.7% (requested), 17th-highest of the 23 states I cover. Maryland sets final rates in September, so this may still change.
No insurer exit has been reported in Maryland for 2027. Networks and drug lists still change, so check your plan anyway.
All 23 states · 2027 increases ranked · Insurers leaving · Get my 2027 prices
Maryland buys through Maryland Health Connection rather than healthcare.gov (its own exchange since 2014), so it is not in the CMS landscape file that drives the plan-level comparisons for the other 15 states. Carriers were approved for an average +13.4% for 2026 against +17.1% requested.
Maryland has the second-cheapest benchmark premium in the country at $414, behind New Hampshire, and the smallest approved increase of these six at 13.4%. Its 1332 State Innovation Waiver reinsurance program, approved through 2028, keeps rates an estimated 30–35% below where they would otherwise sit — 2026 rates are still 6% below pre-waiver 2018 rates.
Premiums do not change with your job, but whether you clear the 2026 subsidy cliff often does. Each page puts Maryland against the other states for that occupation.
Accountants
Architects
Attorneys
Auto Body Technicians
Auto Glass Technicians
Auto Mechanics
Barbers
Bookkeepers
Car Wash Operators
Carpenters
Chiropractors
Commercial Cleaners
Concrete Contractors
Consultants
Copywriters
Counselors
Credit Repair Specialists
Dentists
Dietitians
Dog Groomers
Dog Trainers
Drywall Contractors
Electricians
Embroidery Operators
Engineers
Estheticians
Event Planners
Financial Advisors
Flooring Contractors
Freelance Designers
Freelance Developers
General Contractors
Hair Stylists
Home Inspectors
HVAC Contractors
Instagram Influencers
Insulation Contractors
Insurance Agents
Interior Designers
IT Consultants
Junk Removal Contractors
Land Clearing Contractors
Landscape Contractors
Life Coaches
Locksmiths
Marketing Consultants
Massage Therapists
Mortgage Brokers
Musicians
Nail Technicians
Nurse Practitioners
Occupational Therapists
Online Course Creators
Onlyfans Creators
Painters
Paving Contractors
Personal Chefs
Personal Trainers
Pest Control Technicians
Photographers
Physical Therapists
Plumbers
Podcast Hosts
Private Tutors
Property Managers
Psychologists
Real Estate Agents
Real Estate Brokers
Real Estate Investors
Residential Cleaners
Roofers
Screen Printers
Social Media Managers
Speech Therapists
Tattoo Artists
Tax Preparers
Therapists
Tiktok Creators
Tow Truck Operators
Tree Service Contractors
Truck Drivers
Twitch Streamers
Ux Designers
Videographers
Virtual Assistants
Welders
Window Installers
Youtube Creators
Sources: KFF, “Marketplace Average Benchmark Premiums,” 2026. Benchmark is the second-lowest-cost Silver plan for a 40-year-old, weighted by plan selections. CMS Plan Year 2026 Qualified Health Plan Landscape file for the 15 healthcare.gov states. Full-price rates before premium tax credits; not a quote or an offer of coverage.
County-by-county plans and prices for Maryland on Coverage by County →
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.
Premiums are set county by county, so national averages tell you very little. Enter your ZIP and I will show you the plans filed where you live.