North Carolina 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 North Carolina’s benchmark is $638 a month, which ranks 30th of 51 (1 is cheapest) and sits 2.1% above the national benchmark of $625.
| Rank | State | Benchmark @40, 2026 | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | Georgia | $615 | -1.6% |
| 29 | New Mexico | $623 | -0.3% |
| 30 | North Carolina | $638 | +2.1% |
| 31 | Utah | $640 | +2.4% |
| 32 | Alabama | $645 | +3.2% |
Among the 21 states covered on this site, North Carolina is 12th of 21 on benchmark cost.
North Carolina uses HealthCare.gov. Open Enrollment runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027; pick a plan by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1.
Insurers’ average 2027 increase in North Carolina is 14.9% (requested, weighted), 13th-highest of the 23 states I cover.
Cigna is leaving North Carolina’s marketplace for 2027. If your plan is from Cigna, choose your 2027 plan yourself rather than letting the marketplace pick one for you.
All 23 states · 2027 increases ranked · Insurers leaving · Get my 2027 prices
For the 15 healthcare.gov states here, the CMS Plan Year 2026 landscape file gives plan-level detail. Ranks are out of 15; for cost and single-carrier counties, 1 is best.
| Measure | North Carolina | Rank of 15 | Best of the 15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Silver premium @40 | $828 | 13th | Indiana, $558 |
| Carriers filing | 6 | 7th | Florida, 15 |
| Counties with one carrier | 0 of 100 | 1st | Arkansas, 0 |
| Network types on the exchange | EPO, HMO, POS, PPO | — | — |
The cheapest Silver plan anywhere in North Carolina for a 40-year-old is $540 from Ambetter of North Carolina in Davidson County. PPO plans are filed in North Carolina.
North Carolina vs Alabama · North Carolina vs Arkansas · North Carolina vs Florida · North Carolina vs Indiana · North Carolina vs Kansas · North Carolina vs Michigan · North Carolina vs Nebraska · North Carolina vs Ohio · North Carolina vs Oklahoma · North Carolina vs South Carolina · North Carolina vs South Dakota · North Carolina vs Texas · North Carolina vs Utah · North Carolina vs Wisconsin
Premiums do not change with your job, but whether you clear the 2026 subsidy cliff often does. Each page puts North Carolina 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
Fence Contractors
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
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 North Carolina 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.