South 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 South Carolina’s benchmark is $564 a month, which ranks 18th of 51 (1 is cheapest) and sits 9.8% below the national benchmark of $625.
| Rank | State | Benchmark @40, 2026 | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | New Jersey | $545 | -12.8% |
| 17 | Colorado | $557 | -10.9% |
| 18 | South Carolina | $564 | -9.8% |
| 19 | California | $570 | -8.8% |
| 20 | North Dakota | $570 | -8.8% |
Among the 21 states covered on this site, South Carolina is 8th of 21 on benchmark cost.
South 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 South Carolina is 17.2% (requested, weighted), 7th-highest of the 23 states I cover.
No insurer exit has been reported in South Carolina 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
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 | South Carolina | Rank of 15 | Best of the 15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Silver premium @40 | $636 | 3rd | Indiana, $558 |
| Carriers filing | 6 | 7th | Florida, 15 |
| Counties with one carrier | 0 of 46 | 1st | Arkansas, 0 |
| Network types on the exchange | EPO, HMO, POS, PPO | — | — |
The cheapest Silver plan anywhere in South Carolina for a 40-year-old is $456 from Ambetter from Absolute Total Care in Abbeville County. PPO plans are filed in South Carolina.
South Carolina vs Alabama · South Carolina vs Arkansas · South Carolina vs Florida · South Carolina vs Indiana · South Carolina vs Kansas · South Carolina vs Michigan · South Carolina vs Nebraska · South Carolina vs North Carolina · South Carolina vs Ohio · South Carolina vs Oklahoma · South Carolina vs South Dakota · South Carolina vs Texas · South Carolina vs Utah · South Carolina vs Wisconsin
Premiums do not change with your job, but whether you clear the 2026 subsidy cliff often does. Each page puts South 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
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 South 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.