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1-800-952-8444Posted on May 12, 2026
The cost of healthcare in the United States continues to be a pressing concern that affects millions of individuals across the nation. In fact, more than 100 million Americans carry healthcare-related debt, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. So how much does the average American spend on health-related expenses out of pocket?
We surveyed over 2,000 Americans to find out. We asked about their average annual spend on both medical expenses (such as doctor’s appointments, dental checkups, prescriptions, etc.) and everyday expenses (including over-the-counter medications). We also asked a variety of related questions including, perceptions towards healthcare and how demographic characteristics impact priorities. From there, we mapped out which U.S. states are spending the most and least on their well-being, and other key insights associated with healthcare spending.
Read on to see what we found.
When we looked into which U.S. states spend the most and least on healthcare each year, we found some interesting differences. We compared these to the national average, which is about $2,456.42 that people pay from their own pockets for healthcare every year.
Maryland spends the most on healthcare, with people paying $6,426.57 on average each year — with over $5,000 going towards medical-related expenses alone. This means folks in Maryland are spending a significant amount more than most people in the U.S. to stay healthy.
Delaware is next, where people spend $3,481.42 per year on healthcare. That’s a lot of money, showing that people in Delaware also pay a lot to take care of their health.
Continuing, Nebraska, Missouri, and Illinois are among the states where people spend the most on healthcare each year. Those in Nebraska spend $3,318.06, making it the third highest in healthcare expenses. Missouri is close behind with an annual spend of $3,294.85, ranking fourth, while Illinois rounds out the top five with people spending $3,281.64 on their health needs.
But not all states spend so much. Hawaii spends the least, with people only paying $1,036.24 on average per year. That’s substantially less than the national average and the lowest in the U.S. The average Hawaiian spends just around $700 on medical expenses and $25 on everyday health essentials each year.
Ohio is next from the bottom, where people spend about $1,464.51 per year on healthcare. Similarly, Arkansas residents spend an average of $1,599.69 each year, ranking third lowest in the nation. Rounding out the bottom five are Oklahoma and Florida, where the average American spends less than $2,000 per year on healthcare costs.
Healthcare spending in the U.S. doesn’t come from one source alone. On average, Americans spend the most on health insurance premiums, followed by out-of-pocket medical costs such as doctor visits, prescription medications, and specialist care. Additional expenses — like dental checkups, vision services, and over-the-counter medications — also add up over the course of a year. Together, these costs make up the average cost of healthcare in the U.S., showing just how much the typical American budget is impacted by essential health-related expenses.
Zooming out, we next wanted to analyze the beliefs, behaviors, and preferences of Americans when it comes to healthcare. A vast majority, 81% of Americans, believe healthcare should be free, but this sentiment isn’t uniformly shared across all demographics. Only 65% of Baby Boomers share this belief, indicating generational differences in attitudes toward healthcare accessibility.
The stress associated with healthcare costs is significantly higher among Americans without health insurance, who often take extra precautions to avoid medical expenses. In fact, 76% of uninsured Americans report being more cautious about their health and safety, compared to 65% of those with coverage. When it comes to choosing providers, nearly half of uninsured individuals (49%) are willing to visit a lower-reputation healthcare provider to save money, reflecting how concerns about the average cost of healthcare in the U.S. shape everyday decisions.
Gen Z stands out as the generation most cautious about healthcare spending, defying the stereotype of being carefree with money. Alongside Millennials, they demonstrate a stronger focus on mental health and therapy than Gen Xers and Baby Boomers — a clear sign of shifting priorities as younger Americans pay closer attention to the average cost of healthcare in the U.S. and its impact on their overall well-being.
Cost barriers to healthcare access are stark; 42% of Americans have skipped necessary medication due to cost. Another 59% have avoided needed healthcare examination, a figure that rises to 80% among those without health insurance. Regular healthcare practices, like annual physicals and dental visits, are also impacted by insurance status and cost concerns. Surprisingly, annual income levels do not significantly impact spending, indicating a widespread concern across all income brackets.
When considering hypothetical financial windfalls, Americans’ preferences further reflect their priorities and values. Given $1,000, the overwhelming choice would be a vacation over cosmetic enhancements, although a small percentage (11%) would opt for the latter.
The amount Americans spend on healthcare each year depends on several key factors. Insurance coverage plays the biggest role — those without health insurance often face much higher out-of-pocket expenses. Geography also matters; costs can vary dramatically from one state to another due to local pricing and access to care. Age, chronic health conditions, and lifestyle choices can further drive up expenses. Even preventive habits, like regular checkups or therapy, influence how much individuals spend annually. Understanding these factors helps explain why the average cost of healthcare in the U.S. continues to rise year after year.
The conversation around how much Americans spend on healthcare each year isn’t just about numbers — it’s about access, fairness, and accountability. As medical malpractice attorneys, Weiss & Paarz regularly see how high costs and systemic inefficiencies can prevent patients from receiving the care they deserve. Whether it’s navigating complex insurance claims or pursuing justice for victims of medical negligence, understanding the average cost of healthcare in the U.S. underscores why legal advocacy plays a vital role in achieving a more equitable healthcare system for all.
It’s evident that Americans are grappling with a range of challenges and concerns when it comes to accessing and affording healthcare. From the disparities in individual out-of-pocket expenses across states to the profound impact of insurance status on healthcare behaviors and stress levels, there are several perspectives to the conversation.
Whether it’s advocating for victims of medical malpractice or helping navigate the complexities of insurance claims, Weiss & Paarz serves as allies in the fight for justice and equitable healthcare access.
To perform our analysis of healthcare spending across the U.S., we conducted a nationwide survey of over 2,100 participants. We asked anonymous respondents to report on their typical healthcare spending, as well as their general thoughts and feelings. The following states were omitted from our report due to insufficient sample sizes: Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming.
Disclaimer: The historical information and specific statistics displayed above are solely designed to provide general knowledge to the public and are being used as a part of attorney marketing. Cited statistics and statements were taken from the research of various independent websites (referenced below). Weiss & Paarz did not take any steps to replicate the findings of any sources used in this infographic, nor were the numbers or results displayed above independently verified by Weiss & Paarz.
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