Best Cheap Health Insurance in California for 2026
Kaiser Permanente has the best affordable health insurance in California. Its cheapest Silver plan costs $471 before discounts.
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Best and cheapest health insurance in California
Cheapest California health insurance in 2026
L.A. Care is the cheapest health insurance company in California with plans that cost as little as $392 per month, before discounts.
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Affordable health insurance in California
Company |
Cost
| |
|---|---|---|
| L.A. Care Health Plan | $392-$415 |
| Health Net | $453-$858 |
| Molina Healthcare | $459-$533 |
| Inland Empire Health Plan | $465-$465 |
- L.A. Care has the cheapest rates in California and has the most affordable health insurance quotes for about a quarter of the people in California. But you can only get L.A. Care if you live in Los Angeles County. The cheapest health insurance in your city may be from another company such as Kaiser Permanente, Health Net or Anthem Blue Cross.
- Most individuals don't have to pay full price for health insurance when shopping on Covered California, the health insurance marketplace that's run by the state. That's because most shoppers qualify for income-based discounts, which lower the cost of insurance based on how much you earn. You can apply the discounts to any insurance company you choose.
Starting in 2026, Aetna will stop selling plans on the California health exchange. That means if you currently have an Aetna health plan, you'll have to switch to a new company during open enrollment (Nov. 1 to Jan. 31).
Aetna customers may want to consider switching to Kaiser Permanente because the company has a strong reputation for service and cheap rates. Blue Cross Blue Shield is another good choice if you want more flexibility when choosing your doctor or need to see hard-to-get specialists.
Best health insurance companies in California
Kaiser Permanente has the best overall health insurance in California for individuals and families, with rates starting at $471 per month, before discounts.
Kaiser Permanente has a 5-out-of-5-star overall plan rating from HealthCare.gov. That's the highest possible score for plan quality and customer satisfaction. Kaiser has been consistently well-rated for several years.
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Best-rated health insurance companies in California
Company |
ACA rating
|
VP rating
|
|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente | ||
| Western Health Advantage | ||
| Sharp Health Plan | ||
| Blue Shield of California | ||
| Health Net |
Why Kaiser Permanente has the best medical insurance in California
Kaiser Permanente health insurance plans have great benefits and high customer satisfaction.
A Kaiser Permanente Gold plan on Covered California has better benefits than a Silver plan. With a Gold plan from Kaiser, the full benefits will begin as soon as the plan starts because there's no deductible.
Kaiser Permanente plans give you cheap medical care as soon as the plan begins.
Plus, plans are closely tied to Kaiser's medical centers so your coverage and medical care are streamlined and easy to use. You can even use the same app to manage both your doctor appointments and insurance benefits.
Policyholders say they're happy overall with their Kaiser health insurance plans and the medical care they get.
The downside of Kaiser is that you'll have to get your medical care at one of the company's medical centers, unless it's an emergency or you're traveling.
If you'd rather have more flexibility about the doctors you use, choose Blue Cross Blue Shield instead of Kaiser.
Sharp Health Plan is the second-best health insurance company in California because it has high customer satisfaction and affordable rates starting at $475 per month, before discounts. However, you can only get a Sharp plan if you live in San Diego.
- Sharp Health has four out of five stars on Covered California. And similar to Kaiser, you'll get many types of affordable medical care as soon as the plan begins.
- The drawback of Sharp is you'll also have to use the company's medical center to get coverage.
Blue Cross of California: Best for flexibility about your doctors
Blue Cross of California is the best health insurance in California if you want the most choices about where you go for medical care.
In California, there are two different Blue Cross companies offering plans. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and Blue Shield of California both have affordable rates and you'll get access to a large network of doctors and hospitals with either company.
The best Blue Cross company for you depends on where you live. Anthem has the most affordable rates for 12% of Californians, including many rural areas. Blue Cross of California has the cheapest coverage for one in 10 California residents.
Anthem and Blue Shield of California both score three out of five stars from Covered California. That means BCBS customers in California are generally satisfied with their coverage.
Average cost of health insurance in California
For 2026, California health insurance costs an average of $728 per month at full price or an estimated $261 per month if you qualify for discounts.
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- Health insurance costs more as you get older. A 60-year-old in California pays more than twice as much for health insurance as a 40-year-old, on average. Rates can increase quickly as you age because insurance companies expect you'll need more medical care as you get older.
- It's cheaper to get a plan with less coverage. In California, a Bronze plan costs about $101 less per month than a Silver plan, but you'll pay more when you get medical care. The best level of coverage for you usually depends on how much medical care you think you'll need. For example, a cheaper Bronze plan may be a good choice if you're healthy and only go to the doctor a few times per year.
Health insurance discount changes in California for 2026
Health insurance costs $728 in California, or roughly $261 per month, on average if you get discounts because of your income.
After you get discounts, called subsidies or premium tax credits, average rates will still rise from about $151 in 2025 to $261 in 2026. That's because the subsidies you can get will get smaller in 2026.
Between 2021 and 2025, you could get larger discounts, called "expanded subsidies" that significantly lowered the cost of ACA health insurance bought through HealthCare.gov or your state health exchange. These extra discounts will go away in 2026.
Keep in mind, you can still get discounts for marketplace health plans. But these subsidies won't be as generous as in previous years.
Health insurance rates in California after subsidies (2025 vs. 2026)
Income | 2025 rate | 2026 rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $0 | $155 | N/A |
| $40,000 | $49 | $287 | 486% |
| $50,000 | $154 | $415 | 169% |
| $60,000 | $283 | $498 | 76% |
| $70,000 | $423 | $570 | 35% |
Average cost after subsidies for a single 40-year-old with a Benchmark Silver plan.
- Who qualifies: Typically, you can get discounted health insurance if you make between $15,650 and $62,600 as an individual ($32,150 to $128,600 for a family of four).
- How it works: You'll see what premium tax credits, often called subsidies, you're eligible for when shopping for marketplace coverage on Covered California. When you buy your plan, you can choose to have your subsidies applied directly to your monthly rate, or you can pay full cost for your plan and get your subsidies all at once when you file your taxes.
- How much you'll pay: Use the health insurance subsidy calculator for an estimate of how much you'll pay based on your income.
Average cost of health insurance by CA county
Los Angeles County has the cheapest health insurance costs in California, at $530 per month, on average.
The average cost of health insurance in California differs by up to $535 per month, depending on the county you live in. Remember, health insurance companies can choose which counties they sell coverage in. Counties with more people tend to have more companies and more competition, which leads to lower prices.
Other factors, including how healthy people are in your area and local healthcare costs, can also influence rates.
Average cost of health insurance by California county for 2026
County | Average cost of health insurance |
|---|---|
| Alameda | $762 |
| Alpine | $815 |
| Amador | $762 |
| Butte | $815 |
| Calaveras | $815 |
Cheapest Silver plan with rates for a 40-year-old
Cheap California health insurance plans by city
Where you live in California affects your plan options.
Cheapest health insurance plans by CA county for 2026
County | Cheapest plan | Monthly rates |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda | Kaiser Permanente Silver 70 HMO | $649 |
| Alpine | Anthem Blue Cross Silver 70 EPO | $791 |
| Amador | Kaiser Permanente Silver 70 HMO | $656 |
| Butte | Anthem Blue Cross Silver 70 EPO | $791 |
| Calaveras | Anthem Blue Cross Silver 70 EPO | $791 |
Cheapest Silver plan with rates for a 40-year-old
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Best health insurance by level of coverage
The best health insurance coverage for you depends on how much medical care you expect to need.
Silver plans are popular and tend to be good for most people because they balance affordable monthly costs with good coverage.
Platinum plans: Best if you need expensive medical care
| Platinum plans pay for about 90% of your medical care. |
Platinum health plans cost an average of $1,132 per month in California.
Platinum plans have the best coverage and will pay for most of your medical bills.
If you have a chronic illness or need expensive treatments, it may be worth it to pay the high rate for a Platinum plan. That's because you could save more on doctor bills than the extra cost you'd spend on insurance.
Gold plans: Best if you need medical care often
| Gold plans pay for about 80% of your medical care. |
Gold plans cost an average of $843 per month in California.
Gold plans are a step down from Platinum plans. If you want a high level of coverage for a lower cost, a Gold-level policy is a good option.
Typically, it's worth it to pay for a Gold plan if you need ongoing medical care or are managing a chronic health condition, such as heart disease.
The plan's full benefits will begin right away, without needing to meet a deductible. That will help you avoid high medical costs when getting treatment or seeing specialists.
Silver plans: Best if you have average medical needs
| Silver plans pay for about 70% of your medical care. |
A Silver plan costs an average of $728 per month in California.
Silver plans are the most popular option in California, and they're good for most people who expect to need an average amount of medical care.
A Silver plan's coverage is in the middle between Bronze and Gold. The plans balance how much you pay each month with how much you have to pay for medical care.
Bronze plans: Best if you're healthy and have savings to pay for an emergency
| Bronze plans pay for about 60% of your medical care. |
Bronze plans cost an average of $627 per month before discounts in CA.
If you are generally healthy and don't need to see a doctor often, a Bronze plan can help you save money on monthly rates but still have coverage for serious injuries or illnesses, such as a cancer diagnosis.
However, when choosing a Bronze plan, it's good to have enough savings to cover the Bronze plan's deductible so you'll be prepared for an emergency. That's because you could still have high medical bills before you reach the plan's out-of-pocket maximum.
Catastrophic plans: Best for emergency situations
Catastrophic plans cost an average of $453 per month in California.
Catastrophic plans have the cheapest average quotes of any plan tier, but they also have high deductibles. These plans aren't designed to cover typical medical care and are instead used as a safety net if you have a major illness or injury. That's because you'll have to pay $10,600 for your medical care before most of the plan's benefits kick in.
You can only get a Catastrophic plan if you're under age 30 or meet the criteria of having financial hardship. However, in most cases, you'll get a better deal by getting a Bronze plan and using subsidies to discount your rates.
Cheap or free health insurance plans in California if you have a low income
California's Medicaid program and what's called the cost-sharing reduction (CSR) program are two ways to make medical care affordable if you have a low income.
Complete an application on Covered California to see what programs you're eligible for based on your income.
Medi-Cal: Medicaid in California
California's Medicaid program, called Medi-Cal, is the best way to get free health insurance and free medical care if you have a low income.
- To qualify for Medicaid, you usually have to make less than about $22,000 per year as a single person or less than about $44,000 as a family of four.
- Depending on your income, your children may qualify for free health insurance through Medi-Cal even if you don't.
Use cost-sharing reductions for cheaper medical care
If you earn too much to qualify for Medi-Cal, you can get cheap medical care by choosing a Silver health insurance plan.
- A Silver health insurance plan will pay for most of your medical costs if you qualify for cost-sharing reductions. You can qualify if you make up to about $39,000 as a single person or $80,000 as a family of four.
- Cost-sharing reductions are automatically applied if you're eligible. On Covered California, you'll see these plans listed as "Silver CSR" and marked in green that they have "extra savings."
- If you qualify for cost-sharing reductions, you'll also usually qualify for subsidies to get cheap health insurance plans. This means you could get very good coverage for less than about $25 per month.
Are health insurance rates going up in CA in 2026?
Health insurance costs in California rose by an average of 8% between 2025 and 2026.
Platinum plans had the largest average increase, at 12%. Silver plans got 11% more expensive, on average. Gold and Bronze plans went up by an average of 10%. The cost of an average Catastrophic plan fell by 2%. Since 2022, the cost of a Silver plan in California has increased by 36%.
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Platinum
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $463 | – |
| 2026 | $453 | -2% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Bronze
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $463 | – |
| 2026 | $453 | -2% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Silver
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $439 | – |
| 2023 | $470 | 7% |
| 2024 | $524 | 12% |
| 2025 | $572 | 9% |
| 2026 | $627 | 10% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old. Expanded Bronze plans are included in 2025 and 2026 averages, when they're offered.
Gold
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $537 | – |
| 2023 | $541 | 1% |
| 2024 | $600 | 11% |
| 2025 | $656 | 9% |
| 2026 | $728 | 11% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Platinum
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $616 | – |
| 2023 | $632 | 3% |
| 2024 | $711 | 12% |
| 2025 | $763 | 7% |
| 2026 | $843 | 10% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Why is health insurance expensive in CA in 2026?
Marketplace health insurance plans in California have gotten more expensive because of increasing medical costs, expiring tax credits and tariffs.
Expiring tax credits are a part of the price increases, even for people who don't get discounts. That's because healthier people are more likely to go without coverage if health insurance gets more expensive. People who are in worse health will be less likely to drop their plan, driving up the cost of coverage.
Other factors contributing to price increases include widespread adoption of weight loss drugs such as Wegovy and Ozempic, higher labor costs, more expensive prescription drugs and general inflation.
Lower your medical costs in 2026 with these helpful tips
- Compare quotes from multiple companies to get the best rates. Switching from the most expensive to the cheapest Silver health insurance plan in California would save you $706 per month.
- Choosing a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) will typically mean you'll pay a lower monthly rate. But, it's important to remember you should only get an HDHP if you're in good health and you can comfortably afford to pay for your deductible from your savings.
- If you earn a low income, you may be eligible for free government health insurance, called Medi-Cal.
Covered California is the marketplace where you can shop for health insurance. It's California's version of HealthCare.gov.
Also called "Obamacare" plans, all marketplace plans provide the 10 essential health benefits required by the ACA, including covering prescriptions, pregnancy and mental health.
- You won't pay more for a plan because of your health history.
- You can't be turned down for coverage because you have a health condition.
- As soon as the plan begins, you'll get free preventive care, checkups and birth control.
- All plans cap your medical costs to help you avoid medical debt if you get very sick or badly injured.
Average cost of CA health insurance plans by family size
You'll pay more for a health insurance plan that covers more people than you would for individual coverage. In California, the average cost of health insurance for a family of four is $2,329 per month, before discounts.
Family size | Average monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Individual | $728 |
| Individual and Child | $1,165 |
| Couple | $1,457 |
| Family of three | $1,893 |
| Family of four | $2,329 |
Averages based on a Silver plan for 40-year-old adults and children who are under age 15.
COBRA health insurance plans in California
The average cost of a COBRA health insurance plan in California is $718 per month.
- What is COBRA? COBRA insurance lets you keep the health insurance plan you had through your job after you stop working for the company or are no longer eligible for insurance.
- Is COBRA the best deal? COBRA is usually expensive. That's because you're paying the full cost of your health insurance plan rather than splitting the cost with your employer. In most cases, it's cheaper to get health insurance through Covered California than to sign up for COBRA health insurance. When you shop on Covered California, you'll be able to get discounted rates based on your income.
Short-term health insurance plans in California
Short-term health plans are not sold in California. This type of plan does not have to follow the rules of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and was banned in 2018 by California lawmakers.
The best way to get short-term health insurance coverage in California is to shop for a regular health insurance plan on Covered California.
You can use Covered California for temporary coverage by canceling the plan whenever you want, such as if you get insurance through a job or become eligible for Medi-Cal.
Your Covered California plan will usually start the first of the month after you sign up or at the beginning of the new year. The policy will usually end on the last day of the month you cancel.
- During open enrollment (Nov. 1, 2025, to Jan. 31, 2026)
- Any time of the year if your circumstances have changed such as losing other health insurance, moving or a change in household size
Student health insurance plans
If you are a college student, you can get individual health insurance through Covered California. But you may have other options for getting health insurance.
- Stay on your parents' plan: You have the option to stay covered under your parents' health insurance policy until you turn 26. This is typically the cheapest way for you to get health insurance.
- Buy a student health plan: Some colleges offer their own health insurance plans, although they may not cover medical care you receive off campus. And you could lose your coverage if you become a part-time student or transfer schools. Each student plan is different, so make sure you understand what is covered.
Health insurance enrollment by income level in California
Expiring health insurance tax credits will have a larger impact on individuals who earn a low income than other groups.
That's because most of the people who buy health insurance on Covered California make a lower income. For example, in California in 2025, more than half of all people with marketplace coverage made $37,650 or less per year.
Enrollment by income
Income | % of total enrollment |
|---|---|
| Less than $15,060 | 1% |
| $15,060 to $20,783 | 2% |
| $20,784 to $22,590 | 12% |
| $22,591 to $30,120 | 27% |
| $30,121 to $37,650 | 15% |
Enrollment in 2025 marketplace plans made during the 2024-2025 Open Enrollment period. Total may not be 100% due to rounding
Frequently asked questions
What is the best health insurance plan in California?
Kaiser Permanente is the best health insurance company in California with a five-star rating from HealthCare.gov. Kaiser has the highest possible customer satisfaction and plans with great medical benefits. A cheap Silver plan can cost $471 per month before discounts.
Is $200 a month expensive for health insurance in California?
Health insurance that costs $200 per month is a good deal in California. Silver plans typically cost $570 per month for a 21-year-old or $728 per month for a 40-year-old. The best way to get cheap rates is to use health insurance subsidies, which lower the cost of an insurance plan based on your income.
What is the average cost of health insurance in California?
A Silver health plans costs an average of $728 per month for a 40-year-old in California before discounts, also called subsidies. After subsidies, the average cost drops to $261 per month.
How much does health insurance cost in California if you're self-employed?
Typically, health insurance in California costs an estimated $261 per month after discounts when you're self-employed or shopping for a plan on your own. However, rates are adjusted based on your income when you shop on Covered California. If you have a low income, you could pay $10 per month or less. And if you earn too much to qualify for discounts, a health insurance plan costs an average of $728 per month in California.
What is the most affordable health insurance in California?
L.A. Care has the most affordable health insurance in California. A typical Silver plan from L.A. Care costs $392 per month before discounts. That's roughly half the average rate in the state.
Am I eligible for Covered California subsidies if I can get other health insurance?
Yes, you can qualify for health insurance subsidies on Covered California if insurance through a job or family member is expensive or isn't at least as good as a Bronze plan on Covered California. A plan is considered expensive if it costs more than 9.96% of your income.
Are subsidies changing in 2026?
Yes, subsidies are likely to decrease in 2026 because extra discounts are set to expire at the end of 2025. That means health insurance rates after subsidies are applied are estimated to increase by 73%.
Is L.A. Care good insurance?
L.A. Care has the cheapest quotes in California but average quality medical insurance plans. These plans are only available to individuals living in Los Angeles County.
Is Blue Cross leaving California?
No, Blue Cross Blue Shield isn't leaving California. In 2026, Blue Cross of California health insurance is available in all 58 counties of California. A Blue Shield PPO plan is one of the best health insurance options in California because it gives you the most flexibility about your doctors.
Methodology
California health insurance rate data for 2026 is from Covered California state health insurance exchange. ValuePenguin used the state marketplace data to find average rates for different plan tiers, geographic locations and family sizes.
Rates
Rates are based on a 40-year-old with a Silver plan, unless otherwise noted. Rates for Bronze plans include regular and Expanded Bronze plans for 2024, 2025 and 2026, when the plans are available. Your costs and plan options will differ; plans aren't always available in all parts of a state or county.
Subsidies
Rates after subsidies are estimates for a 40-year-old with a Benchmark Silver plan and are based on how subsidies were structured before 2021. Prices are calculated using KFF's rates for full-price Benchmark plans, federal poverty levels (FPLs), IRS rules about premium tax credits and Congressional reports about expanded tax credits. The total cost in the state uses calculated rates by income, which are weighted using CMS data on the incomes of those who bought plans during last year's open enrollment. The median was used for each income range. Unknown incomes were excluded from the calculations. Incomes of 100% of the federal poverty line and 500% of the federal poverty line were assumed for enrollees who earn less than 100% FPL and more than 500% FPL, respectively. Information about state subsidies, when available, was sourced from state marketplaces.
Ratings
ValuePenguin's experts rank companies based on cost, coverage options, customer satisfaction and unique value. Ratings are out of 100 possible points. ACA ratings show how the company performs in California for medical care, member experience and plan administration. This 2026 plan quality data from CMS is based on data from last year. Ratings are not available for new plans or plans with low enrollment.
More sources
Enrollment trends, including plan selections by tier and enrollment by income, are from CMS data for the 2025 open enrollment period.
Other sources include S&P Global Capital IQ and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
Senior Writer
Talon Abernathy is a ValuePenguin Senior Writer who specializes in health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. He's also contributed to other insurance verticals including home, renters, auto, motorcycle and flood insurance.
Talon came to ValuePenguin in 2023. Since his arrival, he's helped to expand the site's health insurance-related content offerings. He enjoys helping readers understand the ins and outs of America's all too complicated health insurance landscape.
Before coming to ValuePenguin, Talon worked as a freelance writer. His prior work has touched on a broad range of personal finance-related topics including credit-building strategies, small business incorporation tactics and creative ways to save for retirement.
Insurance tip
In many parts of the country, you can qualify for a free Silver health insurance plan if you meet certain income requirements. Government subsidies in the form of premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions may mean you'll pay nothing for coverage.
Expertise
- Health insurance
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Flood insurance
- Homeowners insurance
- Renters insurance
- Auto and motorcycle insurance
Referenced by
- The Miami Herald
- Money.com
- MSN
- Nasdaq
- The Sacramento Bee
- Yahoo! Finance
Education
- BA, University of Washington
- Certificate in Copyediting, UC San Diego
Editorial note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
