Rent, taxes, the price for a gallon of milk — all of these are cost-of-living factors that change depending on where you live. There are plenty of calculators online that help you compare your living expenses once you’ve moved from one city to another, but what about your car insurance? In 2025, typical full-coverage premiums for a good driver land in the mid-$2,000s nationally, with roughly a 2.5–3x spread between the lowest- and highest-cost states — and large metro premiums can differ by thousands of dollars (Bankrate; ValuePenguin; Insurify). Premium inflation has moderated from the 2023–2024 spike but remains elevated relative to pre-2020 norms, per the BLS motor vehicle insurance CPI.
To help answer this, we studied how location impacts auto insurance rates for drivers age 23 to 35, using pricing information from the biggest insurers in every state, provided by Quadrant Information Services, the leading industry authority on insurance rates. We also benchmarked against the latest official historical averages from the NAIC Auto Insurance Database Report (lagged) and layered in current 2025 shopper datasets from Bankrate, ValuePenguin, and Insurify to reflect today’s city and state price levels.
We also looked at the top U.S. cities millennials are moving to (according to the National Association of Realtors), mapped that information to the Quadrant-provided car insurance data, and asked three experts why location matters when insurance companies calculate risk and what you can do to keep your rate down. To reflect current patterns, we supplemented those city lists with recent indicators from the Redfin Migration Data Center, the U.S. Census Bureau, and NAR’s Generational Trends report.
Car Insurance Rates by City
Recent migration data show elevated cross-metro interest: roughly one-quarter of Redfin.com users in 2024–2025 searched for homes outside their current metro, a near-record share — with millennials driving much of this affordability-driven relocation (Redfin Migration Data Center). Millennials also represented the largest share of recent homebuyers in 2024 (about 38%), according to NAR’s Generational Trends report. For historical context on cohort mobility, see Zillow.
And when millennials do move, affordability and job availability are key. Net inflows continue to favor relatively lower-cost Sun Belt and select interior markets, while several high-cost coastal hubs see net outflows. That’s why cities like Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, San Antonio, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Sacramento, Nashville, and Raleigh consistently appear among popular destinations in recent migration analyses (Redfin), alongside state-level gains in Florida and Texas per the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest population and migration estimates.
The following rates are sample sets meant only for general comparison. Your own premium will vary. In 2025, a typical good driver pays around the mid-$2,000s per year for full coverage nationally (Bankrate; ValuePenguin; Insurify). Concrete city/state benchmarks from current datasets illustrate the spread: Miami often runs ~$3,400+, New York City ~$2,800–$3,100, Detroit ~$3,000+, Las Vegas ~$2,500–$2,900, Los Angeles ~$2,700–$2,900, and Denver ~$2,300–$2,500; meanwhile lower-cost metros like Boise or Columbus frequently land near ~$1,400–$1,600 for similar full-coverage profiles (Bankrate; ValuePenguin; Insurify). By state, lower-cost markets like Maine, Vermont, Idaho, New Hampshire, and Ohio commonly average ~$1,200–$1,600, while higher-cost states such as Florida, Louisiana, New York, Nevada, and Michigan often exceed ~$2,500 and can top $3,000 for a good-driver full-coverage profile (sources above). Learn how we tested rates by location in the methodology section at the bottom of the page.
Cities and data sources used
Cities selected from “Most Popular Areas for Millennials: Where They Move and Stay” report by the National Association of Realtors, supplemented with current migration indicators from Redfin and state-level population change from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Historical lists, current validation
Cities selected from “Top 100 Metro Areas for Millennial Home Buyers” report by the National Association of Realtors; current city-level rate examples were cross-checked against 2025 insurer filing/quoting datasets from Bankrate, ValuePenguin, and Insurify.
Generational context
Cities selected from “Top 100 Metro Areas for Millennial Home Buyers” report by the National Association of Realtors. Millennials’ share of recent buyers rebounded in NAR’s 2024 Generational Trends, while net inflows and outflows cited above reflect Redfin and Census 2024–2025 patterns.
How Moving Affects Your Car Insurance
Location — even down to the ZIP code — is a major factor when insurance companies determine your rate. This is all because of risk. Local crash frequency and medical/repair costs, theft hot spots, weather hazards (hail, flooding, hurricanes), and each state’s legal environment shape expected claim costs, so the same driver can pay much more or less across territories. In 2024–2025, urban theft concentrations and a surge in severe convective storm losses (hail and straight-line wind) have kept pressure on premiums in affected regions (NICB; NOAA billion-dollar disasters; Swiss Re sigma). The BLS insurance CPI shows elevated price levels through 2025 versus pre-2020 norms, with variation by state and metro.
“Insurance companies will determine how ‘risky’ your area is by reviewing the frequency and cost of car insurance claims in your ZIP code,” says Daniel Jelley of Shaefer Insurance Agency. “Typically, from there they adjust your cost up or down depending on your driving record, the type of car you drive, your credit history, and your age, among other variables.” This aligns with guidance from the Insurance Information Institute on how location and other factors determine price (III).
Generally, moving from an urban area to a rural area will result in lower premiums, as less density often means a lesser chance of crime, car accidents, or other perils. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true — moving to a big city could translate to higher insurance costs. Regulator comparisons and filed territorial relativities commonly show 1.5x–2.5x swings between higher- and lower-risk territories for otherwise identical drivers — for example, Massachusetts territorial factors and Michigan and Ohio premium comparisons document 100%+ differences by ZIP or city for the same profile (Massachusetts DOI; Michigan DIFS; Ohio DOI).
Zhaneta Gechev, founder of One Stop Life Insurance, says that Las Vegas, Nevada, where her practice is based, has one of the highest insurance rates in the nation. She says that many customers who moved to Las Vegas saw their rates triple, even though they had the same records, vehicles, and policies as before. This variance is widespread, even at the street level. “For example, you could literally move across the street to a new ZIP code and see as much as a 20% difference in your auto insurance rates,” Gechev says. Current consumer datasets continue to rank Las Vegas among higher-cost large metros (Bankrate; ValuePenguin; Insurify).
The higher cost of living in a city isn’t a rule, though. Your rate also depends on your car usage and how many miles you drive, says Lev Barinskiy, CEO of SmartFinancial.com, an insurance policy comparison website based in Costa Mesa, California. “Keep that in mind if you live in a very rural area where you have to drive an hour to get to the local store. This is because the more you drive, the more at-risk you are of getting into an accident.” Usage-based and pay-per-mile programs can further align price with how, when, and how much you drive (III; Progressive Snapshot).
How to Tell Your Insurance Company That You’re Moving
As soon as you move, you’ll need to inform your current car insurance company. You can do this either by calling your agent or your insurance company directly. Jelley says that it’s important to do this sooner than later, as you don’t want to run into any billing issues, like missed car insurance notifications, statements, and payment notices.
More importantly, though, “if you fail to inform your car insurance company about your move and you are in an accident, they may be able to deny claims due to misrepresentation about where you are now living and where your vehicle is garaged,” Jelley says.
Informing your car insurance company of your move may result in a rate change or even a policy rewrite if you have moved to a different state. But the risk of not telling your provider is greater, so make sure to keep it updated on major life moves.
How to Keep Your Car Insurance Rates Down
If you are planning a move you expect will raise your rates, it’s important to be cognizant of what areas are prone to car accidents, auto theft, and moving violations, Gechev says. Living in a neighborhood that is deemed “high-risk” by your insurance company could result in an increase in premiums. Recent research also highlights elevated losses from severe convective storms (hail and straight-line wind) across the central and southern U.S., which can raise comprehensive claim costs for vehicles in those corridors (NOAA; Swiss Re sigma). Theft remains concentrated in specific metros, per NICB.
Insurance companies consider the following factors when measuring risk within a location:
- Severe convective storms (hail and wind) and flood exposure
- Wildfires
- Vehicle theft and vandalism
- Car accidents
- Claims filed
- Traffic
- Population density
- Where you park your car (e.g., garage, street, parking lot)
But those risk factors aren’t the only aspect of location you should take into account. Your daily commute, or lack thereof, also makes a big difference, as you’re more likely to get into a car accident if you’re in your car more often. Jelley suggests moving close to your place of work or school as a potential way to lower your rates. Low annual mileage and careful driving can unlock savings via usage-based programs in many states (III; Allstate Drivewise).
Barinskiy says that you could also get a price break if you keep your car in a garage or lot instead of relying on street parking. Minimizing car use and taking advantage of public transit options could save you in the long run. “Some carriers offer considerable discounts to people who drive less than 7,500 or 5,000 miles a year,” he says. In addition, compare at least 3–5 quotes at renewal or after a move, bundle policies where possible, pay in full to avoid installment fees, and ask about good driver/student and anti-theft discounts (FTC; NY DFS). In some states, approved defensive driving courses reduce premiums — for example, New York’s program provides a 10% liability and PIP reduction for three years (NY DMV PIRP).
If it’s looking like your car insurance rate will increase substantially, you could take this as an opportunity to shop around for a better rate. Check out our review of the best car insurance companies, as well as our car insurance buyer’s guide, for our tips on getting the best deals on your car insurance.
Methodology
We worked with Quadrant Information Services to analyze data on credit-based auto insurance rates in all 50 states. Quadrant provides data on premiums using information insurers are required to file with state insurance departments. We reference the latest official historical benchmark from the NAIC Auto Insurance Database Report (lagged) and cross-check current 2025 levels against consumer market datasets from Bankrate, ValuePenguin, and Insurify; macro pricing context comes from the BLS motor vehicle insurance CPI.
Pricing information shown here includes rates for drivers aged 23, 27, 31, and 35, both male and female, driving a 2017 Toyota Camry with annual mileage of 15,000. All profiles have a clean driving record and include both minimum-liability-only and typical full-coverage scenarios for comparison, consistent with benchmarks cited in 2025 consumer datasets.
We checked rates for the top four to 10 insurers in every state based on market share, with data coming from more than 34,000 ZIP codes across the U.S. These rates are a sample set meant for comparison only. Your own rates will vary, and approved filings can change during the year; regulator comparisons also show that territorial relativities can drive large intra-state differences (Massachusetts DOI; Michigan DIFS; Ohio DOI).
What’s Next?
- Interested in finding out more? Check out our millennial auto insurance report.
- Discover credit history.
- Learn how a DUI or a car accident affects your car insurance.
- Get quotes from our picks for the review of the best car insurance companies.
