Multiple Sources · 52 states
States With Most Affordable Hospital Care
States with the most affordable hospital care tend to be in the South and Midwest, where lower labor costs, more competitive hospital markets, and lower costs of living combine to reduce procedure prices. However, lower prices don't always mean better access -- rural areas in these states may have limited hospital options, requiring patients to travel long distances. The relationship between cost and quality is complex: some of the cheapest hospitals deliver excellent outcomes, while some of the most expensive provide mediocre care. Hospital cost transparency has become a major policy priority, with federal regulations now requiring hospitals to publish pricing data.
Key Findings
- 1Puerto Rico leads with a average hospital payment of $10,336, followed by West Virginia ($11,835) and Mississippi ($12,292).
- 2Massachusetts ranks last at $21,636, while Puerto Rico leads at $10,336.
- 3The national median across all states is $15,003 (Georgia at the midpoint).
- 4The top 10 states are: Puerto Rico, West Virginia, Mississippi, Iowa, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Nebraska, Montana, Alabama, Arkansas.
Full Ranking: States With Most Affordable Hospital Care
Source: Census ACS 5-Year Estimates
| # | State | Avg Payment | Hospitals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | $13,165 | 30 |
| 2 | Wisconsin | $14,497 | 142 |
| 3 | West Virginia | $11,835 | 55 |
| 4 | Washington | $17,541 | 100 |
| 5 | Virginia | $17,397 | 95 |
| 6 | Vermont | $15,274 | 17 |
| 7 | Utah | $15,877 | 51 |
| 8 | Texas | $15,897 | 465 |
| 9 | Tennessee | $14,163 | 122 |
| 10 | South Dakota | $13,386 | 61 |
| 11 | South Carolina | $14,688 | 66 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | $18,442 | 13 |
| 13 | Puerto Rico | $10,336 | 61 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $16,898 | 188 |
| 15 | Oregon | $16,874 | 62 |
| 16 | Oklahoma | $12,911 | 135 |
| 17 | Ohio | $14,858 | 196 |
| 18 | North Dakota | $14,386 | 47 |
| 19 | North Carolina | $14,777 | 120 |
| 20 | New York | $21,448 | 190 |
| 21 | New Mexico | $14,678 | 45 |
| 22 | New Jersey | $20,736 | 79 |
| 23 | New Hampshire | $16,578 | 28 |
| 24 | Nevada | $16,777 | 46 |
| 25 | Nebraska | $13,235 | 93 |
| 26 | Montana | $13,252 | 63 |
| 27 | Missouri | $13,821 | 121 |
| 28 | Mississippi | $12,292 | 106 |
| 29 | Minnesota | $14,886 | 136 |
| 30 | Michigan | $14,885 | 148 |
| 31 | Massachusetts | $21,636 | 84 |
| 32 | Maryland | $18,626 | 56 |
| 33 | Maine | $15,047 | 36 |
| 34 | Louisiana | $14,492 | 161 |
| 35 | Kentucky | $13,644 | 102 |
| 36 | Kansas | $13,528 | 138 |
| 37 | Iowa | $12,512 | 118 |
| 38 | Indiana | $13,977 | 150 |
| 39 | Illinois | $16,459 | 194 |
| 40 | Idaho | $13,935 | 48 |
| 41 | Hawaii | $20,551 | 24 |
| 42 | Georgia | $15,003 | 148 |
| 43 | Florida | $16,859 | 222 |
| 44 | District of Columbia | $20,781 | 10 |
| 45 | Delaware | $16,693 | 13 |
| 46 | Connecticut | $18,954 | 37 |
| 47 | Colorado | $16,841 | 97 |
| 48 | California | $21,491 | 378 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $13,359 | 90 |
| 50 | Arizona | $16,036 | 106 |
| 51 | Alaska | $20,163 | 25 |
| 52 | Alabama | $13,264 | 102 |
Methodology
Rankings are based on American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates from the US Census Bureau. All 50 states and the District of Columbia are included. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and provides detailed demographic, social, economic, and housing data. 5-Year estimates offer the most reliable data for state-level comparisons by averaging responses over a 60-month period. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Puerto Rico has the highest average hospital payment at $10,336, according to latest Census ACS data. West Virginia and Mississippi round out the top three.
Massachusetts has the lowest average hospital payment at $21,636. California is second-lowest at $21,491.
The median across all 52 states is $15,003. Note that the national median and the state-level median are calculated differently, the state median represents the midpoint when all states are ranked.
This data comes from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates published by the US Census Bureau. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and provides the most comprehensive demographic data available between decennial censuses.
Rankings are based on the latest available Census ACS 5-Year estimates. The Census Bureau releases new ACS data annually. Our data was last updated on April 12, 2026.
Rankings are based on American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates from the US Census Bureau. All 50 states and the District of Columbia are included. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and provides detailed demographic, social, economic, and housing data. 5-Year estimates offer the most reliable data for state-level comparisons by averaging responses over a 60-month period. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.