Washington Homeowners Pay Some of the Lowest Insurance Costs In The Country

Washington homeowners pay some of the lowest insurance premiums in the country, even as national averages rise in climate-exposed states.

While affordability challenges dominate markets along the Gulf Coast and in wildfire-prone California, new data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the 2025 Climate Risk Report show that Washington households remain relatively well-positioned.

Washington’s Insurance Costs Stay Affordable

According to the American Community Survey (ACS) data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Washington homeowners with a mortgage typically pay $1,000–$1,499 annually for homeowners insurance, while those without a mortgage average the same $1,000–$1,499. Overall statewide costs also fall into the $1,000–$1,499 range.

Washington has 1,992,341 insured homeowner households in total—1,297,548 with a mortgage and 694,793 without. Among mortgaged owners, 109,497 pay less than $100 annually and 67,963 pay $4,000 or more. Among those without a mortgage, 115,071 pay less than $100 and 32,590 pay $4,000 or more.

Compared with nearby states, Washington is among the most affordable. Oregon homeowners also average $1,000–$1,499 regardless of mortgage status. California falls into the same range for mortgaged owners, though far more households there pay above $4,000 annually. Idaho is similarly affordable, averaging $1,000–$1,499 with a mortgage and $800–$999 without. By contrast, Nevada households trend slightly lower overall, averaging $800–$999 for non-mortgaged owners. This places Washington among the most affordable West Coast states for homeowners insurance.

Climate Risks Across the Region

The Climate Risk Report highlights how climate hazards have driven premiums higher in other regions. Miami leads the U.S., with homeowners paying $22,718 annually, or 3.7% of median home value. Other Florida metros such as Cape Coral, Sarasota, and Tampa also rank among the most expensive.

Washington does not appear in the report’s list of metros with the steepest insurance burdens, but wildfire remains a growing concern. Nationally, 5.6% of homes—worth $3.2 trillion—are at severe or extreme wildfire risk, with much of that exposure concentrated in California. Washington’s dry summers and forested landscapes put many communities at risk, though statewide averages remain relatively low. Flooding from heavy rains and snowmelt also poses seasonal challenges.

A National Affordability Challenge

Even though Washington homeowners benefit from lower premiums, insurance affordability is a pressing issue nationwide. The Realtor.com 2025 Insurance Affordability Report found that 75% of Americans believe homeowners insurance could soon become unaffordable, while nearly half said they had already faced challenges renewing or obtaining coverage.

These pressures are already shaping buyer behavior. Nearly 30% of homebuyers said they had completely changed the areas where they were searching due to insurance concerns, while another quarter reported overhauling their strategies altogether. A recent migration analysis shows that some buyers are moving to states with the lowest home insurance premiums, shifting demand across the country.

Even more concerning, 58% of homeowners nationwide said they would consider dropping coverage altogether if premiums rose too high, with younger homeowners especially likely to take that risk.

Washington’s Outlook

For Washington households, low statewide premiums remain a key advantage. Still, with wildfire and flooding risks growing, residents may want to use a home insurance comparison tool to evaluate coverage options. While Washington remains affordable today, insurance costs could rise in the years ahead as climate pressures intensify.

This article was produced with editorial input from Dina Sartore-Bodo, Gabriella Iannetta, and Allaire Conte.