How much is renters insurance?

The average cost of renters insurance is $263 a year, or about $22 a month. That’s the national average for a policy with $40,000 of personal property coverage, a $1,000 deductible and $300,000 of liability protection, according to our most recent rate analysis. 

Renters insurance rates increase as you add more coverage, but some coverages cost more than others.  

How much is renters insurance for $100,000 in liability coverage?

Here’s how a $100,000 renters insurance policy compares to a $300,000 renters insurance policy. You’ll see that when you increase your tenant liability insurance coverage, the increase in cost is minimal. These renters insurance prices all have a $1,000 deductible:

  • $20,000 property/$100,000 liability: $177
  • $40,000 property/$100,000 liability: $246
  • $60,000 property/$100,000 liability: $315

How much is renters insurance for $300,000 liability coverage?

  • $20,000 property/$300,000 liability: $193
  • $40,000 property/$300,000 liability: $263
  • $60,000 property/$300,000 liability: $333

Renters insurance costs at a glance

How much does renters insurance cost on average? We've put together an overview of renters insurance costs below, from the most and least expensive states to the insurance company with the cheapest renters insurance rates.

Renters insurance costs
Renters insurance rate typeAverage renters insurance rate
Annual renters insurance cost - national$263 a year
Renters insurance cost per month - national$22 a month
State with the most expensive renters insuranceLouisiana - $504 a year
State with the least expensive renters insuranceWyoming - $136 a year
Cheapest renters insurance companyState Farm - $195 a year
Data updated in 2024
Read our methodology

Renters insurance cost by company

Shopping around for renters insurance coverage with multiple renters insurance companies is the best way to get a great deal. USAA is the cheapest at $191 a year, but is only open to military members. State Farm is second-cheapest at $195 a year on average. Here are some average annual renters insurance rates by company:

CompanyAverage annual rate
USAA*$191
State Farm$195
Progressive$215
Auto-Owners$223
Allstate$272
American Family$274
Erie Insurance$279
Nationwide$297
Farmers$325
Travelers$421
Data updated in 2024
Read our methodology

Renters insurance cost by liability coverage

Here is the breakdown by company for $40,000 in personal property coverage, $1,000 deductible and two different levels of liability coverage. State Farm is the cheapest at either coverage level, unless you qualify for USAA.

Company$100,000 in liability coverage$300,000 in liability coverage
USAA*$173$191
State Farm$184$195
Progressive$201$215
Auto-Owners$218$223
Allstate$245$272
American Family$257$274
Erie Insurance$253$279
Nationwide$285$297
Farmers$300$325
Travelers$387$421
Data updated in 2024
Read our methodology

* USAA is only available to military members and their families.

Renters insurance cost calculator

What you pay for renters insurance will depend on factors like your credit history, where you live, and the amount of coverage you need. Whether you need apartment insurance or tenant insurance for a single-family home, calculating the cost of renters insurance is easy. The renters insurance calculator below will show you your state's most and least expensive ZIP codes.

To get a personalized renters insurance quote, enter your ZIP code and choose a personal property, deductible, and liability limit.

Renters insurance calculator

Average renters insurance rates in Texas
Please enter valid zip code
$20,000
$20,000 $40,000 $60,000
$100,000
$100,000 $300,000
$500
$1,000 $500

Most & least expensive ZIP codes for renters insurance in Texas

Most expensive

ZIP codeCityHighest rate
78368Mathis$264
77014Houston$264
77444Guy$263
77374Thicket$262

Least expensive

ZIP codeCityLowest rate
75070McKinney$183
78132New Braunfels$183
75072McKinney$183
75013Allen$183
Data updated in 2024
Read our methodology

How much is renters insurance in your state?

The cost of renters insurance by state varies. Compared to the national average of $263 for apartment renters insurance, Louisiana, Rhode Island and Mississippi are the most expensive, at between $387 and $504 a year. Wyoming is the cheapest, at $136 a year.

Below are the average rental insurance costs by state so you know what to expect. Rates are for personal property coverage of $20,000, $40,000, and $60,000, liability limits of $100,000 and $300,000, and a $1,000 deductible.

State
$20,000/$100,000 liability
$40,000/$100,000 liability $40,000/$300,000 liability $60,000/$300,000 liability
Alaska$181$233$257$308
Alabama$225$310$324$411
Arkansas$247$346$363$464
Arizona$170$237$260$327
California$205$253$271$322
Colorado$135$175$191$232
Connecticut$187$265$292$370
Washington, D.C.$204$260$272$373
Delaware$131$170$181$243
Florida$159$230$248$324
Georgia$222$334$352$459
Hawaii$151$231$247$329
Iowa$132$188$203$257
Idaho$127$169$184$225
Illinois$170$227$246$300
Indiana$176$249$269$344
Kansas$167$238$251$322
Kentucky$136$193$207$260
Louisiana$316$472$504$675
Massachusetts$159$244$262$358
Maryland$172$243$256$335
Maine$125$174$190$243
Michigan$230$323$340$433
Minnesota$157$203$211$256
Missouri$150$210$231$285
Mississippi$250$367$387$511
Montana$181$256$275$354
North Carolina$172$323$332$455
North Dakota$122$173$190$240
Nebraska$193$266$279$351
New Hampshire$118$160$173$215
New Jersey$134$190$207$267
New Mexico$146$191$201$244
Nevada$179$233$246$304
New York$217$276$293$362
Ohio$167$231$252$317
Oklahoma$187$266$281$352
Oregon$195$266$287$358
Pennsylvania$171$249$274$362
Rhode Island$413$473$479$538
South Carolina$193$272$294$375
South Dakota$133$188$202$257
Tennessee$196$272$290$370
Texas$143$214$226$293
Utah$139$183$200$241
Virginia$161$217$235$298
Vermont$133$166$182$227
Washington$151$205$222$276
Wisconsin$111$153$167$211
West Virginia$165$231$248$309
Wyoming$105$126$136$162
Data updated in 2024
Read our methodology

Most expensive states for renters insurance

Renters insurance is most expensive in Louisiana at $504 a year, followed by Rhode Island at $479. The five states with the most expensive renters insurance coverage are: 

StateAnnual cost
Louisiana$504
Rhode Island$479
Mississippi$387
Arkansas$363
Georgia$352
Data updated in 2024
Read our methodology

Least expensive states for renters insurance

The cheapest state for renters insurance is Wyoming at $136 a year, followed by Wisconsin at $167. The five states with the least expensive renters insurance coverage are: 

StateAnnual cost
Wyoming$136
Wisconsin$167
New Hampshire$173
Delaware$181
Vermont$182
Data updated in 2024
Read our methodology

How much is renters insurance by city?

The cost of renters insurance also varies by city. Rates range from $203 a year in Austin, Texas, to $407 a year in New York City. Here is what you can expect to pay in some key cities across the U.S. 

CityAverage annual premiumAverage monthly premium
Austin, Texas$203$17
Charlotte, North Carolina$289$24
Chicago, Illinois$286$24
Columbus, Ohio$251$21
Dallas, Texas$227$19
Denver, Colorado$204$17
Fort Worth, Texas$223$19
Houston, Texas$268$22
Indianapolis, Indiana$301$25
Jacksonville, Florida$253$21
Los Angeles, California$324$27
New York, New York$407$34
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma$295$25
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania$406$34
Phoenix, Arizona$279$23
San Antonio, Texas$237$20
San Diego, California$223$19
San Francisco, California$316$26
San Jose, California$308$26
Seattle, Washington$239$20
Data updated in 2024
Read our methodology

How much is renters insurance per month?

Renters insurance starts at an average of around $22 a month, depending on the coverage. Here are monthly renters insurance quotes for various coverage levels and deductibles.

CoverageAvg renters insurance per month
$20,000, $100,000 liability, $500 deductible$16
$20,000, $300,000 liability, $500 deductible$17
$20,000, $100,000 liability, $1,000 deductible$15
$20,000, $300,000 liability, $1,000 deductible$16
$40,000, $100,000 liability, $500 deductible$22
$40,000, $300,000 liability, $500 deductible$24
$40,000, $100,000 liability, $1,000 deductible$20
$40,000, $300,000 liability, $1,000 deductible$22
$60,000, $100,000 liability, $500 deductible$29
$60,000, $300,000 liability, $500 deductible$30
$60,000, $100,000 liability, $1,000 deductible$26
$60,000, $300,000 liability, $1,000 deductible$28
Data updated in 2024
Read our methodology

Factors that affect the cost of renters insurance

Renters insurance rates are affected by a few main factors:

  • Location. Where you live impacts rates due to factors like weather and crime.
  • Coverage. Personal property coverage has the biggest impact on rates, but personal liability coverage also has some impact on what you pay. Your deductible will also affect your cost.
  • Claims history. If you have filed previous claims, it will affect your rates, while being claim free earns a discount.
  • Credit history. In most states, it's legal to use your credit history when calculating rates; poor credit means higher rates.
  • Company. Renters insurance rates vary by company.

How to lower your renters insurance premium

The best way to get cheaper rates is to shop around and compare renters insurance quotes from multiple companies. You can also try these tips to save money on your renters insurance policy:

  • Raise your deductible. You'll pay less in monthly premiums if you have a higher deductible; just be sure you can afford it if you need to file a renters insurance claim.
  • Bundle your renters and auto insurance policies. You'll save money if you buy your renters insurance policy from the same company as your auto insurance; most insurance providers offer a discount on both policies when you bundle.
  • Ask about discounts. Insurance companies offer renters insurance discounts for things like security systems.

How to get a renters insurance estimate

To get the right coverage at the best price, prepare before you buy with the following steps:

  1. Create an inventory of your personal items. List the items and their purchase price. While big-ticket items are important to note, don’t forget things like linens, dishes, and clothing; the cost to replace them can really add up. This total is what you need for personal property coverage.
  2. Choose replacement cost coverage. Standard policies include actual cash value (depreciated) coverage, but the upgrade to replacement cost is worth it. Replacement cost coverage policies cover the actual cost of replacing your possessions rather than a depreciated value. That means your renters insurance will cover your 10-year-old TV at the cost of buying a comparable brand-new TV today.
  3. Choose a deductible. Deductibles usually range from $500 to $2,500. This is the amount you pay out before your policy kicks in to pay for the repair or replacement of your belongings. The higher your deductible is, the lower your rate will be, but the trade-off is that you have to pay that amount when you file a claim before your policy pays out. For most tenants, a $500 or $1,000 deductible on apartment rental insurance is recommended.
  4. Decide how much liability insurance you want. Liability insurance protects you if you’re liable for injuries or damages and will even provide legal assistance if you’re sued. $100,000 is the common choice for renters insurance, but it costs very little to triple the protection to $300,000.
  5. Compare quotes. Make sure to compare renters insurance quotes from several companies. Use the same coverage levels for every quote so you can compare renters insurance rates on an apples-to-apples basis. Remember to check company ratings—the cheapest isn’t always the best.

Average renters insurance cost: The bottom line

As we’ve made clear, the cost of renters insurance depends on several factors, including how much coverage you need and where you live. A basic policy costs around $22 a month.

Because renters insurance rates don’t go up all that much when you increase coverage, it’s always best to overestimate your needs than to find yourself underinsured. And because rates vary by company, you might get more coverage from one insurer at the same price as a lower-coverage policy from another. Shop around and compare companies to find the best coverage at the best price.

Methodology

Insurance.com commissioned renters insurance rates in 2023 from Quadrant Data Services. Rates were fielded in all ZIP codes with personal property coverage ranging from $20,000 to $60,000, liability at $100,000 and $300,000 and deductibles of either $500 or $1,000. Content is updated for 2024.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest renters insurance company?

The company that offers the cheapest renters insurance rates will depend on where you live, your particular renter profile and how much coverage you buy.

According to Insurance.com’s rate data, the cheapest renters insurance is State Farm at $195 a year for $40,000 in property coverage with $300,000 in liability.

How much is renters insurance for an apartment?

The average cost of renters insurance for an apartment is $22 a month, or $263 a year. Living in an apartment vs. a house doesn't really affect the cost of insurance, since the building itself isn't covered. Apartment insurance is simply renters insurance, and apartment liability insurance coverage doesn't differ, either. However, security elements in an apartment building can make a difference to your rates.