Study: Wyoming rated in top 10 states with highest health care costs

POWELL —  Wyoming has been rated the eighth worst state for health care costs in the United States, according to a new study. 

Health care expenses vary dramatically depending on where people live. While national spending continues to rise, factors such as insurance premiums, deductibles, medical debt, and skipped care can differ widely across states. 

For many Americans, these costs shape everyday health care decisions, including whether to visit a doctor or delay expensive treatment altogether. 

A new study from Legacy Healing Center, which specializes in addiction treatment, analyzed health care affordability across the country using 10 metrics, including insurance premiums, deductibles, per-capita health care spending, and the share of residents carrying medical debt. 

By combining these indicators, researchers ranked the states where residents face the highest financial burden when it comes to health care. 

Alaska, West Virginia and Maine top the chart. 

Alaska ran away with the most expensive state for health care, partly based on a per capita expenditure average of $13,642. 

In Wyoming, the cost per capita is $11,320. 

Wyoming has one of the highest rates of residents with medical debt, with nearly 20% of residents carrying a heavy load. Wyoming also has a high average annual family deductible. 

Colorado, which came in at No. 5 highest medical costs, was the only other western state included in the top 10. 

The study ranked U.S. states with the highest health care costs using 10 weighted metrics: per-capita health care spending (20%), average annual family-coverage premium (12%), average individual silver-plan premium (10%), average annual single-coverage premium (10%), people with medical debt (10%), average annual family deductible (8%), average annual plus-one coverage premium (6%), average annual single-coverage deductible (6%), adults who skipped doctor visits due to cost (5%), and families struggling with children’s medical bills (3%). 

All metrics were scaled, weighted and combined to produce a total score for each state. 

Hawaii, which was named as the least expensive state for health care, scored 7.55 on the scale while Alaska (the highest) had a final score of 56.86. 

Wyoming finished with a score of 44.53. 

Those who are thinking about moving to Hawaii to take advantage of the low health care rate should keep in mind that Hawaii is consistently ranked as the most expensive state to live in as of 2026, with a cost of living roughly 80%-90% higher than the national average. It has the highest housing costs, extremely high electricity bills, and elevated prices for groceries and goods, driven by shipping costs.