What’s the Average Cost of Life Insurance in New York City, NY in 2025?

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Life insurance rates don’t vary by location because they’re based on personal risk factors rather than geography. Unlike auto or home insurance, where local crime rates, weather patterns, and repair costs influence pricing, life insurance companies focus on age, health, lifestyle, and policy type when determining premiums. A healthy 30-year-old in New York City will likely pay a similar price for coverage as someone in another part of the country.

While your location doesn’t impact your life insurance premiums, state regulations do play a role in how policies are handled. Each state regulates life insurance, so the rules can vary depending on where you live. States set their own guidelines for things like refunds on new policies, grace periods for missed payments, and protections for policyholders and beneficiaries if an insurance company goes out of business. These regulations don’t change the cost of life insurance, but they do impact your rights and the options available to you as a policyholder.

Knowing what type of rates you should expect when shopping for life insurance in New York City can help you make an informed decision when choosing a policy. Here’s what to expect when shopping for life insurance in New York City in 2025.

Average life insurance rates in New York City

Life insurance rates increase as you age and buy more coverage. For example, a healthy 35-year-old female in New York City can expect to pay $475 per year on average, while a healthy 45-year-old female in New York City will pay $880 — a 85% difference. That’s why it’s important to lock in coverage as soon as you think you need it.

Below, you can find life insurance rates for different age groups and coverage types.

How much life insurance costs for $500,000 in coverage

Gender	Age	Average annual premium
Female	25	$405
Male	25	$491
Female	30	$420
Male	30	$506
Female	35	$475
Male	35	$531
Female	40	$595
Male	40	$681
Female	45	$880
Male	45	$975
Female	50	$1,370
Male	50	$1,611
Female	55	$2,055
Male	55	$2,431
Female	60	$3,505
Male	60	$4,516
Female	65	$5,355
Male	65	$8,410

How much life insurance costs for $750,000 in coverage

Gender	Age	Average annual premium
Female	25	$570
Male	25	$704
Female	30	$593
Male	30	$726
Female	35	$675
Male	35	$764
Female	40	$855
Male	40	$989
Female	45	$1,283
Male	45	$1,463
Female	50	$2,018
Male	50	$2,384
Female	55	$3,045
Male	55	$3,614
Female	60	$5,220
Male	60	$6,741
Female	65	$8,033
Male	65	$12,615

How much life insurance costs for $1 million in coverage

Gender	Age	Average annual premium
Female	25	$735
Male	25	$775
Female	30	$765
Male	30	$775
Female	35	$875
Male	35	$875
Female	40	$1,115
Male	40	$1,178
Female	45	$1,685
Male	45	$1,940
Female	50	$2,665
Male	50	$2,920
Female	55	$4,035
Male	55	$4,460
Female	60	$6,935
Male	60	$8,305
Female	65	$10,495
Male	65	$16,470

Why we compared term life insurance rates

Term life insurance is the most straightforward type of coverage. It doesn’t offer any additional features, like a cash value component, making it the most affordable option for most people. Your premium is based on a few key factors — mainly your age, health, coverage amount, and policy length — and stays the same for the entire term.

Whole life insurance, on the other hand, is more complex and comes with a higher price tag. Its cost depends on additional factors like the cash value component, how dividends are handled (if offered), and the long-term financial stability of the policy. While whole life provides lifelong coverage and a savings element, the premiums can be significantly higher and vary based on how the policy is structured.

Term life insurance does what life insurance is intended to do — protect your family’s financial health if you die prematurely. Because term is a good option for most people and offers the most simple, straightforward, and affordable coverage, we chose to evaluate its rates.

When purchasing life insurance, it’s important to speak to a financial advisor to determine what type of coverage is best for you.

Factors that affect life insurance rates

While your location won’t change your life insurance rate much, here’s what will:

Age. The younger you are when you buy a policy, the lower your rates will be.
Health. Your medical history, BMI, and any pre-existing conditions play a big role in pricing.
Tobacco use. Smokers pay significantly higher premiums due to increased health risks.
Policy type. Term life insurance is much cheaper than whole life insurance.
Coverage amount. Higher coverage limits come with higher premiums.
Hobbies and occupation. Dangerous jobs or high-risk hobbies — like skydiving — can lead to higher rates.
Lifestyle choices. Excessive alcohol use, drug use, or poor diet and exercise habits can raise premiums if they contribute to long-term health risks.

How to get the best life insurance rates in New York City

If you want to save on life insurance in New York City, here are a few tips:

Buy early. Rates increase with age, so lock in a policy while young.
Stay healthy. Maintaining a good BMI, avoiding tobacco, and keeping up with medical checkups can help you qualify for lower rates.
Compare quotes. Get quotes from multiple insurers to find the best deal.
Choose term life if affordability is key. Whole life has benefits, but term life offers much more coverage per dollar.

How to buy life insurance in New York City

Buying life insurance is a pretty straightforward process — if you’re in good health, it can all be done from the comfort of your home. You can start by getting online quotes from top insurers or working with an independent insurance agent who can compare multiple policies.

If you buy a policy online, you can find out if your application was approved within minutes. However, depending on the policy and your profile, you may need to take a medical exam.

Once you choose a policy, you’ll typically need to complete an application and possibly a medical exam. Some companies offer no-exam policies, but they tend to be more expensive.

Final thoughts on life insurance rates in New York City

Personal factors influence life insurance rates in New York City more than location. Your age, health, and lifestyle choices impact pricing more than where you live. However, state regulations do shape certain policy rules, such as grace periods and consumer protections.

Finding the right life insurance policy involves comparing options and choosing coverage that fits your needs. By understanding what affects your rates and shopping around for the best deal, you can secure affordable coverage that provides financial security for your loved ones.

Methodology

The average monthly rates presented are based Compulife data of female and male non-smokers in a Preferred health category purchasing a 20-year term life insurance policy with coverage amounts of $500,000, $750,000 and $1 million. Rates differ by insurer, policy term, coverage amount, health classification, and state. Note that not all policies are available in every state.

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Nupur Gambhir

Managing Editor

Nupur Gambhir is an insurance expert and managing editor of Insure.com. She specializes in life and health insurance content, and has experience as a marketing consultant.