The United States is one of only a handful of wealthy, developed nations that does not have universal health care. Still, the United States tops the list of countries that spend the most on public health.
The high health care spending in the United States is due to programs like Medicare and Medicaid, efforts to maintain environmental standards that help keep the air and water clean, state-run hospitals and medical schools, and other smaller community wellness initiatives. All told, state governments spent $630.9 billion on health care in 2016, or $1,957 per person.
Due to different budget priorities and needs, health care spending varies considerably by state.
Using the 2016 Annual Survey of State and Local Finances from the U.S. Census Bureau, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed total health care spending per capita to determine what your state spends on your health. Per-capita health care spending ranges from less than $1,500 in some states to more than $3,000 in others.
In every state, the largest portion of overall health care spending goes towards public welfare programs. These include Medicare and Medicaid, two government-funded health insurance programs that offer coverage to the elderly, the disabled, and other qualifying Americans. Partially because public welfare programs account for such a large share of health care spending — over 80% in half of all states — disabled and retirement-age residents tend to account for a larger than average share of the population in the states spending the most on health care.
On a global scale, greater health care spending appears to drive up overall life expectancy. In the United States, however, the relationship between spending and health outcomes appears to be more complicated, as the states spending the most on health care do not necessarily have the highest average life expectancy. These are the states where people live the longest.
Click here to see what your state spends on your health
Click here to read our methodology
50. South Dakota
> 2016 state health spending: $1,031 per capita ($892.6 million)
> Total 2016 state spending: $5,860 per capita (11th lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 15.9% (23rd highest)
> Population with a disability: 11.6% (15th lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 91.3% (21st lowest)
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
[in-text-ad]
49. Nebraska
> 2016 state health spending: $1,193 per capita ($2.3 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $5,737 per capita (10th lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 15.0% (19th lowest)
> Population with a disability: 12.0% (19th lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 91.4% (22nd lowest)
See all stories featuring: Nebraska
48. Georgia
> 2016 state health spending: $1,204 per capita ($12.4 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $4,606 per capita (2nd lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 13.2% (4th lowest)
> Population with a disability: 12.2% (21st lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 87.1% (4th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Georgia
47. Idaho
> 2016 state health spending: $1,319 per capita ($2.2 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $5,481 per capita (8th lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 15.2% (21st lowest)
> Population with a disability: 14.2% (15th highest)
> Population with health insurance: 89.9% (11th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Idaho
[in-text-ad-2]
46. Nevada
> 2016 state health spending: $1,345 per capita ($4.0 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $5,180 per capita (4th lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 15.0% (19th lowest)
> Population with a disability: 12.2% (21st lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 88.6% (8th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Nevada
45. Florida
> 2016 state health spending: $1,352 per capita ($27.9 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $4,266 per capita (the lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 19.8% (the highest)
> Population with a disability: 13.6% (22nd highest)
> Population with health insurance: 87.5% (5th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Florida
[in-text-ad]
44. North Carolina
> 2016 state health spending: $1,371 per capita ($13.9 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $5,263 per capita (6th lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 15.5% (25th lowest)
> Population with a disability: 13.3% (24th highest)
> Population with health insurance: 89.6% (9th lowest)
See all stories featuring: North Carolina
43. North Dakota
> 2016 state health spending: $1,380 per capita ($1.0 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $10,758 per capita (4th highest)
> Population 65 and older: 14.5% (8th lowest)
> Population with a disability: 10.3% (3rd lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 93.0% (21st highest)
See all stories featuring: North Dakota
42. Illinois
> 2016 state health spending: $1,470 per capita ($18.8 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $6,079 per capita (14th lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 14.6% (11th lowest)
> Population with a disability: 11.1% (9th lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 93.5% (20th highest)
See all stories featuring: Illinois
[in-text-ad-2]
41. Texas
> 2016 state health spending: $1,523 per capita ($42.4 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $5,225 per capita (5th lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 12.0% (3rd lowest)
> Population with a disability: 11.4% (13th lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 83.4% (the lowest)
See all stories featuring: Texas
40. Wyoming
> 2016 state health spending: $1,531 per capita ($896.2 million)
> Total 2016 state spending: $11,023 per capita (2nd highest)
> Population 65 and older: 15.0% (19th lowest)
> Population with a disability: 14.4% (13th highest)
> Population with health insurance: 88.5% (7th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
[in-text-ad]
39. Colorado
> 2016 state health spending: $1,532 per capita ($8.5 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $6,188 per capita (16th lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 13.4% (5th lowest)
> Population with a disability: 10.9% (6th lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 92.5% (23rd highest)
See all stories featuring: Colorado
38. Utah
> 2016 state health spending: $1,565 per capita ($4.8 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $6,320 per capita (19th lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 10.5% (2nd lowest)
> Population with a disability: 9.6% (the lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 91.2% (18th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Utah
37. New Hampshire
> 2016 state health spending: $1,586 per capita ($2.1 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $5,702 per capita (9th lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 17.0% (8th highest)
> Population with a disability: 13.0% (25th lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 94.1% (15th highest)
See all stories featuring: New Hampshire
[in-text-ad-2]
36. Tennessee
> 2016 state health spending: $1,606 per capita ($10.7 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $4,862 per capita (3rd lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 15.7% (25th highest)
> Population with a disability: 15.4% (9th highest)
> Population with health insurance: 91.0% (16th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
35. Indiana
> 2016 state health spending: $1,631 per capita ($10.8 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $5,913 per capita (12th lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 15.0% (19th lowest)
> Population with a disability: 13.9% (20th highest)
> Population with health insurance: 91.9% (24th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Indiana
[in-text-ad]
34. Oklahoma
> 2016 state health spending: $1,642 per capita ($6.4 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $6,307 per capita (18th lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 15.0% (19th lowest)
> Population with a disability: 16.5% (5th highest)
> Population with health insurance: 86.2% (3rd lowest)
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
24/7 Wall St.
33. Virginia
> 2016 state health spending: $1,756 per capita ($14.8 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $6,293 per capita (17th lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 14.6% (11th lowest)
> Population with a disability: 11.9% (18th lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 91.3% (21st lowest)
See all stories featuring: Virginia
32. Alabama
> 2016 state health spending: $1,762 per capita ($8.6 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $6,117 per capita (15th lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 16.1% (19th highest)
> Population with a disability: 16.5% (5th highest)
> Population with health insurance: 90.9% (15th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Alabama
[in-text-ad-2]
31. Michigan
> 2016 state health spending: $1,815 per capita ($18.0 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $7,062 per capita (25th highest)
> Population 65 and older: 16.2% (17th highest)
> Population with a disability: 14.1% (16th highest)
> Population with health insurance: 94.6% (11th highest)
See all stories featuring: Michigan
30. Montana
> 2016 state health spending: $1,828 per capita ($1.9 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $6,795 per capita (24th lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 17.6% (5th highest)
> Population with a disability: 13.7% (21st highest)
> Population with health insurance: 91.9% (24th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Montana
[in-text-ad]
29. Washington
> 2016 state health spending: $1,853 per capita ($13.5 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $7,260 per capita (24th highest)
> Population 65 and older: 14.8% (12th lowest)
> Population with a disability: 12.9% (23rd lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 94.0% (16th highest)
See all stories featuring: Washington
28. Maryland
> 2016 state health spending: $1,886 per capita ($11.3 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $7,273 per capita (23rd highest)
> Population 65 and older: 14.6% (11th lowest)
> Population with a disability: 11.1% (9th lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 93.9% (17th highest)
See all stories featuring: Maryland
27. South Carolina
> 2016 state health spending: $1,894 per capita ($9.4 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $6,371 per capita (20th lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 16.7% (12th highest)
> Population with a disability: 14.8% (11th highest)
> Population with health insurance: 90.0% (13th lowest)
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
[in-text-ad-2]
26. Louisiana
> 2016 state health spending: $1,899 per capita ($8.9 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $6,668 per capita (23rd lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 14.4% (7th lowest)
> Population with a disability: 14.8% (11th highest)
> Population with health insurance: 89.7% (10th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
25. Kansas
> 2016 state health spending: $1,912 per capita ($5.6 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $6,420 per capita (21st lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 15.1% (20th lowest)
> Population with a disability: 13.1% (25th highest)
> Population with health insurance: 91.3% (21st lowest)
See all stories featuring: Kansas
[in-text-ad]
24. Missouri
> 2016 state health spending: $1,920 per capita ($11.7 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $5,318 per capita (7th lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 16.0% (21st highest)
> Population with a disability: 14.9% (10th highest)
> Population with health insurance: 91.1% (17th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Missouri
24/7 Wall St.
23. Wisconsin
> 2016 state health spending: $1,947 per capita ($11.3 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $6,616 per capita (22nd lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 16.0% (21st highest)
> Population with a disability: 11.8% (17th lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 94.7% (9th highest)
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
22. Arizona
> 2016 state health spending: $1,955 per capita ($13.6 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $6,027 per capita (13th lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 16.9% (10th highest)
> Population with a disability: 13.0% (25th lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 90.0% (13th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Arizona
[in-text-ad-2]
21. Maine
> 2016 state health spending: $1,975 per capita ($2.6 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $7,007 per capita (25th lowest)
> Population 65 and older: 19.3% (2nd highest)
> Population with a disability: 16.5% (5th highest)
> Population with health insurance: 92.0% (25th highest)
See all stories featuring: Maine
20. New Jersey
> 2016 state health spending: $1,993 per capita ($17.8 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $8,057 per capita (15th highest)
> Population 65 and older: 15.3% (23rd lowest)
> Population with a disability: 10.3% (3rd lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 92.0% (25th highest)
See all stories featuring: New Jersey
[in-text-ad]
19. California
> 2016 state health spending: $2,197 per capita ($86.2 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $8,354 per capita (12th highest)
> Population 65 and older: 13.6% (6th lowest)
> Population with a disability: 10.6% (4th lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 92.7% (22nd highest)
See all stories featuring: California
18. Rhode Island
> 2016 state health spending: $2,246 per capita ($2.4 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $8,109 per capita (14th highest)
> Population 65 and older: 16.5% (13th highest)
> Population with a disability: 13.5% (23rd highest)
> Population with health insurance: 95.7% (5th highest)
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
17. Pennsylvania
> 2016 state health spending: $2,246 per capita ($28.7 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $7,532 per capita (19th highest)
> Population 65 and older: 17.4% (7th highest)
> Population with a disability: 14.1% (16th highest)
> Population with health insurance: 94.4% (12th highest)
See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania
[in-text-ad-2]
16. West Virginia
> 2016 state health spending: $2,267 per capita ($4.2 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $7,942 per capita (16th highest)
> Population 65 and older: 18.8% (3rd highest)
> Population with a disability: 20.2% (the highest)
> Population with health insurance: 94.7% (9th highest)
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
15. Connecticut
> 2016 state health spending: $2,308 per capita ($8.3 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $8,925 per capita (9th highest)
> Population 65 and older: 16.1% (19th highest)
> Population with a disability: 11.1% (9th lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 95.1% (7th highest)
See all stories featuring: Connecticut
[in-text-ad]
14. Minnesota
> 2016 state health spending: $2,314 per capita ($12.8 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $8,441 per capita (11th highest)
> Population 65 and older: 15.0% (19th lowest)
> Population with a disability: 11.2% (10th lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 95.9% (4th highest)
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
13. Hawaii
> 2016 state health spending: $2,331 per capita ($3.3 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $8,534 per capita (10th highest)
> Population 65 and older: 17.0% (8th highest)
> Population with a disability: 10.8% (5th lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 96.5% (2nd highest)
See all stories featuring: Hawaii
12. Ohio
> 2016 state health spending: $2,337 per capita ($27.1 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $7,465 per capita (20th highest)
> Population 65 and older: 16.2% (17th highest)
> Population with a disability: 14.0% (18th highest)
> Population with health insurance: 94.4% (12th highest)
See all stories featuring: Ohio
[in-text-ad-2]
11. Iowa
> 2016 state health spending: $2,409 per capita ($7.5 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $7,459 per capita (21st highest)
> Population 65 and older: 16.4% (14th highest)
> Population with a disability: 11.3% (11th lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 95.7% (5th highest)
See all stories featuring: Iowa
10. Oregon
> 2016 state health spending: $2,418 per capita ($9.9 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $8,291 per capita (13th highest)
> Population 65 and older: 16.8% (11th highest)
> Population with a disability: 14.0% (18th highest)
> Population with health insurance: 93.8% (19th highest)
See all stories featuring: Oregon
[in-text-ad]
9. Mississippi
> 2016 state health spending: $2,500 per capita ($7.5 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $7,397 per capita (22nd highest)
> Population 65 and older: 15.0% (19th lowest)
> Population with a disability: 16.8% (4th highest)
> Population with health insurance: 88.2% (6th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
24/7 Wall St.
8. Alaska
> 2016 state health spending: $2,553 per capita ($1.9 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $16,660 per capita (the highest)
> Population 65 and older: 10.2% (the lowest)
> Population with a disability: 12.6% (22nd lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 86.0% (2nd lowest)
See all stories featuring: Alaska
7. Arkansas
> 2016 state health spending: $2,582 per capita ($7.7 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $7,657 per capita (18th highest)
> Population 65 and older: 16.3% (16th highest)
> Population with a disability: 18.0% (2nd highest)
> Population with health insurance: 92.1% (24th highest)
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
[in-text-ad-2]
6. Delaware
> 2016 state health spending: $2,661 per capita ($2.5 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $9,874 per capita (5th highest)
> Population 65 and older: 17.5% (6th highest)
> Population with a disability: 11.4% (13th lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 94.3% (14th highest)
See all stories featuring: Delaware
5. Kentucky
> 2016 state health spending: $2,759 per capita ($12.2 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $7,921 per capita (17th highest)
> Population 65 and older: 15.5% (25th lowest)
> Population with a disability: 17.5% (3rd highest)
> Population with health insurance: 94.9% (8th highest)
See all stories featuring: Kentucky
[in-text-ad]
4. Vermont
> 2016 state health spending: $2,780 per capita ($1.7 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $10,773 per capita (3rd highest)
> Population 65 and older: 18.2% (4th highest)
> Population with a disability: 14.4% (13th highest)
> Population with health insurance: 96.3% (3rd highest)
See all stories featuring: Vermont
3. Massachusetts
> 2016 state health spending: $2,821 per capita ($19.2 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $9,332 per capita (8th highest)
> Population 65 and older: 15.8% (24th highest)
> Population with a disability: 11.8% (17th lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 97.5% (the highest)
See all stories featuring: Massachusetts
2. New York
> 2016 state health spending: $3,139 per capita ($62.0 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $9,837 per capita (6th highest)
> Population 65 and older: 15.3% (23rd lowest)
> Population with a disability: 11.6% (15th lowest)
> Population with health insurance: 93.9% (17th highest)
See all stories featuring: New York
[in-text-ad-2]
1. New Mexico
> 2016 state health spending: $3,241 per capita ($6.7 billion)
> Total 2016 state spending: $9,625 per capita (7th highest)
> Population 65 and older: 16.4% (14th highest)
> Population with a disability: 15.7% (8th highest)
> Population with health insurance: 90.8% (14th lowest)
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
Methodology
To identify what each state spends on your health, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the detailed health care expenditures by state governments provided by the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2016 Annual Survey of State and Local Finances. The shares of the population 65 and older, those living with a disability, and those with health insurance came from the U.S Census’ American Community Survey for 2016.
Cash Back Credit Cards Have Never Been This Good
Credit card companies are at war, handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers. A good cash back card can be worth thousands of dollars a year in free money, not to mention other perks like travel, insurance, and access to fancy lounges. See our top picks for the best credit cards today. You won’t want to miss some of these offers.
Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
