Term life insurance rates are lower than most people expect. In our model, a healthy 30-year-old man can get $500,000 of 20-year coverage for about $20 to $30 a month, and a woman the same age for about $16 to $25. Your actual rate depends on your age, health, tobacco use, the length of the term, and how much coverage you buy.
Below are sample term life insurance rates by age, term length, health class, and coverage amount, followed by the factors that drive your price and practical ways to lower it.
Key takeaways
- Term life insurance rates rise with age, and the increases get steeper after 45.
- Women typically pay about 15% to 20% less than men of the same age and health.
- Health class and tobacco use can double or triple your premium.
- Longer terms cost more, but lock in your rate for more years.
- About three in four people overestimate the cost of life insurance, according to LIMRA.
Term life insurance rates by age
Age is the biggest factor in your term life rate. These estimates are for $500,000 of coverage for a non-smoker in excellent health.
| Age | 10-year term (men) | 20-year term (men) | 20-year term (women) | 30-year term (men) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | $13–$20 | $18–$28 | $15–$23 | $28–$43 |
| 30 | $14–$22 | $20–$30 | $16–$25 | $31–$47 |
| 35 | $16–$25 | $22–$34 | $18–$28 | $35–$53 |
| 40 | $22–$34 | $31–$47 | $25–$38 | $48–$72 |
| 45 | $33–$50 | $46–$69 | $38–$57 | $72–$107 |
| 50 | $52–$77 | $72–$107 | $59–$88 | $111–$165 |
| 55 | $85–$126 | $119–$175 | $97–$144 | $184–$272 |
| 60 | $140–$207 | $195–$288 | $160–$236 | Not typically offered |
| 65 | $250–$369 | $348–$513 | $285–$421 | Not typically offered |
Illustrative monthly estimates from AccuQuote’s calculator model. Not a quote. Your rate depends on underwriting, the carrier, and your state. Figures are monthly premiums for $500,000 of coverage.
Notice how gradual the increases are in your 20s and 30s, and how quickly they climb after 45. Because a level term premium is locked in for the full term, buying a few years earlier can save thousands over the life of the policy. For more examples, see life insurance rates by age.
Term life insurance rates by health class
After underwriting, the insurer places you in a rate class based on your medical history, prescriptions, build, and lifestyle. Here’s how health affects the price of $500,000 of 20-year coverage for a 40-year-old man.
| Health class | Monthly estimate |
|---|---|
| Excellent (preferred plus) | $31–$47 |
| Good (preferred) | $40–$61 |
| Average (standard) | $55–$81 |
| Below average (substandard) | $81–$121 |
| Excellent health, tobacco user | $94–$139 |
Illustrative monthly estimates from AccuQuote’s calculator model. Not a quote. Your rate depends on underwriting, the carrier, and your state.
Each carrier sets its own rate class rules, so one company may rate a well-managed condition like high blood pressure more favorably than another. Learn how life insurance rate classes work.
Term life insurance rates by coverage amount
Larger policies cost more in total but less per $1,000 of coverage. Here are estimates for a healthy 35-year-old man buying a 20-year term.
| Coverage | Monthly estimate |
|---|---|
| $100,000 | $8–$13 |
| $250,000 | $12–$19 |
| $500,000 | $22–$34 |
| $1,000,000 | $43–$64 |
| $2,000,000 | $86–$127 |
Illustrative monthly estimates from AccuQuote’s calculator model. Not a quote. Your rate depends on underwriting, the carrier, and your state.
Going from $250,000 to $500,000 roughly doubles the coverage for well under double the price. Find the right amount with the term life insurance calculator.
See your real term life rates
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Get my term quoteWhat affects term life insurance rates?
Age
The older you are when you apply, the more likely the insurer is to pay a claim during the term. That’s why premiums climb with each birthday.
Gender
Women live longer on average, so they typically pay less than men of the same age and health.
Health and medical history
Insurers review conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and high cholesterol, along with your height and weight, medications, and family history. Well-managed conditions often still qualify for good rates.
Tobacco and nicotine
Tobacco users often pay about three times as much as non-users. Most carriers offer non-smoker rates after 12 months tobacco-free, and some treat occasional cigar use or nicotine replacement differently.
Term length
A 30-year term costs more than a 20-year term because the insurer covers you into older ages. Many carriers stop offering 30-year terms by your mid-50s and 20-year terms around 70.
Lifestyle and occupation
Hazardous jobs, risky hobbies like private piloting or scuba diving, and your driving record can all affect your rate.
Why most people overestimate term life rates
In the 2026 Insurance Barometer Study from LIMRA and Life Happens, adults under 31 overestimated the cost of a $250,000, 20-year term policy by about five to six times. Only 4% of consumers under 30 correctly estimated a basic term policy’s premium, according to LIMRA research reported by InsuranceNewsNet.
“…they would pay pennies on the dollar for life insurance.”
Steve Wood, research director, LIMRA Markets Research, via InsuranceNewsNet (2026), on young, healthy adults
The takeaway: if you’ve put off buying coverage because you assumed it was expensive, check a real quote. It may cost less than your phone bill.
How to get the lowest term life insurance rate
- Buy sooner. Every year you wait, the price goes up, and a new health issue could raise it further.
- Choose the right term. Match the term to your longest obligation instead of defaulting to 30 years.
- Ladder policies. Pair a large 20-year policy with a smaller 30-year policy, so coverage steps down as your needs shrink.
- Quit tobacco. After 12 months tobacco-free, ask for a rate reconsideration.
- Prepare for underwriting. Get a good night’s sleep before any exam, skip heavy meals and caffeine, and bring a list of your medications.
- Compare carriers. Each insurer prices health conditions differently. AccuQuote customers save up to 70% by comparing 40+ A-rated carriers.
Many healthy applicants now qualify without a medical exam. See instant term life insurance options.
Do term life insurance rates ever go up?
Not during a level term. Your premium is locked for the full 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years, and the insurer can’t raise it as long as you pay on time. After the level term ends, many policies let you renew year to year without a new exam, but at much higher premiums that rise each year. The NAIC recommends asking what those renewal premiums will be before you buy. If you think you may want coverage beyond the term, look for a policy you can convert to permanent coverage, or consider return of premium term life.
Term life insurance rates for smokers
Tobacco has a bigger effect on your premium than almost anything except age. Here’s how $500,000 of 20-year coverage compares for tobacco users in otherwise excellent health.
| Age | Men (tobacco) | Women (tobacco) | Men (non-tobacco) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | $61–$90 | $50–$74 | $20–$30 |
| 40 | $94–$139 | $77–$114 | $31–$47 |
| 50 | $216–$319 | $177–$262 | $72–$107 |
| 60 | $586–$863 | $480–$708 | $195–$288 |
Illustrative monthly estimates from AccuQuote’s calculator model. Not a quote. Your rate depends on underwriting, the carrier, and your state.
Most carriers count cigarettes, vaping, chewing tobacco, and nicotine gum or patches as tobacco use. Some are more lenient with an occasional cigar. Once you’ve been tobacco-free for 12 months, many insurers will consider you for non-smoker rates, and the savings can add up to thousands of dollars a year.
Term life insurance rates for seniors
Term coverage is still available in your 60s and early 70s, though terms get shorter and prices rise. These estimates are for $250,000 of coverage for a non-smoker in excellent health.
| Age | 10-year term (men) | 10-year term (women) | 20-year term (men) | 20-year term (women) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | $76–$112 | $62–$92 | $105–$156 | $86–$128 |
| 65 | $135–$200 | $111–$164 | $188–$277 | $154–$227 |
| 70 | $247–$365 | $203–$299 | $344–$507 | $282–$416 |
| 75 | $429–$632 | $352–$519 | Not typically offered | Not typically offered |
Illustrative monthly estimates from AccuQuote’s calculator model. Not a quote. Your rate depends on underwriting, the carrier, and your state.
After about 70, many carriers only offer 10- or 15-year terms. If you need coverage that lasts for life, compare guaranteed universal life or, for smaller amounts, final expense insurance. See more options in our guide to life insurance for seniors.
Monthly vs. annual term life insurance rates
Most people pay monthly, but many carriers charge slightly less overall if you pay once a year. The difference is often a few percent, because monthly billing costs the insurer more to administer. If you can comfortably pay annually, ask for both prices when you compare quotes. Semiannual and quarterly options usually fall in between.
Do no-exam term policies cost more?
Not necessarily. Many carriers now use prescription records, motor vehicle reports, and medical data to approve healthy applicants without an exam, often at the same rates as fully underwritten policies. If you have a health condition, though, a traditional exam may actually earn you a better rate class, because it gives the insurer more information to work with. An agent can tell you which path is likely to cost less for your situation. Learn more about no-medical-exam life insurance.
How insurers set your rate class
Each carrier uses its own rules, but most look at the same core factors when assigning a rate class:
- Build. Height-to-weight ratio, measured against the carrier’s build chart.
- Blood pressure and cholesterol. Readings and whether they’re controlled with medication.
- Medical history. Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and sleep apnea, and how well they’re managed.
- Family history. Early heart disease or cancer in parents or siblings.
- Driving record. Recent DUIs or multiple violations.
- Hobbies and travel. Activities like skydiving, private flying, or travel to high-risk countries.
Because carriers weigh these differently, the same applicant can qualify for preferred rates at one insurer and standard rates at another. That’s one of the biggest reasons comparing quotes pays off.
Term life insurance rates FAQs
How much is term life insurance per month?
For a healthy 30-year-old, $500,000 of 20-year coverage costs about $16 to $30 a month in our model, depending on gender. Rates rise with age, health issues, and tobacco use.
Do term life rates go up every year?
No. With level term, your premium stays the same for the entire term. Rates only rise if you renew after the term ends or buy a new policy at an older age.
What is the cheapest term length?
A 10-year term usually has the lowest monthly premium. But if you need coverage for 20 or 30 years, buying a longer term now is often cheaper than buying a second policy later at an older age.
Why are term life rates so much lower than whole life?
Term covers you for a set period and builds no cash value, so the insurer’s chance of paying a claim is lower. Whole life covers you for life and includes a savings component.
Can I lower my rate after I buy a policy?
Sometimes. If your health improves significantly or you quit tobacco for 12 months or more, many carriers will review your rate class. You can also shop for a new policy, but don’t cancel your old one until the new one is in force.
Are term life insurance rates the same at every company?
No. Each insurer uses its own underwriting rules and pricing. That’s why comparing multiple carriers can lower your premium significantly.
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