Texas Health Insurance 2025: $0 Plans Statewide – Cheapest in the South (Real Rates for Houston, Dallas, Austin)
(Updated November 30, 2025 – Open Enrollment is LIVE until January 15, 2026)
Texas is crushing it as the cheapest state in the South for health insurance in 2025, with over 4.5 million Texans enrolled in Marketplace plans — and 3+ million paying $0/month thanks to enhanced ACA subsidies. These full ACA plans cover pre-existing conditions, offer $0–$800 deductibles on Silver 94% CSR options, and beat national averages by $300–$500/year.
But act fast: Enhanced subsidies expire December 31, 2025, potentially doubling costs to $400–$900/month in 2026 for many.
Texas 2025 Average Costs After Subsidies (40-Year-Old, 150% FPL)
| City / Area | Full Price (No Subsidy) | After Max Subsidy | You Actually Pay (Silver 94%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston / Harris | $489/mo | $0–$10/mo | $0 |
| Dallas / Dallas County | $512/mo | $0–$15/mo | $0 |
| Austin / Travis | $528/mo | $0–$12/mo | $0 |
| San Antonio / Bexar | $475/mo | $0–$8/mo | $0 |
| Fort Worth / Tarrant | $498/mo | $0–$20/mo | $0–$20 |
| Statewide Average | $489/mo | $0–$47/mo | $0–$47 |
Sources: ValuePenguin 2025 Texas Rates; KFF Subsidy Calculator Use the KFF Subsidy Calculator for your exact ZIP and income.
County-by-County Cheapest $0 Plans 2025 (Single Adult, Low-Income Eligible)
| County / Major City | Cheapest Carrier | Plan Name | Monthly After Subsidy | Deductible | Out-of-Pocket Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harris (Houston) | Ambetter | Clear Silver 94% | $0 | $0 | $1,200 |
| Dallas | Oscar | Epic Silver 94% | $0 | $200 | $1,500 |
| Travis (Austin) | Community Health Choice | Silver 94% | $0 | $0 | $900 |
| Bexar (San Antonio) | Christus Health | Balanced Silver 94% | $0 | $100 | $1,800 |
| Tarrant (Fort Worth) | Blue Cross Blue Shield | BlueAdvantage Silver 94% | $0–$20 | $400 | $2,200 |
| Collin (Plano) | UnitedHealthcare | Choice Silver 94% | $0 | $300 | $2,000 |
| Denton | Aetna CVS | Silver 94% | $0–$15 | $500 | $2,500 |
| El Paso | Molina Healthcare | Silver 94% | $0 | $0 | $1,500 |
| Hidalgo (McAllen) | Community Health Choice | Silver 94% | $0 | $200 | $1,200 |
Preview your county instantly: HealthCare.gov See Plans
Top 7 Cheapest Carriers in Texas 2025 (Ranked by Affordability & Coverage)
- Ambetter (Centene) – Lowest statewide ($0 Silver in 200+ counties); high deductibles but unbeatable premiums
- Christus Health – Cheapest overall ($366/mo young adults); strong in South Texas
- Community Health Choice – Best Gold plans ($398/mo full coverage); Houston dominant
- Oscar Health – Lowest out-of-pocket for Dallas/Austin; app-based telehealth
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas – Widest network (all counties); solid subsidies
- Molina Healthcare – $0 for low-income (<$30k); El Paso & border areas
- UnitedHealthcare – Competitive in North Texas; virtual care perks
Pro Tip: Texas has no Medicaid expansion, so Marketplace subsidies are crucial — 93% of enrollees get them, averaging $500–$800/month off.
Why Texas Plans Are So Affordable in 2025 (Before the Cliff)
- High competition (12+ insurers in major metros)
- Reinsurance programs in key areas like Houston/Dallas
- Enhanced subsidies cover 100% for incomes ≤150% FPL (~$22,590 single) — but end 12/31/2025, hiking rates 35%+ statewide
- Short-term plans as low as $80/mo, but skip pre-existing coverage & subsidies
For self-employed Texans: Deduct premiums on taxes + stack subsidies for $0 effective cost.
Deadlines – Enroll Now to Lock In $0 for 2026
- December 15, 2025 → January 1 coverage
- January 15, 2026 → Final deadline (any 2026 start)
Related Guides on Our Site
→ Cheapest Health Insurance 2025 (National Guide)
→ Health Insurance for Self-Employed 2025
→ $0 Health Insurance 2025
→ Florida Health Insurance 2025
Texas beats Florida on statewide $0 access — head to HealthCare.gov now, enter your ZIP, and see $0 plans pop up. With 5+ million uninsured, this is your shot at free coverage before prices spike.
