ICHRA savings in North Carolina
38 North Carolina counties price individual coverage below small group. Employers there save up to $2,062 per employee per year.
Last updated: August 16, 2026 · plan-year 2026, lowest-cost silver (age 50), same year both markets.
Top North Carolina counties by savings
Monthly benchmark premiums: individual vs small group, 2026 plan year.
| County | Individual /mo | Small group /mo | You save | Annual / employee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabarrus County | $688 | $860 | 20% | $2,062 |
| Mecklenburg County | $688 | $860 | 20% | $2,062 |
| Rowan County | $688 | $860 | 20% | $2,062 |
| Union County | $688 | $860 | 20% | $2,062 |
| Alamance County | $708 | $853 | 17% | $1,736 |
| Caswell County | $708 | $853 | 17% | $1,736 |
| Chatham County | $708 | $853 | 17% | $1,736 |
| Durham County | $708 | $853 | 17% | $1,736 |
| Lee County | $708 | $853 | 17% | $1,736 |
| Orange County | $708 | $853 | 17% | $1,736 |
| Person County | $708 | $853 | 17% | $1,736 |
| Franklin County | $686 | $818 | 16.1% | $1,586 |
Showing top 12 of 38 qualifying North Carolina counties. Explore them all on the interactive map.
North Carolina county savings pages
Every North Carolina county where the 2026 benchmark gap tops $100/employee/month — each with its own local breakdown.
- Cabarrus County 20%
- Mecklenburg County 20%
- Rowan County 20%
- Union County 20%
- Alamance County 17%
- Caswell County 17%
- Chatham County 17%
- Durham County 17%
- Lee County 17%
- Orange County 17%
- Person County 17%
- Franklin County 16.1%
- Johnston County 16.1%
- Wake County 16.1%
- Guilford County 14.5%
- Randolph County 14.5%
- Davidson County 14.5%
- Davie County 14.5%
- Forsyth County 14.5%
- Stokes County 14.5%
- Yadkin County 14.5%
The North Carolina picture
Thirty-eight North Carolina counties qualify in 2026 plan-year data, but the spreads are moderate rather than dramatic: the widest estimated gap is Cabarrus County, in the Charlotte suburbs, at about $172 per employee per month (roughly 20.0%), and no county in the state clears $200. For 2027, insurers have filed for an average 14.9% individual-market increase — a proposal still in review, and deliberately kept out of the savings figures shown here.
For fast-growing employers around Concord, Kannapolis, and the broader Charlotte suburbs, an estimated $172 per employee per month is worth a look but usually isn't the whole argument. In North Carolina the ICHRA conversation tends to pair a modest estimated saving with growth logistics: hiring across the Raleigh-Durham, Triad, and Charlotte markets under one defined-contribution benefit instead of re-quoting group coverage as headcount and locations shift. Companies like yours could see the numbers help — they just rarely close the deal alone here.
North Carolina ICHRA FAQs
How much can employers save with an ICHRA in North Carolina?
Across 38 qualifying North Carolina counties, the 2026 gap between small-group and individual silver coverage averages 11% — up to $2,062 per employee per year in the strongest county. Figures are plan-year-2026 estimates (lowest-cost silver, age 50, same year both markets), not quotes.
Which North Carolina county has the biggest ICHRA savings?
Cabarrus County currently shows the widest 2026 spread in North Carolina: individual $688/mo vs small group $860/mo — about 20% ($2,062/employee/year, estimated).
Does every North Carolina county qualify for ICHRA savings?
No. Only counties where the individual market prices below small group make the list — 38 in North Carolina for plan year 2026. In other counties a savings-driven ICHRA usually is not the right move, and an analysis will say so.
Where does this North Carolina data come from?
Individual-market premiums come from the CMS Marketplace Public Use Files and small-group benchmarks from Ideon — lowest-cost silver plan, age 50, same county and same plan year (2026) on both sides.
Which part of North Carolina has the biggest ICHRA price advantage for employers?
In 2026 plan-year data, the Charlotte suburbs lead: Cabarrus County shows the state's widest estimated gap at about $172 per employee per month (roughly 20.0%) comparing the lowest-cost silver plan at age 50, individual versus small group. No North Carolina county exceeds $200, so the advantage is moderate statewide. That makes the county-by-county lookup useful — an employer in Cabarrus sees a different estimate than one in the Triangle or the mountains, and all figures depend on your team's actual ages and locations.
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