Benefits & Insurance
COBRA vs Marketplace Calculator
Compare COBRA vs ACA Marketplace costs over 6 and 12 months in dollars and hours of work. Free calculator for U.S. workers who lost job-based coverage.
Know the numbers
How to use this calculator
Enter the monthly COBRA premium from your election notice, the marketplace monthly premium (after any subsidy if applicable), and your hourly wage. The calculator shows the cost difference over 6 and 12 months, plus the hours of work the difference costs you.
A worked example
$792/month COBRA (KFF national average + 2% fee) vs $178/month marketplace after subsidy at $25/hour: marketplace saves $614/month, $7,368 over 12 months — 294.7 hours of work per year.
The calculation
Monthly difference = COBRA premium − marketplace premium. 6-month and 12-month totals = monthly cost × 6 and × 12. Hours = difference ÷ hourly rate.
Before you use the result
Premiums are estimates: 2026 averages are about $792/month for COBRA single coverage (full employer premium + 2% admin fee) and $178/month for marketplace coverage after subsidies ($462 before). Actual costs vary by state, plan, age, and income. This is not insurance advice.
Common scenarios
Use this calculator whenever you need to verify your hours, check a paycheck, or prepare a timecard submission. The result is the same arithmetic the payroll department uses, displayed in a form you can inspect.
Calculation methodology: View formulas, limits, and corrections
Common questions about COBRA vs Marketplace Calculator
Is COBRA or marketplace insurance cheaper?
For most people, marketplace coverage is cheaper — especially with subsidies. COBRA charges the full employer premium plus a 2% fee (about $792/month average in 2026), while subsidized marketplace coverage averages $178/month. COBRA can still win for very short gaps when you need your exact plan.
Can I elect COBRA and still get marketplace subsidies?
Yes. Losing job coverage gives you a 60-day Special Enrollment Period for the marketplace. Subsidies are based on your household income for the year — income between jobs is often low, which can mean a large premium tax credit.
What if my COBRA premium is lower than the marketplace?
Enter both actual numbers. If your employer plan was inexpensive or your income is too high for subsidies, COBRA can cost less — especially for a one- or two-month bridge before a new job plan starts.
How long do I have to choose between COBRA and the marketplace?
Both clocks are 60 days from losing coverage: 60 days to elect COBRA and 60 days to enroll in a marketplace Special Enrollment Period. Waiting out one window does not extend the other. Compare before you elect.
Does dropping COBRA open a marketplace enrollment window?
Voluntarily dropping COBRA generally does not create a new Special Enrollment Period. Your safest marketplace window is the original 60 days after losing job coverage.
A little guidance, when you need it
Health Insurance Between Jobs: A Guide for Hourly Workers
What happens to your health insurance when you quit or lose a job. COBRA, marketplace special enrollment, and coverage gaps for U.S. hourly workers.
Read guide Field guideCOBRA 60-Day Election Deadline: How the Window Works
You have 60 days to elect COBRA after losing job coverage — from the later of coverage ending or your election notice. First payment is due in 45 days.
Read guide Field guideBest Health Insurance for Self-Employed Workers (2026)
Best health insurance for self-employed workers in 2026: marketplace plans with subsidies for most, plus spouse plans, HSA HDHPs, and Medicaid — ranked.
Read guide