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Hospital Stays Cost 2.5 Months' Pay for Americans
15 Oct
Summary
- Average U.S. hospital stay costs $16,353, requiring nearly 11 weeks of work.
- Hospital costs increased 26.1% since 2021, outpacing wage growth.
- Idaho residents need the longest work hours to afford a hospital stay.
The average U.S. hospital stay, lasting nearly five days, amounts to $16,353. For a typical worker earning $37.62 per hour, this cost necessitates approximately 435 hours of work, nearly 11 weeks. This financial strain is exacerbated by a 26.1% rise in hospital expenses since 2021, a rate more than double the 11.2% growth in average hourly wages during the same period.
California and the District of Columbia report the highest hospital stay costs, exceeding $23,000. Conversely, Mississippi offers the least expensive stays at approximately $6,949. Notably, Idaho residents face the longest work requirement to cover average hospital expenses, needing about four months of full paychecks.
While health insurance typically covers a significant portion of hospital bills after deductibles and out-of-pocket limits are met, the uninsured population, estimated at 1 in 10 U.S. residents under 65 as of 2024, faces substantial outlays. Some hospitals may pursue collections or lawsuits for unpaid balances, contributing to widespread medical debt, with about one in four U.S. adults reporting medical debt in December 2025.
