Your year-by-year comparison
The colored dot next to each year's "% of poverty" shows your subsidy status that year.
COBRA vs net Marketplace cost by year
Your results will appear here
Fill in your details on the left and press Calculate. You'll get your COBRA cost, the Marketplace price after any subsidy, and which option wins — for every year of your coverage window.
🔒 Nothing you enter is sent anywhere — all math runs in your browser.
Important: COBRA is only available for 18 months after you lose job-based coverage, and you have 60 days to elect it. That 60-day window can work in your favor: COBRA can be back-dated to the day your coverage ended. So if you expect a new job soon, you can wait — and only elect (and pay for) COBRA if you actually need care during the gap. After the 18 months, the Marketplace is your main option until you land a new job with benefits or Medicare begins at 65.
Unemployment counts as income. State unemployment benefits are taxable and count toward your ACA MAGI — they can reduce or eliminate your subsidy. Enter them in the income section to get an accurate picture.
Example: single person, laid off at 45 in 2026
Say you take home about $30,000 in wages and severance early in the year, plus $18,000 in unemployment benefits — $48,000 total. Because unemployment counts as income for the Marketplace, that puts you near 307% of the poverty line. COBRA is quoted at $650/month:
| Option (year 1, age 45) | Cost for the year |
|---|---|
| COBRA (full price, $650 × 12) | $7,800 |
| Marketplace — full price | $8,944 |
| Marketplace — after subsidy (what you pay) | $4,781 |
Even after the unemployment benefits count against you, a subsidized Marketplace plan (about $4,781) still beats COBRA (about $7,800) here. COBRA tends to win only in a year your income is too high for any subsidy. These are national-average estimates. Your real price depends on your state, age, household size, and income. Run the calculator for your own numbers.
See How it works for the full methodology.
Popular guides
- Health insurance after a layoff
- Is COBRA worth it?
- COBRA vs Obamacare: which is cheaper?
- The 2026 ACA subsidy cliff explained
- Laid off at 55, 60, or 62?
- Does severance affect ACA subsidies?
- Do IRA & 401(k) withdrawals affect ACA subsidies?
- Health insurance cost if you retire at 55, 60, or 62
- How CobraCalc works · Sources & methodology
Last reviewed June 6, 2026 · Sources & methodology
Common questions
What are my health insurance options after a layoff?
You have two main choices: COBRA, which keeps your old job's plan for up to 18 months at full price, or a Marketplace plan you buy on your own, which often comes with a subsidy. You have 60 days to pick either one after you lose coverage.
Do severance and unemployment count toward my Marketplace subsidy?
Yes. Severance pay and state unemployment benefits both count as income for the Marketplace. That extra income can shrink your subsidy or push you over the limit, so enter it to see your real cost.
How long do I have to get health insurance after a layoff?
You get 60 days for a Marketplace Special Enrollment Period and 60 days to elect COBRA. If you miss the Marketplace window, you may have to wait until the next open enrollment.
Is COBRA or a Marketplace plan cheaper after a layoff?
For most people a subsidized Marketplace plan is cheaper. COBRA usually wins only in a year your income is too high for any help, or when you want to keep your exact plan and doctors for a short bridge.