As we enter the busy home-buying season, you may be wonderingwhich states have the highest homeowners insurance rates. Manyfactors impact home insurance premiums including real estatevalues, building and construction costs, vulnerability tocatastrophes, as well as levels of economic growth andurbanization.

According to a January 2015 study by the National Association ofInsurance Commissioners (NAIC), the averagehomeowners insurance premium across the United States in 2012 (themost recent complete annual data available) was $1,034. Thatwas up 5.7% from 2011, when the increase nationwide was7.6%.

[Related: Insurance basics for newhomeowners]

Not surprisingly, Florida had the highest average homeownersinsurance premium in 2012 ($2,084). Idaho had the lowest($538).

In general, real estate values and construction costs tend to behigher in areas with higher populations. Because the amount of homeinsurance needed is based on the value of the home, premiums areoften higher in more heavily populated places. Vacation andretirement areas, as well as areas experiencing rapid economicgrowth, also tend to have relatively higher real estate values.

Exposure to catastrophe impacts homeowner insurancerates

The degree of exposure to catastrophe also affects the cost ofinsurance to homeowners. Brush and forest fires, tornadoes, highwinds, hail, freezing rain, snow storms, hurricanes, earthquakes,riots and even terrorist attacks are all types of catastrophes thatcan occur in the U.S. Since the late 1980s, catastrophes have beenoccurring with greater frequency and severity, and, in the lastdecade, have become an even greater consideration in the pricing ofhome insurance, according to the NAIC report.

Take a look at the 10 states with the highest average annualhomeowners' insurance premiums on the following pages.

Wooden houses in an industrial suburb of Buffalo, New York.(Richard Cavalleri / Shutterstock.com)

10. New York

Average homeowners annualpremium: $1,158

A classic New England-style home in Connecticut. (JosephSohm / Shutterstock.com)

9. Connecticut

Average homeowners annualpremium: $1,160

A home in rural Kansas. (Lisa Eastman /Shutterstock.com)

8. Kansas

Average homeowners annualpremium: $1,213

A majestic ocean estate in Newport, Rhode Island. (JosephSohm / Shutterstock.com)

7. Rhode Island

Average homeowners annualpremium: $1,233

A tornado-damaged home in northern Alabama. (Rob Hainer /Shutterstock.com)

6. Alabama

Average homeowners annualpremium: $1,248

House for rent in Biloxi, Miss. (Shutterstock.com)

5. Mississippi

Average homeowners annualpremium: $1,314

Devastation from the 2013 EF-5 tornado in Moore, Oklahoma.The tornado left a trail of damage 9 miles wide. (jessicakirsh /Shutterstock.com)

4. Oklahoma

Average homeowners annualpremium: $1,501

Homes located in a historic district of Galveston, Texas.(Fotoluminate LLC / Shutterstock.com)

3. Texas

Average homeowners annualpremium: $1,551

Homes on Royal Street east of the French Quarter in NewOrleans, La. (IrinaK / Shutterstock.com)

2. Louisiana

Average homeowners annualpremium: $1,742

A typical Southwest Florida concrete block and stucco homewith palm trees, tropical plants and flowers, and a bahiagrasslawn. (Anne Kitzman / Shutterstock.com)

1. Florida

Average homeowners annual premium: $2,084

[Related: The 7 types of homes that are hard toinsure]