If you live in downtown Boston, good news: your insurance is still lower than the rest of the city.

But rates are constantly being adjusted, and companies are always looking at changes to the neighborhood, a local insurance agent said.

According to the most recent data compiled by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, in 2019 Massachusetts had the 15th highest combined average annual car insurance premium, coming in at $1,246.

That's an increase of $115 over the previous five years. But while the average insurance in the U.S. was $1,192 in 2019, that was a $180 increase over a similar period.

“The auto industry has gotten a lot more competitive, there are more variations with insurance companies," said Richard Soo Hoo of SooHoo Insurance, which is based in the Leather District.

Mapfre, aka Commerce, continues to dominate the Massachusetts market at 21.5 percent of drivers, but SooHoo said Geico has made huge strides, coming in second at 15.8 percent of the market.

And companies calculate variations to the smallest areas.

The state's Division of Insurance maintains a database for consumers to look up rates of insurance premiums in their towns for certain example conditions. Boston is divided into ten area: Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston/ Charlestown, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, Roxbury, South Boston, West Roxbury and Central Boston which includes areas like the South End, Back Bay and Downtown.

Within those neighborhoods, rates can change dramatically. The Boston Guardian looked at rates throughout Boston for the same example driver: a person who owned a 2013 Toyota Camry, had been licensed for 14 years and had an excellent driving record.

That person saw a range of $261 to $1,774, depending on the insurer, in Central Boston; but in neighboring Roxbury, they'd pay between $411 and $3,174.

Soo Hoo said multiple factors can play into why rates in one part of Boston are so different from another. Having street parking can increase crashes and therefore rates, and more suburban areas like Brighton and West Roxbury also saw lower rate ranges.

More expensive, and more frequently stolen, cars can lead to higher rates, as can crime rates within an area.

“Insurance companies are big on data analytics, what make and model is most susceptible to being stolen," Soo Hoo said. "They have data emission-wise, which vehicles get into accidents more, etc. “And the companies are scrutinizing changes in neighborhoods to make further adjustments, Soo Hoo said.

While the Seaport is a newer neighborhood, its residents in high-priced condos frequently have expensive cars, and Soo Hoo thought that would soon affect rates there.

And the South End is also seeing more expensive conditions. “The South End now has so many new condos and apartments on Albany and Harrison, the Seaport has an influx of high-end population -- luxury cars drive up rates," Soo Hoo said.

And driving records are a huge factor as well. The Department of Insurance database shows that another example driver of a 2013 Camry who has been licensed for 20 years -- but had an at-fault accident 18 months ago -- would see a range of $1,255 to $3,943, a massive jump over the other driver's rate.

The good news, Soo Hoo said, is that heavily populated areas like Boston, Worcester and Springfield often have more variations that can reduce rates as well. Large populations of drivers with AARP or AAA membership can see discounts that affect the whole area.

But he said the best way for the city driver to save money is to buy cheap and find other options when you can -- even if you can afford otherwise.

“You can afford those luxuries, but why do you need a Mercedes in the city of Boston?" Soo Hoo said "If you want to go from Beacon Hill to see the Van Gogh on Albany Street, take an Uber!”