Compare assisted living, memory care, nursing home, and home care costs for your state
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1. What Are You Looking For?
Showing all care options side by side
2. Location
40 hrs/wk
Cost Overrides (enter your local quotes)
Inflation Projection
Costs reflect 2024 Genworth Cost of Care Survey medians, adjusted to 2026 estimates. Actual facility pricing varies based on location within the state, room type, amenities, and individual care needs. Request quotes from specific facilities for exact pricing.
3. Senior Care Cost Comparison
Care Type
Monthly
Annual
Details
📈 Cost Projection
These are median costs based on state-level survey data. Costs vary significantly within each state — urban areas typically cost 10–25% more than rural areas. Level-of-care increases, move-in fees ($1,000–5,000), and medication management can add to the base rate. Always request detailed pricing from individual facilities.
Planning for Senior Care?
Use this estimate as a starting point. Learn about payment options including Medicaid, VA benefits, long-term care insurance, and more.
This calculator compares the cost of seven common senior care options using state-level data from the Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the most widely-cited source for long-term care costs in the United States. Data is updated to 2026 estimates.
Care types range from adult day care (least intensive, lowest cost) to private nursing home rooms (most intensive, highest cost). Home health aide costs are calculated based on the hours per week you select, since in-home care costs scale linearly with usage.
Care intensity adjusts the base cost to reflect different levels of need. "Basic" uses median costs. "Moderate" adds 15% for residents needing more staff time. "Extensive" adds 30% for high-acuity residents requiring specialized or near-constant care.
Inflation projections use a fixed annual rate (default 3%) to estimate future costs. Senior care costs have historically risen 3–5% per year, outpacing general inflation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does assisted living cost per month?
Assisted living costs between $3,500 and $8,500 per month depending on your state. The national median is approximately $4,500 per month. States in the South and Midwest tend to be cheapest, while the Northeast and West Coast are most expensive. Use the calculator above to see the cost for your specific state.
What's the difference between assisted living and memory care?
Memory care is a specialized type of assisted living designed for people with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or other cognitive impairments. It includes everything in assisted living (housing, meals, personal care) plus a secured environment to prevent wandering, staff trained specifically in dementia care, and cognitive therapy activities. Memory care typically costs 20–30% more than standard assisted living.
Does Medicare cover assisted living?
No, Medicare does not pay for assisted living room and board. Medicare may cover some medical services like skilled nursing visits or physical therapy if provided at the facility. Medicaid does cover assisted living in many states through HCBS (Home and Community-Based Services) waivers, but eligibility is income-based and waiting lists can be long. Other funding sources include long-term care insurance, VA Aid & Attendance benefits, and private savings.
Is it cheaper to hire in-home care or move to assisted living?
It depends on how many hours of care are needed. At 40 hours per week (typical part-time), home health aide costs are usually comparable to assisted living ($3,500–6,000/month). However, if 24/7 care is needed, in-home care costs $14,000–24,000/month — far more than assisted living. Assisted living also includes meals, housekeeping, and social activities that would be separate costs with in-home care.
What is included in assisted living costs?
Most assisted living facilities include: a private or semi-private apartment or room, three meals daily plus snacks, housekeeping and laundry, help with daily activities (bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting), medication management, 24-hour staff availability, social activities and outings, and local transportation. What's typically NOT included: specialized medical care, physical/occupational therapy, incontinence supplies, and phone/cable/internet.
How do I pay for assisted living?
The most common payment sources are: (1) Private savings and retirement accounts — the most common method. (2) Long-term care insurance — if purchased before needing care. (3) Medicaid HCBS waivers — available in most states for qualifying individuals. (4) VA Aid & Attendance — up to $2,431/month for qualifying veterans or surviving spouses. (5) Life insurance conversion — some policies can be converted to long-term care benefits. (6) Reverse mortgage — using home equity. (7) Bridge loans — short-term financing while selling a home. Read our complete guide to paying for assisted living.