Cost Guide
What does senior living cost?
Real median prices by state and care type, plus how Medicare, Medicaid, and VA benefits can help pay — and a free calculator to estimate your costs.
Senior Care Cost Calculator
Estimate monthly costs by state and care type.
Estimated cost
$4,500
/month · $54,000/yr
Estimate only — actual costs depend on the specific community, room, and level of care.
National median costs
Typical monthly (or hourly/daily) cost by care type across the U.S.
$2,800/mo
Independent Living
$4,500/mo
Assisted Living
$5,800/mo
Memory Care
$7,900/mo
Skilled Nursing
$25/hr
Home Care
$78/day
Adult Day Services
Assisted living cost by state
Median monthly assisted living cost, with estimated memory care and skilled nursing prices. Click a state to browse communities.
| State | Assisted Living |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $11,790/mo |
| Alaska | $10,630/mo |
| Massachusetts | $9,440/mo |
| Connecticut | $9,330/mo |
| Delaware | $8,920/mo |
| New Jersey | $8,910/mo |
| Maine | $8,320/mo |
| Vermont | $8,200/mo |
| New Hampshire | $7,740/mo |
| California | $7,660/mo |
| Oregon | $7,620/mo |
| Maryland | $7,380/mo |
| Rhode Island | $7,330/mo |
| Washington | $7,270/mo |
| Virginia | $6,790/mo |
| Arizona | $6,640/mo |
| North Carolina | $6,620/mo |
| New York | $6,560/mo |
| New Mexico | $6,420/mo |
| Wisconsin | $6,410/mo |
| Montana | $6,390/mo |
| Nevada | $6,370/mo |
| Pennsylvania | $6,360/mo |
| Michigan | $6,290/mo |
| Kansas | $6,200/mo |
| Colorado | $6,120/mo |
| Illinois | $6,080/mo |
| Minnesota | $6,070/mo |
| West Virginia | $5,840/mo |
| Indiana | $5,590/mo |
| Ohio | $5,590/mo |
| Florida | $5,550/mo |
| Texas | $5,470/mo |
| South Carolina | $5,420/mo |
| Iowa | $5,400/mo |
| Missouri | $5,370/mo |
| North Dakota | $5,350/mo |
| Nebraska | $5,330/mo |
| Louisiana | $5,310/mo |
| Georgia | $5,150/mo |
| Kentucky | $5,110/mo |
| Oklahoma | $5,020/mo |
| Arkansas | $4,920/mo |
| Wyoming | $4,900/mo |
| Utah | $4,880/mo |
| Idaho | $4,790/mo |
| Tennessee | $4,790/mo |
| Alabama | $4,760/mo |
| Mississippi | $4,630/mo |
| South Dakota | $4,530/mo |
How to pay for senior care
Medicare
Medicare does not pay for the room-and-board cost of assisted living, memory care, or long-term custodial care. It does cover short-term skilled nursing (up to 100 days after a qualifying hospital stay), eligible home health care, and hospice.
Medicaid
Medicaid is the largest payer for long-term care. Most states offer Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers that help cover assisted living or in-home care for those who qualify financially, and Medicaid covers long-term nursing home care.
VA Benefits
Wartime veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for VA Aid & Attendance— a monthly pension (over $2,300/mo for a couple in 2024) that helps pay for assisted living, memory care, or in-home care. It's one of the most underused benefits available.
Other options: long-term care insurance, life insurance conversions, bridge loans, reverse mortgages, and selling or renting a home are all common ways families fund care. A senior living advisor can help you compare them — for free.
Cost of senior care — FAQs
How much does assisted living cost?+
Assisted living costs about $4,500 per month nationally, ranging from roughly $2,500 to $9,000 depending on state, community, and level of care.
How much does memory care cost per month?+
Memory care averages around $5,800 per month — typically $1,000 to $1,500 more than standard assisted living because of specialized staffing and security.
Does Medicare pay for assisted living?+
No. Medicare does not cover the room-and-board cost of assisted living or long-term care. It does cover short-term skilled nursing (up to 100 days after a qualifying hospital stay), eligible home health, and hospice.
How can I pay for senior care?+
Common sources include private savings, Medicaid HCBS waivers, VA Aid & Attendance for veterans, long-term care insurance, and home equity. Many families combine several.
What is VA Aid & Attendance?+
It's an enhanced monthly VA pension for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities — it can pay over $2,300/month toward assisted living, memory care, or in-home care.
Not sure what you can afford?
Talk to a local senior living advisor for free — they'll help you understand costs, benefits, and options in your area.