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Medical / Senior Care CareScout 2025 Data

Assisted Living Cost Calculator 2026

Estimate assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing costs by state, care type, and room. Includes savings runway projection, VA Aid & Attendance estimator, Medicaid screening, facility comparison, and care transition modeling.

Data: CareScout 2025 · VA.gov · CMS Verified: October 2026 Reviewed by: Sarah Chen
Important: This is an educational planning tool, not a facility quote, financial advice, or government benefits determination. Actual facility pricing varies. CostPrism is not affiliated with any care facility, government agency, or insurance company. Full disclaimer.
Assisted living cost planning — compare care types and estimate costs by state

Estimate Your Assisted Living Cost

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Step 1: Location

Cost varies by more than 2× between states. State median data from CareScout 2025 survey.

Compare Facility Quotes

Enter quotes from up to 3 facilities to compare 5-year total cost of care.

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Assisted Living Cost by Care Type (2026)

National cost benchmarks from the CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey (25,000+ providers surveyed July–November 2025).

Care Type Monthly Annual Source Confidence
Independent Living$3,250$39,000CostPrism est. (NIC data)Moderate
Assisted Living$6,200$74,400CareScout 2025 medianHigh
Memory Care$8,060$96,720CostPrism est. (1.30× AL)Moderate
Skilled Nursing (Semi-Private)$9,581$114,972CareScout 2025 medianHigh
Skilled Nursing (Private Room)$10,798$129,576CareScout 2025 medianHigh
In-Home Care (hourly)$35/hrvariesCareScout 2025 medianHigh

CareScout surveyed 25,000+ providers July–November 2025; results released March 2026. Values are medians, not averages. Memory care and independent living are CostPrism estimates.

Assisted Living Cost by State (2026)

State-level median monthly costs for assisted living, based on CareScout 2025 data.

Most Expensive States

  • Alaska — $9,882/month
  • Massachusetts — $9,600/month
  • DC — $9,198/month
  • Connecticut — $9,118/month
  • New Jersey — $8,710/month

Most Affordable States

  • Mississippi — $4,369/month
  • Alabama — $4,425/month
  • Arkansas — $4,650/month
  • Oklahoma — $4,650/month
  • West Virginia — $4,650/month

The cost difference between the cheapest (MS: $4,369) and most expensive (AK: $9,882) states exceeds 2×. State factors are applied to national benchmarks for care types where CareScout does not publish a state-specific median.

How to Pay for Assisted Living

Private Pay (Most Common)

Savings, retirement accounts, home equity, family contributions. This is the primary funding source for ~53% of assisted living residents.

Medicaid HCBS Waivers

State-specific. Covers care services (not room/board). Income limit: ~$2,982/month. Assets: $2,000. Wait lists common. 5-year look-back.

Long-Term Care Insurance

Pays $100–$500/day for 2–10 years. Most cost-effective when purchased before age 65. IRS 2026 per diem limit: $430/day.

VA Aid & Attendance

For wartime veterans/spouses. Up to $2,424/month (veteran) or $1,558/month (surviving spouse). Income/asset limits apply.

Life Insurance Conversion

Some life insurance policies can be converted to long-term care benefits. Accelerated death benefits or life settlements may also be options.

Bridge Loans / HECM

Home equity conversion mortgage (reverse mortgage) can fund care for homeowners 62+. Bridge loans cover costs while selling a home.

What Does Assisted Living Include?

Typically Included

  • Housing (private or semi-private room)
  • Three meals daily + snacks
  • Personal care assistance (bathing, dressing)
  • Medication reminders
  • Housekeeping & linen service
  • Social activities & programs
  • Emergency call system

Typically Extra Cost / Not Included

  • Medication management ($550/mo)
  • Incontinence care ($350/mo)
  • Physical/occupational therapy ($400/mo)
  • Non-emergency transportation ($200/mo)
  • Personal laundry ($100/mo)
  • Companion services ($300/mo)
  • Community/entrance fee ($1,500–$5,000 one-time)

Questions to Ask When Touring Facilities

  • What is the all-in monthly cost for the room type and care level I need?
  • What is NOT included in the base rate? What are all additional fees?
  • How often do rates increase, and what was the increase for the last 3 years?
  • What is the staff-to-resident ratio during day, evening, and overnight shifts?
  • Is there a nurse on-site 24/7, or on call? What are the nursing qualifications?
  • What is your discharge policy? Under what conditions must a resident leave?
  • Is the community fee refundable if the resident leaves within 30/60/90 days?
  • What happens if my care needs increase — can I stay, and what are the additional costs?
  • Do you accept Medicaid? If so, for how many beds, and is there a wait list?
  • What is the policy for residents who run out of private-pay funds?

Find & Compare Assisted Living Facilities

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does assisted living cost per month in 2026?
The national median assisted living cost is $6,200/month ($74,400/year) according to the CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey (25,000+ providers surveyed). Costs vary dramatically by state — Mississippi is the lowest at $4,369/month while Massachusetts is the highest at $9,600/month. Memory care costs approximately 30% more ($8,060/month national estimate). These are medians, not averages — actual facility pricing depends on room type, care level, services, and location.
Does Medicare cover assisted living?
Medicare does NOT cover long-term assisted living, memory care, or custodial care. Medicare Part A covers skilled nursing facility (SNF) care for up to 100 days following a qualifying 3-day hospital stay, and only for specific rehabilitation or medical needs — not custodial care. The primary funding sources for assisted living are: private pay (savings, home equity, retirement accounts), Medicaid HCBS waivers (for qualifying low-income seniors), long-term care insurance, and VA Aid & Attendance (for qualifying veterans/spouses).
How long will my savings last in assisted living?
At the national median of $6,200/month, savings duration depends on your monthly funding gap (care cost minus income offsets like Social Security, pension, LTC insurance). Example: with $300,000 in savings and a $3,500/month gap after Social Security, your savings would last approximately 6 years and 2 months — less when accounting for 5% annual cost growth. Use the savings runway tool above for a personalized projection based on your financial situation.
What is the difference between assisted living and a nursing home?
Assisted living ($6,200/month median) provides help with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, medication reminders, meals) in a residential setting — residents live in private or semi-private apartments. Skilled nursing facilities/nursing homes ($9,581/month semi-private, $10,798/month private — CareScout 2025) provide 24-hour licensed nursing care for complex medical needs, wound care, IV therapy, and post-surgical rehabilitation. Memory care ($8,060/month estimate) is a specialized secured environment for Alzheimer's and dementia patients with dementia-trained staff.
How does Medicaid pay for assisted living?
Medicaid covers assisted living through Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers in most states. Eligibility requires: income typically below $2,982/month (300% of Federal Benefit Rate) and countable assets below $2,000 (individual). The family home is usually exempt up to $752,000–$1,130,000 in equity. Important: HCBS waivers cover care services but typically NOT room and board — residents contribute most of their income toward room and board costs. Wait lists are common. There is a 5-year look-back period for asset transfers. Consult an elder law attorney for Medicaid planning.
What is the VA Aid & Attendance benefit?
VA Aid & Attendance is a pension benefit for wartime veterans (and surviving spouses) who need help with activities of daily living. The VA pays the difference between your countable income and the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) — it is NOT a flat monthly benefit. 2026 MAPR rates (effective December 2025, 2.8% COLA): Veteran without dependents: $29,093/year ($2,424/month maximum). Veteran with spouse: $34,488/year ($2,874/month). Surviving spouse: $18,697/year ($1,558/month). Unreimbursed medical expenses (including assisted living costs) reduce countable income, potentially increasing the benefit.
What does long-term care insurance cover?
Long-term care (LTC) insurance pays for assisted living, memory care, nursing home, and in-home care when you cannot perform 2 or more Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Typical policies pay $100–$500/day ($3,000–$15,000/month) for 2–10 years after a 0–90 day elimination period. The IRS 2026 per diem limit is $430/day. Premiums are tax-deductible up to age-based limits ($500–$6,200/year depending on age). Policies purchased before age 65 have the most affordable premiums. Hybrid life/LTC policies guarantee a death benefit if LTC benefits are never used.
What are the cheapest and most expensive states for assisted living?
Based on CareScout 2025 data — most affordable: Mississippi ($4,369/month), Alabama ($4,425/month), Arkansas ($4,650/month), Oklahoma ($4,650/month), West Virginia ($4,650/month). Most expensive: Massachusetts ($9,600/month), Alaska ($9,882/month), DC ($9,198/month), Connecticut ($9,118/month), New Jersey ($8,710/month). The cost difference between cheapest and most expensive states exceeds 2×. Some families relocate near a lower-cost state to reduce long-term care expenses.
How much does memory care cost?
Memory care costs approximately $8,060/month nationally (CostPrism estimate at 1.30× the assisted living median — CareScout does not publish a separate memory care median). Memory care provides a secured environment with dementia-trained staff, cognitive therapy programs, and 24-hour supervision for Alzheimer's and dementia patients. This is $1,860/month (30%) more than standard assisted living. Planning for a potential transition from assisted living to memory care is critical — approximately 40–50% of assisted living residents eventually need memory care services.
What additional costs should I expect beyond the base rate?
Beyond the base monthly rate, common additional costs include: medication management ($550/month for full dispensing and tracking), incontinence care ($350/month for supplies and staff assistance), physical/occupational therapy ($400/month, may partially bill through Medicare Part B), transportation ($200/month for non-emergency medical appointments), personal laundry ($100/month), and personal companion services ($300/month). Community/entrance fees are a one-time charge of $1,500–$5,000 (median $3,000). Care level surcharges add $0–$2,500/month depending on the level of daily assistance needed.
When is it time to transition to assisted living?
Common indicators: (1) Safety concerns — frequent falls, leaving appliances on, wandering or getting lost. (2) Declining self-care — difficulty bathing, dressing, preparing meals. (3) Medication mismanagement — missing doses or taking incorrect amounts. (4) Social isolation — limited contact, declining mental health. (5) Caregiver burnout — family caregivers experiencing health or relationship strain. (6) Weight loss — inability to shop, cook, or eat regularly. The average age of assisted living residents is 85. Most facilities have wait lists of 3–12 months for preferred rooms — planning ahead provides more options.
How do assisted living costs increase over time?
Assisted living costs have increased approximately 4–7% annually in recent years (2024 saw ~10% increases). The CareScout 2025 survey showed a 5% increase from the prior year. At 5% annual growth, a $6,200/month cost today becomes $7,920/month in 5 years and $10,099/month in 10 years — a 63% total increase. For a 5-year stay starting at $6,200/month, cumulative cost with 5% annual growth is approximately $411,000 (vs. $372,000 at a flat rate). Factoring inflation into your savings plan is essential.
Is in-home care cheaper than assisted living?
It depends on care hours needed. At the national median hourly rate of $35/hour (CareScout 2025): 20 hours/week = $3,033/month (cheaper than AL, but no housing/meals included). 40 hours/week = $6,067/month (roughly equal to AL, but no housing/meals). 24/7 care (168 hrs/week) = $25,480/month (far more expensive). In-home care does NOT include housing, meals, utilities, home maintenance, or social activities. For seniors needing 30+ hours/week of care, assisted living facilities are typically more cost-effective when total costs (including housing) are compared.
How long will $100,000 last in assisted living?
At the national median of $6,200/month with no income offsets, $100,000 covers approximately 16 months (1 year 4 months). With $1,800/month Social Security reducing the gap to $4,400/month, it lasts about 23 months. At memory care rates ($8,060/month), $100,000 covers only 12 months without income offsets. These estimates assume flat costs — with 5% annual cost growth, the actual runway is 5–10% shorter. Use the savings runway calculator above for a projection based on your specific income, benefits, and assumptions.
How much does assisted living cost for couples?
For couples, shared-room arrangements typically cost 60–75% more than a single resident, not double. The median second-person fee is approximately $1,500/month (CostPrism estimate). Example: if assisted living for one person is $6,200/month, a couple sharing a room might pay approximately $7,700/month ($6,200 + $1,500 second-person fee) — saving approximately $4,700/month compared to two separate rooms at $12,400/month. If one person needs assisted living and the other needs independent living or memory care, costs must be calculated separately for each care level.
Can assisted living fees be negotiated?
Some fees may have limited flexibility, particularly: (1) Community/entrance fees — some facilities reduce or waive these for immediate move-in or during lower-occupancy periods. (2) Rate-lock periods — ask whether the facility offers a guaranteed rate for 12–24 months. (3) Move-in timing — facilities may offer concessions when they have vacant units. However, base care rates at most facilities are relatively standardized. The most effective cost strategy is comparing 3–5 facilities in your area to find the best value, rather than negotiating at a single facility. Always ask for the complete fee schedule in writing before signing a contract.
Does long-term care insurance cover assisted living?
Yes — long-term care (LTC) insurance is specifically designed to cover assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and in-home care. Benefits are triggered when the insured cannot independently perform 2 or more Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) or has severe cognitive impairment. Typical policies pay $100–$500/day ($3,000–$15,000/month). Most policies have a 30–90 day elimination period before benefits begin. The IRS 2026 per diem limit is $430/day for tax-qualified policies. Hybrid life/LTC policies guarantee a death benefit if care is never needed. Policies purchased before age 65 have significantly lower premiums than at older ages.
What should I ask a facility before signing a contract?
Essential questions: (1) What is the all-in monthly cost for my care level and room type? (2) What services are NOT included in the base rate? (3) What were the rate increases for each of the last 3 years? (4) What is the staff-to-resident ratio during day, evening, and overnight? (5) Is there a licensed nurse on-site 24/7? (6) What is the discharge policy — under what conditions must a resident leave? (7) Is the community fee refundable within 30/60/90 days? (8) What happens if care needs increase beyond what the facility can provide? (9) Does the facility accept Medicaid, and what happens if a resident transitions from private pay to Medicaid? (10) Can I review the state inspection report?

Methodology & Data Sources

Cost Benchmarks

Assisted living, skilled nursing, and in-home care costs are based on the CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey, which surveyed 25,000+ providers across the US from July–November 2025 (results released March 2026). The $6,200/month national figure is the published median, not an average.

Source Hierarchy

Data priority: (1) CareScout published medians (highest confidence), (2) VA.gov rates (official government data), (3) CMS/Medicaid.gov thresholds (official), (4) CostPrism modeled estimates (clearly labeled with methodology).

Where Estimates Are Modeled

  • Room-type multipliers (0.75×–1.20×) are CostPrism planning assumptions
  • Memory care at 1.30× assisted living is a CostPrism estimate — CareScout does not publish a separate memory care median
  • Independent living cost is a CostPrism estimate based on NIC senior housing data
  • Care level surcharges ($0–$2,500/month) are CostPrism planning assumptions
  • Additional service fees are CostPrism estimates based on industry surveys

Data Sources

  • CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey — primary cost benchmarks (25,000+ providers)
  • VA.gov — Aid & Attendance pension rates (effective December 2025, 2.8% COLA)
  • CMS / Medicaid.gov — Medicaid HCBS waiver thresholds
  • NIC (National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care) — occupancy and pricing trends
  • IRS — LTC insurance per diem limits and premium deduction limits

Limitations

Actual facility pricing depends on room availability, specific care needs, local market conditions, contract structure, and facility quality. This calculator cannot account for individual facility pricing or care assessments. Savings runway projections assume constant drawdown without investment returns, taxes, or unexpected expenses. VA and Medicaid estimates are educational screening tools, not eligibility determinations.

Last Updated

October 2026. Data verified October 4, 2026. Reviewed by Sarah Chen, Medical Cost Specialist.

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Assisted Living Cost by State

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

Disclaimer: CostPrism provides educational cost estimates and planning tools. This calculator does not provide personalized financial, medical, legal, or insurance advice. Estimates are for general informational and planning purposes only and are not facility quotes, Medicaid eligibility determinations, or VA benefits decisions. Actual facility costs vary by location, room availability, care assessment, contract structure, and provider. Consult qualified professionals (elder law attorney, financial advisor, VA-accredited claims agent, state Medicaid agency) for personalized guidance.

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