Assisted Living Cost in Texas
2026 monthly rates for all care levels in Texas — assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing
Private studio rates. Semi-private rooms run 10–20% less. Costs vary by facility location and amenities.
Texas Assisted Living Cost Calculator
Texas Senior Care Costs by Care Level (2026)
| Care Level / Room | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Independent living (private studio) | $2,958/mo | $35,496/yr |
| Assisted living (private studio) | $5,666/mo | $67,992/yr |
| Memory care (Alzheimer's/dementia) | $7,366/mo | $88,392/yr |
| Skilled nursing (semi-private) | $7,411/mo | $88,934/yr |
| Skilled nursing (private room) | $8,719/mo | $104,628/yr |
| Home health aide (alternative) | $3,683/mo | $44,195/yr |
Private room rates. Shared/semi-private rooms cost 10–20% less. Costs vary by specific facility location, amenities, and level of individual care needs.
How to Pay for Assisted Living in Texas
At $5,666/month ($67,992/year), most families combine multiple funding sources. Here are your options:
Private Pay (Most Common)
Out-of-pocket payment from personal savings, retirement accounts, Social Security, and pension income. The most common approach for the first 2–3 years. Social Security averages $1,907/month — leaving a $$3,759 monthly gap for median Texas assisted living at $5,666/month.
Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI)
Purchased before age 65 for $2,000–$4,000/year, LTCI typically covers $150–$300/day of care costs. For a Texas policyholder with $200/day coverage, that's $6,000/month toward your $5,666/month cost. Over 5 years, LTCI could offset approximately $203,976 in costs. Best purchased at age 55–65 before health issues make coverage unavailable.
Medicaid (Texas)
STAR+PLUS waiver covers assisted living. No waitlist (unlike most states). Income limit ~$2,800/mo. Asset limit: $2,000.
VA Aid & Attendance Benefit
Veterans who served 90+ days of active duty (at least 1 day during wartime) and need help with daily activities may qualify for VA Aid & Attendance — up to $2,424/month (single veteran) or $2,874/month (married veteran). This benefit is tax-free and can be used for Texas assisted living. Contact the Texas Department of Veterans Affairs or a VA-accredited claims agent (free service).
Life Insurance Conversion
Existing life insurance policies can fund senior care in three ways: (1) Accelerated Death Benefits — many policies allow tax-free early access to the death benefit for chronic illness care; (2) Life settlements — sell your policy for 20–50% of face value to an investor; (3) Life Insurance conversion programs — some states have programs that convert policies into long-term care benefits. A licensed senior financial advisor can evaluate your policy's options.
Home Equity
For Texas homeowners, a HECM reverse mortgage converts home equity into tax-free monthly income without selling the home. A HECM (Home Equity Conversion Mortgage) reverse mortgage allows homeowners 62+ to convert home equity into monthly income — no monthly payments required during their lifetime. A HELOC or home sale proceeds can also bridge 2–5 years of care while other benefits are arranged. Consult a HUD-approved housing counselor for guidance specific to Texas.
Assisted Living in Texas: What Families Need to Know
Texas offers more affordable assisted living than most large states, with the state median around $5,666/month. Major metro areas (Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio) see rates 10–25% above this median. Rural Texas and smaller cities offer significantly lower costs — some rural facilities run $4,000–$4,800/month.
Planning Tip for Texas Families
Texas's STAR+PLUS Medicaid waiver program covers assisted living for qualifying seniors. Texas does NOT have a Medicaid waitlist (unlike many states) — if you're eligible, coverage begins quickly. Texas also has a robust network of adult day programs that can delay facility placement significantly.
STAR+PLUS waiver covers assisted living. No waitlist (unlike most states). Income limit ~$2,800/mo. Asset limit: $2,000.
Texas has 8 Texas State Veterans Homes and the nation's largest VA network. Aid & Attendance: up to $2,424/month.
How Long Will Your Savings Last? (Texas Assisted Living at $5,666/mo)
| Savings Available | Runway (Assisted) | Runway (Memory Care) |
|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | 17 months (1.5 yrs) | 13 months (1.1 yrs) |
| $200,000 | 35 months (2.9 yrs) | 27 months (2.3 yrs) |
| $300,000 | 52 months (4.4 yrs) | 40 months (3.4 yrs) |
| $500,000 | 88 months (7.4 yrs) | 67 months (5.7 yrs) |
| $750,000 | 132 months (11.0 yrs) | 101 months (8.5 yrs) |
Does not account for 3–5% annual cost increases. At 3% annual inflation, actual runway is 10–15% shorter than shown.
Find Assisted Living Facilities in Texas
A Place for Mom provides free, personalized guidance to compare assisted living facilities near you in Texas. Senior care advisors are available 24/7 and there is no cost to families.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does assisted living cost per month in Texas?
Assisted living in Texas has a median cost of $5,666/month for a private studio (9% below the national median of $6,200/month). Memory care costs $7,366/month and skilled nursing runs $8,719/month. Costs vary by specific facility, location within Texas, and level of individual care needs.
Does Medicare pay for assisted living in Texas?
No — Medicare does not cover long-term assisted living costs. Medicare Part A covers skilled nursing facility care only for up to 100 days following a qualifying hospital stay for specific medical recovery needs. Medicaid covers assisted living for eligible low-income seniors in Texas. Other funding sources: long-term care insurance, VA Aid & Attendance benefit (for veterans), personal savings, and family contributions.
How long will $200,000 last in an assisted living facility in Texas?
At $Texas's median of $5,666/month, $200,000 lasts approximately 35 months (2.9 years). At memory care rates ($7,366/month), it covers 27 months. Factor in 3–5% annual cost increases — actual runway is typically 10–15% shorter than a flat-rate calculation. Planning for 3–5 years of care costs plus a contingency is recommended.
Does Medicaid cover assisted living in Texas?
STAR+PLUS waiver covers assisted living. No waitlist (unlike most states). Income limit ~$2,800/mo. Asset limit: $2,000.
What is the difference between assisted living and memory care in Texas?
Assisted living in Texas ($5,666/month) provides housing, meals, and help with daily activities for seniors who need some support but not 24-hour nursing care. Memory care ($7,366/month) is specialized for Alzheimer's and dementia — secure environments, specialized staff training, and structured programming add approximately 30% to the cost. Most Texas memory care residents need this level from mid-stage dementia onward.
Texas 2026 Rates
- Assisted living
- $5,666/mo
- Memory care
- $7,366/mo
- Skilled nursing
- $8,719/mo
- Independent living
- $2,958/mo
- vs. national median
- -9%
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Assisted living, private studio