In This Guide
National Median Cost in 2026
The national median of $5,419/month represents a one-bedroom unit in an assisted living community with a standard level of care. Most families pay between $3,500 and $8,000/month depending on location, room type, and individual care needs. Memory care units typically cost 20–30% more than standard assisted living.
Assisted Living Costs by State (2026)
| State | Monthly Median | Annual Cost | vs. National Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $3,748 | $44,976 | -31% |
| Alaska | $9,266 | $111,192 | +71% |
| Arizona | $4,500 | $54,000 | -17% |
| Arkansas | $3,748 | $44,976 | -31% |
| California | $6,000 | $72,000 | +11% |
| Colorado | $5,100 | $61,200 | -6% |
| Connecticut | $6,567 | $78,804 | +21% |
| Delaware | $5,750 | $69,000 | +6% |
| Florida | $4,500 | $54,000 | -17% |
| Georgia | $3,500 | $42,000 | -35% |
| Hawaii | $5,750 | $69,000 | +6% |
| Idaho | $4,158 | $49,896 | -23% |
| Illinois | $5,100 | $61,200 | -6% |
| Indiana | $4,025 | $48,300 | -26% |
| Iowa | $4,167 | $50,004 | -23% |
| Kansas | $4,250 | $51,000 | -22% |
| Kentucky | $3,748 | $44,976 | -31% |
| Louisiana | $3,600 | $43,200 | -34% |
| Maine | $5,765 | $69,180 | +6% |
| Maryland | $5,500 | $66,000 | +1% |
| Massachusetts | $6,750 | $81,000 | +25% |
| Michigan | $4,250 | $51,000 | -22% |
| Minnesota | $4,800 | $57,600 | -11% |
| Mississippi | $2,844 | $34,128 | -48% |
| Missouri | $3,748 | $44,976 | -31% |
| Montana | $4,498 | $53,976 | -17% |
| Nebraska | $4,750 | $57,000 | -12% |
| Nevada | $4,350 | $52,200 | -20% |
| New Hampshire | $6,188 | $74,256 | +14% |
| New Jersey | $6,418 | $77,016 | +18% |
| New Mexico | $4,100 | $49,200 | -24% |
| New York | $5,611 | $67,332 | +4% |
| North Carolina | $4,200 | $50,400 | -23% |
| North Dakota | $4,398 | $52,776 | -19% |
| Ohio | $4,635 | $55,620 | -14% |
| Oklahoma | $3,998 | $47,976 | -26% |
| Oregon | $5,500 | $66,000 | +1% |
| Pennsylvania | $4,750 | $57,000 | -12% |
| Rhode Island | $6,113 | $73,356 | +13% |
| South Carolina | $3,800 | $45,600 | -30% |
| South Dakota | $4,183 | $50,196 | -23% |
| Tennessee | $4,105 | $49,260 | -24% |
| Texas | $4,500 | $54,000 | -17% |
| Utah | $4,000 | $48,000 | -26% |
| Vermont | $6,300 | $75,600 | +16% |
| Virginia | $5,250 | $63,000 | -3% |
| Washington | $6,250 | $75,000 | +15% |
| West Virginia | $3,700 | $44,400 | -32% |
| Wisconsin | $4,750 | $57,000 | -12% |
| Wyoming | $4,500 | $54,000 | -17% |
Sources: Genworth 2025 Cost of Care Survey, projected to 2026 using 3% annual inflation. Figures represent median monthly base rates for a one-bedroom unit in a licensed assisted living community. Actual costs vary by facility quality, location within the state, and individual care needs.
What’s Included — and What Costs Extra
Typically Included in Base Rate
- Private or semi-private room with utilities
- Three meals per day plus snacks
- Housekeeping and laundry
- Transportation to medical appointments
- 24-hour staffing and emergency response
- Social and recreational activities
- Basic medication management (reminders)
Common Add-On Charges
- Personal care assistance (bathing, dressing, grooming): $500–$2,000+/month depending on needs
- Medication administration (staff administering medications): $200–$600/month
- Incontinence care: $300–$800/month
- Memory care / secured unit: 20–30% premium above standard rate
- Physical therapy, occupational therapy: billed separately (often covered by Medicare Part B)
- Second occupant in same room: typically $1,000–$2,000/month
What Drives the Cost Differences
The gap between a $2,800/month facility in Mississippi and a $9,000/month facility in Alaska isn’t arbitrary. The main drivers:
- State labor costs and regulations — States with higher minimum wages, stricter staffing ratios, and more licensing requirements have higher costs built in.
- Real estate costs — Land and construction costs directly affect facility overhead, particularly in coastal and urban markets.
- Urban vs. rural — A facility in downtown San Francisco costs dramatically more than a comparable facility 90 minutes inland.
- Facility type and amenities — Purpose-built luxury communities with concierge services, resort-style amenities, and premium dining cost far more than smaller, simpler residential care homes.
- Level of care — A resident requiring minimal assistance costs less than one needing help with multiple activities of daily living.
How Families Pay for Assisted Living
Private Pay (Personal Savings and Income)
The majority of assisted living is paid out of pocket—from retirement savings, Social Security, pension income, and investment income. Many families also use proceeds from selling a parent’s home to fund assisted living costs.
Long-Term Care Insurance
Policies purchased before a diagnosis can cover a daily or monthly benefit for assisted living, often $150–$300/day. If your parent has an LTC policy, review the benefit triggers, elimination period, and maximum benefit. Many older policies have inflation protection that has made them increasingly valuable.
Veterans Benefits (Aid & Attendance)
Veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for the VA Aid & Attendance benefit — up to $2,700/month for a veteran and spouse in 2026 — specifically to help pay for assisted living or in-home care. This benefit is underutilized and doesn’t require service-connected disability.
Medicaid (Waiver Programs)
Medicaid does not typically cover standard assisted living, but many states have Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs that can help fund assisted living for low-income seniors. Eligibility, coverage limits, and waitlists vary enormously by state. This route requires advance planning—waitlists in some states run 2–5 years.
Bridge Loans and Senior Living Loans
When a parent is moving to assisted living but their home hasn’t sold yet, bridge loans allow families to cover the initial months of assisted living costs against the home’s equity. Several companies specialize in this type of short-term financing for senior transitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare pay for assisted living?
No. Medicare does not cover assisted living. Medicare covers skilled nursing facility care for up to 100 days after a qualifying hospital stay, but this is short-term rehabilitation—not ongoing residential care. Assisted living is funded privately, through long-term care insurance, VA benefits, or, in some cases, Medicaid waiver programs.
How long do people typically stay in assisted living?
The average length of stay in assisted living is approximately 22 months, though this varies widely. Some residents stay for years; others transition to memory care or skilled nursing as their needs increase. Planning financially for 2–4 years of assisted living is a reasonable baseline, while having a contingency plan for longer stays.
What is the difference between assisted living and a nursing home?
Assisted living provides housing, meals, and personal care assistance for people who need help with daily activities but don’t require around-the-clock skilled medical care. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24-hour medical care and are appropriate for people recovering from surgery or illness, or with complex medical needs. Nursing homes cost significantly more — a median of $9,000–$10,000/month for a semi-private room in 2026.
Can a couple live together in assisted living?
Yes. Most assisted living communities accommodate couples, either in a larger apartment or with two separate rooms. When one spouse needs significantly more care than the other, the higher-needs spouse may be assessed at a higher care tier — meaning the couple pays different rates. Some communities offer a “second occupant” rate to accommodate couples with different care needs in the same unit.
How do I know if a facility’s price is reasonable?
Compare at least 3–5 facilities in the same geographic area for similar room types and care levels. Use free resources like A Place for Mom, Medicare’s Care Compare tool, and your state’s long-term care ombudsman website. The lowest price is not always the best value — compare staffing ratios, inspection records, and resident and family reviews alongside cost.
