Cost Reference
What It Costs
National median costs by care setting, state-by-state variation, and what today's costs become in 10, 20, and 30 years at historical inflation rates. All figures from the Genworth/CareScout Cost of Care Survey (2023) unless otherwise noted.
National Median Costs by Care Setting (2023)
| Care Setting | Unit | Median Rate | Full-Time Annual Est. | Annual Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homemaker Services | per hour | $27 | $56,160 | Based on 44 hrs/week, 52 weeks |
| Home Health Aide | per hour | $30 | $62,400 | Based on 44 hrs/week, 52 weeks |
| Adult Day Care | per day | $80 | $20,800 | Based on 5 days/week, 52 weeks |
| Assisted Living (private room) | per month | $5,350 | $64,200 | 12 months |
| Nursing Home — Semi-Private Room | per month | $9,733 | $116,796 | 12 months |
| Nursing Home — Private Room | per month | $11,297 | $135,564 | 12 months |
Source: Genworth/CareScout Cost of Care Survey, 2023. National medians.
Why Costs Vary by State
Long-term care costs are driven primarily by local labor markets, real estate costs, and state regulatory requirements. A home health aide in rural Mississippi may cost $18/hour; the same care in San Francisco or New York City may cost $35–$45/hour. Assisted living costs are also heavily influenced by local real estate values and the competitive density of facilities in a market. States with higher minimum wages and stronger labor protections for care workers tend to have higher costs across all settings. Alaska and Hawaii are consistently the most expensive states; Mississippi, Louisiana, and Missouri are among the least expensive.
State-by-State Median Costs (2023)
| State | Home Health Aide (annual) | Assisted Living (annual) | Nursing Home (annual) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $41,184 | $42,000 | $82,125 |
| Alaska | $76,912 | $84,000 | $304,275 |
| Arizona | $57,200 | $54,000 | $91,980 |
| Arkansas | $41,184 | $36,000 | $62,780 |
| California | $68,640 | $72,000 | $131,400 |
| Colorado | $60,320 | $60,000 | $103,290 |
| Connecticut | $68,640 | $66,000 | $175,215 |
| Delaware | $57,200 | $57,600 | $131,400 |
| Florida | $57,200 | $48,000 | $103,290 |
| Georgia | $46,904 | $42,000 | $82,125 |
| Hawaii | $76,912 | $60,000 | $175,215 |
| Idaho | $52,624 | $42,000 | $82,125 |
| Illinois | $57,200 | $54,000 | $82,125 |
| Indiana | $52,624 | $42,000 | $82,125 |
| Iowa | $46,904 | $42,000 | $72,270 |
| Kansas | $46,904 | $42,000 | $72,270 |
| Kentucky | $46,904 | $36,000 | $72,270 |
| Louisiana | $41,184 | $36,000 | $62,780 |
| Maine | $62,400 | $54,000 | $131,400 |
| Maryland | $57,200 | $60,000 | $131,400 |
| Massachusetts | $68,640 | $72,000 | $175,215 |
| Michigan | $52,624 | $42,000 | $103,290 |
| Minnesota | $62,400 | $54,000 | $103,290 |
| Mississippi | $37,440 | $30,000 | $62,780 |
| Missouri | $46,904 | $36,000 | $62,780 |
| Montana | $52,624 | $42,000 | $82,125 |
| Nebraska | $46,904 | $42,000 | $72,270 |
| Nevada | $57,200 | $48,000 | $91,980 |
| New Hampshire | $62,400 | $60,000 | $131,400 |
| New Jersey | $62,400 | $72,000 | $131,400 |
| New Mexico | $46,904 | $42,000 | $82,125 |
| New York | $76,912 | $60,000 | $175,215 |
| North Carolina | $46,904 | $48,000 | $82,125 |
| North Dakota | $52,624 | $42,000 | $82,125 |
| Ohio | $52,624 | $42,000 | $82,125 |
| Oklahoma | $41,184 | $36,000 | $62,780 |
| Oregon | $62,400 | $60,000 | $103,290 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,624 | $48,000 | $103,290 |
| Rhode Island | $62,400 | $60,000 | $131,400 |
| South Carolina | $46,904 | $42,000 | $72,270 |
| South Dakota | $46,904 | $42,000 | $72,270 |
| Tennessee | $46,904 | $42,000 | $72,270 |
| Texas | $46,904 | $42,000 | $62,780 |
| Utah | $52,624 | $42,000 | $82,125 |
| Vermont | $62,400 | $54,000 | $131,400 |
| Virginia | $52,624 | $54,000 | $91,980 |
| Washington | $68,640 | $60,000 | $103,290 |
| West Virginia | $41,184 | $36,000 | $72,270 |
| Wisconsin | $57,200 | $48,000 | $91,980 |
| Wyoming | $52,624 | $42,000 | $82,125 |
Source: Genworth/CareScout Cost of Care Survey, 2023. Figures are annual medians; home health aide based on 44 hrs/week.
What Today's Costs Become Over Time
Long-term care costs have historically grown at approximately 3% per year — faster than general CPI inflation in most years. The table below shows what today's national median nursing home cost ($9,733/month) becomes at 3% annual inflation over 10, 20, and 30 years. The same logic applies to all care settings.
| Time Horizon | Home Aide (hr) | Assisted Living (mo) | Nursing Home (mo) | Nursing Home (annual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today (2026) | $30 | $5,350 | $9,733 | $116,796 |
| 10 years (2036) | $40 | $7,190 | $13,090 | $157,080 |
| 20 years (2046) | $54 | $9,660 | $17,590 | $211,080 |
| 30 years (2056) | $73 | $12,980 | $23,640 | $283,680 |
Educational resource only. This site is educational only and is not financial, tax, legal, or insurance advice. Last updated: October 2026.