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Senior Care Cost Calculator

Estimate monthly care costs in your area based on national averages

Key Takeaways

  • Use the interactive calculator to compare senior care costs by care setting, state, and optional ZIP code.
  • Assisted living ($6,200/mo median) and nursing homes ($10,798/mo private room) bill monthly, while in-home care ($35/hr) and adult day care ($95/day) scale with weekly hours.
  • Actual out-of-pocket costs depend on daily care acuity (ADLs), local labor markets, and whether Medicaid waivers, VA Aid & Attendance, or LTC insurance apply.

U.S. National Senior Care Cost Benchmarks (CareScout 2025)

2025 Survey Medians

Compare sticker prices alongside estimated monthly equivalents so hourly, daily, and monthly care settings are easy to evaluate side by side.

Care Type National Median Billing Unit & Monthly Context
Adult Day Health Care
Daytime · Per day
$95 / day
 ~$2,058/month at 5 days/week ($24,700/year). Daytime supervision, meals, activities, and caregiver respite while living at home.
Assisted Living Community
Residential · Monthly
$6,200 / month
 $74,400/year. Apartment housing, daily meals, personal care assistance (ADLs), housekeeping, and 24/7 staff on-site.
In-Home Care (Non-Medical)
At-Home · Hourly
$35 / hour
 ~$3,033/month part-time (20 hrs/wk) or ~$6,673/month full-time (44 hrs/wk · $80,080/year) for bathing, dressing, meals, and errands.
Memory Care (Dementia / Alzheimer's)
Secured · Monthly
$6,200+ / month
 Typically 20–30% above assisted living (~$7,440–$8,060/month) for secured dementia neighborhoods, higher staff ratios, and cognitive care.
Home Health Skilled Nursing
Clinical · Per visit / hr
$90 / hour ($160 / visit)
 Intermittent RN/LPN clinical visits, wound care, and therapy at home. Often covered short-term by Medicare when physician-ordered.
Nursing Home (Semi-Private Room)
24/7 Skilled · Monthly
$9,581 / month
 $114,975/year ($315/day). Shared room with 24/7 licensed nursing, continuous medical monitoring, and rehabilitation therapies.
Nursing Home (Private Room)
24/7 Skilled · Monthly
$10,798 / month
 $129,575/year ($355/day). Private accommodation with round-the-clock skilled nursing and complex clinical care.

Source: CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025 (collected July–November 2025). State and metro medians can run 25% below to 55% above national figures — compare all 50 states →

How to Plan and Budget for Senior Care Costs

Care needs usually evolve from part-time home support to full-time personal or residential care. Use these three steps to build a realistic family budget.

Step 01 · Care Hours & ADLs

Match the setting to daily needs

Count how many Activities of Daily Living (bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, eating, continence) and weekly hours of supervision are needed. Below ~25 hours/week, in-home care or adult day care is usually lowest cost; at 40+ hours/week, assisted living is often comparable or lower.

Step 02 · Local Rate Add-Ons

Look past base monthly rent

State medians range from ~$4,425/mo in the South to $9,600+/mo in New England and Alaska. Ask residential communities for their one-time community fee ($1,500–$5,000), care-level point tiers, medication management fees, and annual rate increases (typically 4–6%).

Step 03 · Stack Funding Sources

Combine private & public benefits

Medicare covers short-term post-hospital rehab (up to 100 days), not ongoing custodial room and board. Most families combine Social Security/pensions, long-term care insurance, home equity, state Medicaid / HCBS waivers, or VA Aid & Attendance.

Not sure which care setting or benefit program fits your family?

Compare care types 50-state cost report Check Medicaid eligibility

Frequently Asked Questions

How are these estimates calculated?

Our estimates are based on published national and state-level averages from the CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025 and similar industry benchmarks. We apply state-level cost multipliers to national median figures. Actual costs vary by provider, location within a state, level of care, and amenities.

Does insurance cover senior care?

Medicare covers short-term skilled nursing and limited home health services but does not cover long-term custodial care. Medicaid may cover nursing home and some home care costs for those who qualify financially. Long-term care insurance, if purchased in advance, can help cover assisted living, nursing home, and in-home care expenses.

What's the difference between nursing home and assisted living?

Nursing homes provide 24/7 medical care and supervision for residents with serious health needs. Assisted living communities offer help with daily activities in a more residential setting, but typically do not provide intensive medical care.

How can I reduce care costs?

Consider combining care types, looking into veterans benefits, Medicaid waiver programs, and local Area Agency on Aging resources. Comparing multiple providers on families.care can also help you find competitive pricing in your area.

How we research and verify this information

Our team compiles this listing from public records and provider data, and reviews it against authoritative sources. Read our editorial standards and research methodology.

Editorial review by John Richie, Senior Care Research Editor.