Senior Care Costs in Tennessee: 2026 State & City Report
An empirical cost analysis of assisted living, memory care, nursing homes, and in-home care across Tennessee. Compare statewide medians directly against national benchmarks and explore top metro pricing across 195 cities.
Tennessee vs. National Cost Benchmarks
CareScout/Genworth Cost of Care Survey statewide medians compared against U.S. national benchmarks.
| Care Category | Tennessee Median | National Median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assisted Living | $5,845/mo | $6,200/mo | -6% below national |
| In-Home Care (Home Health Aide) | $31/hr | $35/hr | -11% below national |
| Nursing Home (Private Room) | $120,456/yr | $129,575/yr | -7% below national |
| Adult Day Care | $80/day | $95/day | -16% below national |
Senior Care Pricing Breakdown by Level of Care in Tennessee
Assisted Living Communities
State Median: $5,845 / month ($70,140 / year)
Assisted living in Tennessee covers private or semi-private living quarters, 24-hour on-site supportive staff, three daily meals, housekeeping, and scheduled social activities. Base rents commonly bundle level-one personal care, with higher acuity tiers (medication management, transfer assistance, continence care) billed as tiered service fees.
Memory Care & Dementia Facilities
Estimated Median: $7,306 / month ($87,672 / year)
Dedicated memory care communities provide specialized environments for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Facilities feature secured perimeter access, wander-management safety protocols, specialized cognitive therapies, and higher staffing ratios, generally commanding a 20% to 30% premium over standard assisted living.
In-Home Care (Non-Medical & Home Health Aide)
State Median: $31 / hr (Home Health) | $0 / hr (Homemaker)
Home care allows Tennessee seniors to age safely in place. For part-time support (20 hours weekly for companionship, bathing, and meal preparation), monthly expenditures average approximately $2,685. For full-time assistance (44 hours weekly), monthly costs average $5,906, nearing residential community fees.
Skilled Nursing Home Facilities
State Median: $10,038 / mo (Private) | $0 / mo (Semi-Private)
Nursing homes provide round-the-clock clinical supervision, registered nurse administration, wound care, and comprehensive rehabilitative therapy. Private rooms average $120,456 annually, while shared semi-private rooms average $0 annually.
Tennessee Medicaid & Financial Assistance Programs
Paying for senior care in Tennessee frequently requires coordinating private personal savings, long-term care insurance (LTCI), veterans benefits (such as VA Aid & Attendance), and state Medicaid programs.
State Regulatory Authority
Licensed senior living communities, assisted living residences, and nursing facilities in Tennessee are regulated by the Tennessee Department of Health.
The regulator oversees annual safety audits, staffing quotas, and incident investigations.
Medicaid & HCBS Waiver Program
In Tennessee, qualified low-income seniors can seek home and community-based support through the CHOICES in Long-Term Care.
Waivers cover direct caregiving and therapy services, while room and board remain private-pay.
Top 10 Cities in Tennessee for Senior Care
Largest senior care markets in Tennessee ranked by provider inventory with local cost estimates.
| City | Inventory | In-Home Care | Assisted Living | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Memphis | 142 licensed providers | $31/hr | $5,845/mo | View Memphis Costs → |
| #2 Nashville | 99 licensed providers | $31/hr | $5,845/mo | View Nashville Costs → |
| #3 Knoxville | 97 licensed providers | $31/hr | $5,845/mo | View Knoxville Costs → |
| #4 Chattanooga | 66 licensed providers | $31/hr | $5,845/mo | View Chattanooga Costs → |
| #5 Murfreesboro | 39 licensed providers | $31/hr | $5,845/mo | View Murfreesboro Costs → |
| #6 Jackson | 28 licensed providers | $31/hr | $5,845/mo | View Jackson Costs → |
| #7 Johnson City | 28 licensed providers | $31/hr | $5,845/mo | View Johnson City Costs → |
| #8 Kingsport | 27 licensed providers | $31/hr | $5,845/mo | View Kingsport Costs → |
| #9 Franklin | 25 licensed providers | $31/hr | $5,845/mo | View Franklin Costs → |
| #10 Clarksville | 24 licensed providers | $31/hr | $5,845/mo | View Clarksville Costs → |
Tennessee Neighboring States Cost Comparison
Compare senior care affordability across regional neighbor states.
| State | Assisted Living | In-Home Care | Nursing Home (Private) | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $5,528/mo | $33/hr | $135,048/yr | Kentucky Report → |
| Virginia | $6,945/mo | $35/hr | $140,160/yr | Virginia Report → |
| North Carolina | $6,496/mo | $30/hr | $129,576/yr | North Carolina Report → |
| Georgia | $5,300/mo | $32/hr | $113,148/yr | Georgia Report → |
| Alabama | $4,425/mo | $27/hr | $105,444/yr | Alabama Report → |
| Mississippi | $4,369/mo | $24/hr | $118,620/yr | Mississippi Report → |
| Arkansas | $4,637/mo | $25/hr | $96,720/yr | Arkansas Report → |
| Missouri | $5,400/mo | $33/hr | $91,248/yr | Missouri Report → |
Frequently Asked Questions About Senior Care in Tennessee
What is the average cost of assisted living in Tennessee?
According to the 2025 CareScout Cost of Care Survey (published March 2026), the median monthly cost of assisted living in Tennessee is $5,845 per month (approximately $70,140 per year). Actual costs vary depending on resident acuity, apartment size, medication management tiers, and specific geographic location within Tennessee.
How much does in-home senior care cost in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, certified home health aides average $31 per hour, while non-medical homemaker services average $0 per hour. For part-time assistance (20 hours per week), families spend approximately $2,685 per month. Full-time assistance (44 hours per week) averages $5,906 per month.
Does Tennessee Medicaid cover assisted living or nursing home care?
In Tennessee, Medicaid covers skilled nursing home care for medically and financially qualified individuals. For assisted living and in-home care, Tennessee operates Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs, including the CHOICES in Long-Term Care. While waivers help cover care services and case management, room and board charges in assisted living are typically self-pay.
Who regulates licensed senior care facilities in Tennessee?
Licensed senior living communities, memory care facilities, and nursing homes in Tennessee are regulated and inspected by the Tennessee Department of Health. Families can review inspection reports, licensing history, and compliance records before making placement decisions.
Explore Tennessee Providers
Browse licensed senior care communities and agencies across 195 cities in Tennessee.
National Cost Comparison
Compare senior care affordability, state rankings, and provider supply across all 50 states.
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Methodology & Data Sources
This report compiles data from the CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey, published in March 2026. Figures reflect statewide median monthly rates for assisted living (one-bedroom, single-occupancy), memory care, adult day care, and private nursing home rooms, as well as hourly rates for certified in-home non-medical care.
Provider counts and availability statistics are derived from the families.care verified provider directory of licensed state health and human services facilities as of September 2026. Population metrics are calculated using U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates for residents aged 65 and older.
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.
- Cost of Care Survey (2025)Publisher: CareScout. Supports: General senior-care planning information. Last checked: 2026-08-15.
- Skilled nursing facility coveragePublisher: Medicare.gov. Supports: General senior-care planning information. Last checked: 2026-08-15.
- Medicaid coverage and eligibilityPublisher: Medicaid.gov. Supports: General senior-care planning information. Last checked: 2026-07-10.
- Long-term-care guidance for familiesPublisher: National Institute on Aging. Supports: General senior-care planning information. Last checked: 2026-07-10.
- VA pension rates (Aid & Attendance)Publisher: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Supports: General senior-care planning information. Last checked: 2026-08-15.