Cost of Senior Living by State (2026)
Median monthly costs for every level of senior care in all 50 states, from published national surveys. Use the table to compare states, then open a state for locally adjusted metro estimates and ranked communities.
Median monthly cost by state
Published survey medians. Click a state for metro-level estimates and every evaluated community there.
| State | Independent living | Assisted living | Memory care | Nursing home (semi-private) | Nursing home (private) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $3,654 | $10,198 | $12,982 | $30,371 | $30,371 |
| Alabama | $2,565 | $4,572 | $5,461 | $8,152 | $8,517 |
| Arkansas | $2,900 | $4,724 | $6,000 | $7,148 | $7,711 |
| Arizona | $2,603 | $6,370 | $5,833 | $7,604 | $10,494 |
| California | $3,500 | $7,350 | $6,850 | $11,695 | $15,178 |
| Colorado | $3,250 | $5,877 | $7,270 | $10,038 | $11,650 |
| Connecticut | $3,700 | $8,955 | $9,273 | $15,056 | $16,577 |
| Washington, D.C. | $5,618 | $9,640 | $8,455 | $8,167 | $16,699 |
| Delaware | $4,200 | $8,558 | $8,005 | $14,174 | $14,889 |
| Florida | $3,285 | $5,324 | $5,495 | $10,342 | $11,558 |
| Georgia | $2,900 | $4,940 | $5,000 | $8,821 | $9,429 |
| Hawaii | $4,795 | $11,311 | $9,547 | $15,087 | $16,364 |
| Iowa | $2,659 | $5,184 | $6,900 | $8,927 | $9,657 |
| Idaho | $2,915 | $4,600 | $5,968 | $10,068 | $10,707 |
| Illinois | $2,900 | $5,836 | $7,495 | $7,908 | $9,125 |
| Indiana | $2,528 | $5,365 | $6,600 | $8,486 | $10,357 |
| Kansas | $2,808 | $5,950 | $7,250 | $7,756 | $8,517 |
| Kentucky | $2,855 | $4,900 | $6,178 | $8,730 | $9,946 |
| Louisiana | $2,340 | $5,100 | $5,075 | $7,482 | $7,604 |
| Massachusetts | $4,099 | $9,058 | $9,840 | $14,448 | $15,543 |
| Maryland | $3,998 | $7,082 | $7,885 | $12,501 | $14,448 |
| Maine | $3,400 | $7,988 | $9,503 | $12,927 | $13,885 |
| Michigan | $2,600 | $6,040 | $5,949 | $10,646 | $11,574 |
| Minnesota | $2,645 | $5,825 | $7,880 | $12,167 | $14,068 |
| Missouri | $2,997 | $5,150 | $6,638 | $6,357 | $7,148 |
| Mississippi | $2,840 | $4,445 | $5,580 | $9,642 | $9,885 |
| Montana | $2,509 | $6,134 | $8,238 | $9,064 | $9,429 |
| North Carolina | $3,550 | $6,354 | $7,113 | $8,821 | $9,885 |
| North Dakota | $3,895 | $5,335 | $10,100 | $8,882 | $9,672 |
| Nebraska | $3,456 | $5,118 | $6,775 | $8,380 | $10,038 |
| New Hampshire | $3,450 | $7,431 | $8,695 | $12,471 | $13,140 |
| New Jersey | $4,000 | $8,548 | $9,665 | $12,380 | $14,357 |
| New Mexico | $3,175 | $6,162 | $5,492 | $9,764 | $10,707 |
| Nevada | $3,673 | $6,110 | $7,400 | $11,209 | $12,790 |
| New York | $3,379 | $6,300 | $8,250 | $14,722 | $15,558 |
| Ohio | $2,798 | $5,500 | $6,798 | $9,034 | $10,038 |
| Oklahoma | $2,724 | $4,822 | $7,150 | $6,448 | $7,604 |
| Oregon | $3,250 | $7,312 | $8,190 | $15,817 | $17,094 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,229 | $6,100 | $7,050 | $11,832 | $12,958 |
| Rhode Island | $4,675 | $7,038 | $7,100 | $11,406 | $12,699 |
| South Carolina | $2,995 | $5,200 | $5,050 | $8,958 | $9,536 |
| South Dakota | $2,249 | $4,350 | $5,545 | $8,821 | $9,338 |
| Tennessee | $2,866 | $5,358 | $5,900 | $9,125 | $9,855 |
| Texas | $2,895 | $5,250 | $6,673 | $5,475 | $7,087 |
| Utah | $2,790 | $4,685 | $4,806 | $8,365 | $10,646 |
| Virginia | $3,495 | $6,512 | $7,125 | $8,669 | $9,825 |
| Vermont | $5,650 | $7,872 | $11,195 | $13,688 | $15,208 |
| Washington | $3,565 | $6,975 | $8,000 | $12,714 | $13,840 |
| Wisconsin | $2,319 | $6,150 | $6,833 | $10,068 | $11,254 |
| West Virginia | $3,315 | $5,600 | $7,345 | $12,471 | $12,866 |
| Wyoming | $2,893 | $4,700 | $8,200 | $9,916 | $10,326 |
Senior living costs: common questions
How much does assisted living cost in 2026?
The national median cost of assisted living is about $5,900 per month in 2026, based on published national survey medians. State medians range from about $4,350 in South Dakota to about $11,311 in Hawaii. The full state-by-state table is on this page.
What are the cheapest states for assisted living?
By published survey medians, the least expensive states for assisted living in 2026 are South Dakota (about $4,350/month), Mississippi (about $4,445/month), Alabama (about $4,572/month). The most expensive are Hawaii (about $11,311/month), Alaska (about $10,198/month), Washington, D.C. (about $9,640/month).
How much does memory care cost compared to assisted living?
Memory care runs about $6,690 per month nationally in 2026 — roughly 13% more than assisted living ($5,900/month) — because of secured environments and specialized dementia staffing.
How much does a nursing home cost per month?
A semi-private skilled nursing room has a national median of about $9,277 per month in 2026, and a private room about $10,646 per month. Skilled nursing costs more than assisted living because it provides 24/7 licensed medical care.
Does Medicare pay for assisted living?
No — Medicare does not cover room and board in assisted living or memory care. It can cover certain medical services a resident receives, and short rehab stays in a skilled nursing facility after a qualifying hospital stay. Many states offer Medicaid waivers that help eligible seniors pay for care services in assisted living; long-term-care insurance and VA Aid & Attendance are other common sources. Always verify eligibility with the program directly.
What will care cost for your family?
Answer a few questions and a free local advisor will send real pricing for communities that fit your budget and care needs.
Take the free 2-minute assessment →Sources: Genworth/CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2024 (assisted living, skilled nursing semi-private and private; fielded Jul-Dec 2024, published Mar 2025) | A Place for Mom 2026 Cost of Long-Term Care report (memory care; 2025 move-in data, published Feb 2026) | A Place for Mom 2025 report (independent living; 2024 move-in data) | SeniorLiving.org 2026 state tables (Alaska memory care and Alaska independent living backfills only) | BEA Regional Price Parities 2008-2024, last updated 2026-02-19. Figures are statewide medians; actual pricing varies by community, residence type, and care needs. Metro pages on Haven adjust these medians using federal (BEA) regional price data — methodology.