How Much Does Assisted Living Cost?
The national median is $6,200 a month. State medians run from about $4,400 to more than $12,000, and the advertised base rate often leaves out care fees.
The national median cost of assisted living is $6,200 a month, or $74,400 a year, according to the 2025 CareScout/Genworth Cost of Care Survey. State medians range from $4,369 in Mississippi to $12,096 in Hawaii. The base rate a community advertises often excludes charges for higher levels of personal care, memory care and move-in fees.
Medicare does not pay for assisted living, and Medicaid covers it only in part and only in some states. Most families pay privately, so the price matters a great deal. Below are the current figures, the reasons they differ by state, and the charges that get left out of the advertised rate.
What "assisted living" covers
Assisted living means a private or shared apartment or room in a community, with meals, help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing and medication, and staff on site around the clock. Residents need more support than they would have living alone, and less than the skilled nursing care a nursing home provides.
The current national numbers
National medians from the 2025 Cost of Care Survey, a large annual survey of long-term care providers:
Assisted Living
$6,200/month ($74,400/year) for a private one-bedroom unit with basic services.
In-Home Care
$6,673/month for a non-medical caregiver working roughly 44 hours a week.
Adult Day Care
$2,058/month based on 5 days a week. Usually the least expensive option.
Nursing Home (Semi-Private)
$9,581/month ($114,975/year) for licensed institutional care.
The survey does not report memory care separately. Industry sources put it 20% to 30% above standard assisted living, because of higher staffing and specialized training. At the national median, that would be roughly $7,400 to $8,100 a month.
Costs by state
| Lowest-cost states | Monthly median | Highest-cost states | Monthly median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $4,369 | Hawaii | $12,096 |
| Alabama | $4,425 | Alaska | $9,882 |
| Arkansas | $4,637 | Massachusetts | $9,600 |
| North Dakota | $4,729 | Connecticut | $9,118 |
| South Dakota | $4,900 | New Jersey | $8,710 |
Among the largest states, the medians are $5,610 in Florida, $5,666 in Texas, $6,480 in Pennsylvania, $7,000 in California and $7,110 in New York. Our Senior Care Cost Calculator has every state and compares assisted living with home care and adult day care.
Why the cost differs so much by state
Local labor costs
Staffing is the largest expense for an assisted living community, and caregiver wages follow the local cost of living. States with higher minimum wages and tight labor markets, including much of the Northeast and the West Coast, have higher rates.
Real estate and construction costs
Land, construction and property taxes in expensive metro areas are built into the monthly rate, as they are for any housing.
State regulation and staffing ratios
Each state sets its own licensing rules, including minimum staffing and training. Stricter requirements mean more staff hours in every resident's rate.
Rural areas and remoteness
Rural communities can cost less because land and wages are cheaper. Very remote states have the opposite problem: few providers, and high costs to recruit and keep staff. That is a large part of why Alaska and Hawaii are at the top of the table.
What the "base rate" usually doesn't include
- Level-of-care fees. Many communities charge in tiers, and the price rises as a resident needs more help.
- Memory care premiums. A memory care unit typically costs 20% to 30% more than standard assisted living.
- Community or move-in fees. A one-time charge that can run from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
- Second-occupant fees. Couples sharing a unit usually pay extra for the second person.
A "starting at" price is therefore often below what a resident who needs moderate care will pay. Ask each community these questions and get the answers in writing:
- What does the base rate include, and what is charged separately?
- How is my level of care assessed, how often is it reassessed, and what does each level cost?
- How much have rates gone up in each of the last three years?
- What one-time fees are there, and are any refundable?
- If I run out of money, do you accept Medicaid, or would I have to move?
Does Medicare or Medicaid help pay?
Medicare does not pay for assisted living. It treats the room, meals and personal care as custodial care. It still pays for a resident's covered medical care, such as doctor visits, physical therapy and medical equipment.
Medicaid does not pay room and board in assisted living. Many states have a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver that pays for the care services there, for people who would otherwise qualify for nursing home Medicaid. Availability, waitlists and covered services differ by state. See does Medicaid pay for assisted living.
Medicaid covers nursing home care more consistently once a person meets the medical and financial rules. That difference is one reason families compare the two when planning.
Other sources families use: long-term care insurance, VA Aid and Attendance for wartime veterans and surviving spouses, and the proceeds from selling a home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of assisted living in 2026?
The national median is $6,200 a month, about $74,400 a year, for a private one-bedroom unit with basic services, according to the 2025 CareScout/Genworth Cost of Care Survey. State medians range from $4,369 in Mississippi to $12,096 in Hawaii.
Why does assisted living cost so much more in some states?
Local wages, real estate prices, state staffing rules and remoteness account for most of the difference. States in the Northeast and on the West Coast, along with Alaska and Hawaii, run well above the national median. Much of the South and Midwest runs below it.
Does the advertised monthly rate include everything?
Usually not. Many communities charge a base rate for housing and light help, then add fees for higher levels of personal care, medication management or memory care. One-time community or move-in fees are also common.
Does Medicare pay for assisted living?
No. Medicare does not cover room and board or personal care in assisted living, which it treats as custodial care. It still covers a resident's doctor visits, therapy and medical equipment.
Can Medicaid help pay for assisted living?
In many states, yes, usually through a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver. Most waivers pay for care services and not room and board, and availability varies by state.
This article is for general educational purposes and reflects survey data and federal program rules as of October 2026. It is not financial, legal or medical advice. Costs vary by community, provider and level of care. Ask communities for their current rates, and consult a licensed professional about your own situation.