Calculate Senior Care Costs in 2026
Compare assisted living, nursing home, memory care, and in-home care costs across all 50 states. Plan your savings with inflation-adjusted projections based on Genworth 2026 data.
Compare assisted living, nursing home, memory care, and in-home care costs across all 50 states. Plan your savings with inflation-adjusted projections based on Genworth 2026 data.
Planning for senior care is one of the most important financial decisions American families face. According to the 2026 Genworth Cost of Care Survey—the most authoritative annual study of senior care pricing in the United States—the cost of long-term care continues to rise steadily (use our Monthly Cost Calculator to estimate your state's costs), outpacing general inflation in many regions. For a family with a 65-year-old parent, understanding these costs early can mean the difference between a secure retirement and financial hardship.
Each care type has vastly different cost structures:
Not sure which care type fits your situation? Our LTC Insurance Calculator can help you decide if insurance is worth buying to cover these costs.
A senior in Mississippi may pay $3,200/month for assisted living, while the same level of care in Connecticut or Massachusetts can exceed $7,500/month. Use our State Guides section below to explore costs for all 50 states, including local Medicaid waiver programs and state-specific insurance regulations.
Genworth reports that senior care costs have risen at an average annual rate of 3.2% over the past five years—higher than the general CPI. A care plan that costs $60,000 today could cost over $80,000 in ten years. Our calculators include adjustable inflation assumptions so you can model realistic future scenarios.
Have more questions? Visit our Full FAQ Library for answers to common senior care cost questions.
Data sources: 2026 Genworth Cost of Care Survey; CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services); Administration for Community Living (ACL). All calculations are estimates. Consult a certified financial planner or elder law attorney for personalized advice.
Get an instant monthly, annual, and multi-year cost estimate for any state and care type, with inflation adjustment.
Estimate Costs →Find your savings gap and the exact amount to save each month to cover future care costs.
Plan Savings →Compare assisted living costs by state, room type, and care level to find the right fit and budget.
Assisted Living →Compare nursing home costs across states and care levels. Includes entry fees, daily rates, and memory care add-ons.
Compare Costs →Estimate the daily, weekly, and monthly cost of in-home care based on your state's hourly rate and needed hours.
Calculate Home Care →Memory care typically costs 20–30% more than assisted living. Calculate specialized dementia care costs in your state.
Memory Care Costs →Calculate whether long-term care insurance is worth it. Compare premiums paid vs. payout and find your break-even point.
Open Calculator →Planning to retire to another state? Calculate the total cost of a cross-state move, including movers and tax differences.
Calculate Move Cost →Compare senior care costs side by side across multiple states to find the most affordable place to retire.
Compare States →Understand what Medicare and Medicaid actually cover for senior care. Estimate your out-of-pocket costs after assistance.
Check Coverage →Click any state on the map or select from the dropdown to see 2026 senior care cost data, state Medicaid rules, and local insurance info.
The national median cost for assisted living in 2026 is $5,511 per month ($66,132/year), according to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey. However, costs vary dramatically by state: Alabama averages $3,250/month while Alaska exceeds $6,800/month. Use our Monthly Cost Estimator to get an exact figure for your state.
Medicare does NOT cover assisted living expenses. It covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing facility care following a qualifying 3-day hospital stay, with strict conditions. Long-term custodial care (help with bathing, dressing, meals) is not covered. Medicaid may cover nursing home care for those who meet low-income eligibility requirements.
The average 65-year-old has a 70% chance of needing long-term care. The average duration is 3 years. At 2026 prices, a 3-year nursing home stay could cost $350,000+. Use our Lifetime Savings Calculator to determine your personal savings target based on your state, age, and expected care type.
For many Americans, yes. A typical LTC insurance policy costs $125–$200/month for a 55-year-old. Without insurance, 3 years of nursing home care can exceed $350,000 out-of-pocket. The break-even point is typically 18–30 months of care. Use our LTC Insurance Calculator to run your numbers.