In-Home Care Costs in 2026: Is It Cheaper Than Assisted Living?
In-home care allows seniors to age in place. According to Genworth 2026, in-home care (homemaker) costs $5,720/month for 44 hours/week — about half the cost of nursing home private room. However, if you need 24/7 care at home, it becomes more expensive than assisted living.
Two types: (1) Homemaker services — ADL help only, $20–35/hour. (2) Home health aides — CNA-certified, $25–40/hour. Use this calculator to estimate costs based on your required hours.
Related: Try our Monthly Cost Calculator to get a baseline estimate for your state.
Related tools: Total Monthly Cost | Assisted Living Cost
🏠 In-Home Care Hourly Calculator
Data source: Genworth 2026 Cost of Care Survey. Actual agency rates vary.
FAQ
National median: $26–30/hour for homemaker; $30–38/hour for home health aide. Varies by state.
For part-time care (≤4h/day, 5d/wk), yes — ~$2,500/month vs. $5,511/month for assisted living. For 24/7 care, assisted living is cheaper.