The national median cost of assisted living is $4,995 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s 2024 proprietary data. It’s important to have a clear understanding of what the cost includes and why it may change. Many communities have a base fee that doesn’t include the cost of care. Instead, care services are added based on how much assistance a senior needs. Other factors affect the total monthly cost too, such as location, chosen room size, amenities, and added-on services. To help make your final decision, consider the overall value a community provides, and compare that to your senior loved one’s current cost of living.
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Instead of searching for the average cost of assisted living, it’s actually more helpful to understand the median cost. The median — the cost landing right in the middle between the highest and lowest — shows a more realistic picture of what someone can expect to spend. Assisted living average costs can be easily skewed by extremely high or low numbers. This is especially true in states that have many luxury assisted living communities, such as New York, as the average in those cases may not truly represent the middle.
Assisted living prices have risen an average of 3.51% a year since 2013. Below is the yearly median cost for assisted living and its percent increase, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[01]
A Place for Mom compiled data on assisted living costs based upon information from our partner facilities. This data set shows the national median cost of assisted living communities in 2023:[02]
In some high cost of living areas, assisted living costs are closer to $8,000 a month, while states with a lower cost of living offer assisted living prices closer to $3,300 a month.[02] The prices of luxury assisted living communities and budget assisted living communities can vary greatly because of the services provided at each. Additionally, assisted living costs may vary by ZIP code, city, or state.
The following table outlines the percentage change in assisted living median costs over the last decade.[01]
| Year | Percentage change from the previous year |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 5.14% |
| 2015 | 1.76% |
| 2016 | 4.00% |
| 2017 | 2.56% |
| 2018 | 4.25% |
| 2019 | 2.16% |
| 2020 | -0.23% |
| 2021 | 1.86% |
| 2022 | 6.26% |
| 2023 | 7.61% |
It’s important to note that all senior living costs are anticipated to continue to rise in response to inflation.
According to data on A Place for Mom’s partner assisted living communities, the median cost of assisted living has increased since 2013, particularly in the years after the COVID-19 pandemic.[01] Between 2022 and 2023, the rate of inflation was 3.4%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.[03] Over the same period, the median cost of assisted living nationwide rose by 7.61%.[01]
It’s unclear at this point if assisted living costs will continue to increase at a rate that’s higher than the inflation rate.
The areas with the least expensive assisted living are usually located in the Mountain, Midwestern, and Southern states. These regions generally have a lower cost of living and cheaper housing costs.
According to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data, these 10 states have the least expensive median assisted living cost:[02]
The cost of assisted living is typically higher in the Northeast and Alaska, where the median monthly cost of a private room can surpass $6,000. These regions generally have a higher cost of living and more expensive housing prices.
These 10 states have the most expensive median cost of assisted living, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data:[02]
Although not a state, Washington, D.C., has a more expensive median cost of assisted living per month than any of the states listed above. The monthly median cost of assisted living is $7,250 per month in the nation’s capital.
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How much an assisted living facility costs is related to that state’s cost of living index and assisted living regulations. Additionally, each assisted living community has its own design, levels of care, technology, location, and activities. All of these factors affect the cost of assisted living facilities in different states.
Assisted living regulations vary widely across the U.S., unlike nursing homes, which are federally regulated.[04] As a result, states have different requirements for staffing levels, training, facility size, and safety. All of these are important factors that contribute to the cost of running a facility.
For example, take a look at the neighboring states of Missouri and Kansas, which have a difference in median monthly cost of $500.[02] In Kansas, the median cost of assisted living is $5,205 per month. Kansas assisted living facilities must provide at least 200 square feet of living space in apartments, not including the bathroom and closets. The state doesn’t specify how many residents can occupy an apartment. In Missouri, the median cost of assisted living is $4,700 per month. Missouri assisted living communities are required to provide a minimum of 70 square feet per resident in each unit. Missouri communities are allowed a maximum of four residents in a unit.[05]
This isn’t to say that apartment size is the reason for a price difference between Kansas and Missouri, but it illustrates the wide range of regulations that assisted living communities must follow from state to state.
A cost of living index compares what it takes to maintain a certain standard of living in a given location. Cost of living includes not only housing costs but also electricity, gas, water, taxes, food, and any expense related to living and thriving in that location.
Cost of living indexes typically center 100 as the national average, which means places with index numbers below 100 have a lower cost of living and places above 100 have a higher cost of living.
A higher cost of living index number typically indicates that you can expect to see higher assisted living costs in that state. For example, many Northeastern states have high cost of living index numbers and more expensive median assisted living costs.
States with a lower cost of living typically have cheaper assisted living costs. In the Mountain, Midwestern, and Southern regions, a dollar goes further toward paying for the property, goods, and services needed to operate a senior living community.
If you’re wondering how much assisted living costs per month across the U.S., read through the table below. It outlines the median monthly and yearly base fee of a private, one-bedroom apartment in assisted living and notes the cost of living index by state.[06,07]
| State | Median monthly price (2023) | Median yearly price (2023) | Cost of living index (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $3,696 | $44,352 | 88.3 |
| Alaska | $6,285 | $75,420 | 125.2 |
| Arizona | $4,575 | $54,900 | 108.4 |
| Arkansas | $4,253 | $75,420 | 89 |
| California | $5,270 | $68,240 | 138.5 |
| Colorado | $5,295 | $63,540 | 105.1 |
| Connecticut | $6,283 | $75,396 | 112.8 |
| Delaware | $6,525 | $78,300 | 101.1 |
| Florida | $4,310 | $51,720 | 100.7 |
| Georgia | $4,152 | $49,824 | 90.8 |
| Hawaii | $5,495 | $65,940 | 180.3 |
| Idaho | $4,559 | $54,708 | 98.6 |
| Illinois | $5,150 | $61,800 | 92.1 |
| Indiana | $4,348 | $52,176 | 91 |
| Iowa | $4,968 | $59,616 | 90.3 |
| Kansas | $5,205 | $62,460 | 87.1 |
| Kentucky | $4,168 | $45,732 | 92 |
| Louisiana | $3,811 | $47,780 | 91 |
| Maine | $5,915 | $70,980 | 109.9 |
| Maryland | $6,078 | $72,936 | 116.5 |
| Massachusetts | $6,669 | $80,028 | 146.5 |
| Michigan | $5,190 | $62,280 | 90.6 |
| Minnesota | $5,040 | $60,480 | 94.1 |
| Mississippi | $3,757 | $45,084 | 86.3 |
| Missouri | $4,700 | $56,400 | 88.5 |
| Montana | $4,840 | $58,080 | 102.9 |
| Nebraska | $5,042 | $60,504 | 90.9 |
| Nevada | $5,578 | $66,936 | 101 |
| New Hampshire | $6,879 | $82,548 | 114.1 |
| New Jersey | $7,000 | $84,000 | 113.9 |
| New Mexico | $4,395 | $52,740 | 94 |
| New York | $5,895 | $70,740 | 125.9 |
| North Carolina | $5,070 | $60,840 | 95.3 |
| North Dakota | $4,598 | $55,176 | 94.6 |
| Ohio | $4,995 | $59,940 | 94.7 |
| Oklahoma | $4,899 | $58,788 | 86.2 |
| Oregon | $5,760 | $69,120 | 114.7 |
| Pennsylvania | $5,000 | $60,000 | 95.6 |
| Rhode Island | $5,670 | $68,040 | 110.7 |
| South Carolina | $4,295 | $51,540 | 95.3 |
| South Dakota | $4,205 | $50,460 | 92.4 |
| Tennessee | $4,382 | $52,584 | 90.3 |
| Texas | $5,172 | $62,064 | 92.7 |
| Utah | $4,165 | $49,980 | 103.2 |
| Vermont | $6,495 | $77,940 | 115.3 |
| Virginia | $5,280 | $63,360 | 101.9 |
| Washington, D.C. | $7,250 | $87,000 | 146.8 |
| Washington State | $5,425 | $65,100 | 116 |
| West Virginia | $4,710 | $56,560 | 87.7 |
| Wisconsin | $5,410 | $64,920 | 95.1 |
| Wyoming | $3,642 | $43,704 | 92.4 |
Depending on the pricing model of the assisted living providers surveyed, the above figures may reflect base fees that don’t include extra services like assistance with activities of daily living, medication management, and more.
Some assisted living communities add an additional fee to the bill for couples living in the same assisted living apartment. This is typically referred to as a “second person fee,” and the national median cost is $1,095 per month.[06]
Broadly speaking, it’s challenging to calculate the cost of assisted living for couples because of the following factors:
If you’re planning to live in assisted living as a couple, it’s a good idea to ask prospective communities how they approach fees for couples and if they offer any sort of couple discount.
Many families are surprised by how much assisted living costs. This is largely because many families don’t consider the value they get for assisted living in comparison to current expenses.
We’ve developed a senior living cost calculator to help families accurately compare their loved one’s current expenses to the cost of assisted living. It helps to consider which expenses your loved one pays for individually at home that would be rolled into their monthly assisted living bill. These items often include:
Depending on a community’s pricing model, you may come across some fees that you didn’t expect. These surprises can be upsetting to some families, which is why they’re sometimes referred to as “hidden” fees.
Typically, the base fee and other upfront costs of assisted living include the following:
While these known costs cover a lot, there are a few other potential costs to be aware of.
Most communities have a one-time entrance fee, sometimes called a “community” or “move-in” fee. The national median community fee is $2,500.[06]
Residents usually pay more for additional services. Many communities may provide an assisted living cost breakdown to prospective residents, with a variety of add-on expenses for assisted living.
The national median costs of common add-on fees include:[06]
Other add-ons can also affect the monthly cost but will vary based on each senior’s needs and lifestyle. These add-ons may include:
Help with activities of daily living (ADLs) may also be an additional charge listed on the bill. This depends on how the community charges for this type of assistance, which is covered in detail below.
Assisted living communities typically operate under one of the following cost structures. These determine how you or your loved one pays for care, and they may influence how much you pay.
This structure allows residents to add or remove services as their needs change, which provides flexibility for future needs. However, pricing a prospective community is more complex, as month-to-month assisted living costs may change over time.
For example, let’s say your loved one typically needs help with bathing and dressing. If they come to need extra assistance with mobility or toileting due to an illness or another reason, you’ll see a higher bill during that time.
This pricing structure includes everything from rent, care services, meals, and all other services and amenities available to residents of a community. This means costs won’t change if a senior develops greater needs — as long as the community offers the care level needed, like nursing or memory care.
A community may offer different care levels at different price points. Prices typically rise with an increase in services. This type of pricing offers predictable costs and offers a resident options to upgrade to a higher level of care in the future without moving.
Many times, tiers coordinate with the number of ADLs a senior needs help with or how many caregivers are needed to provide this assistance. The number of tiers available depends on the community, but it’s common to see anywhere between three and five tier options.
Across A Place for Mom’s partner communities, the nationwide median prices for care tiers are:[01]
In total, assisted living residents will spend $109,890 during their entire time in assisted living. This is based off the current median monthly cost of assisted living, $4,995, multiplied by the median stay at an assisted living community, which is 22 months, according to the American Health Care Association.[08]
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For some seniors, it may make sense to compare the costs of assisted living versus nursing home care. The chart below compares the median costs of different senior care types nationally, as collected from A Place for Mom’s (APFM) proprietary data[01] andGenworth’s 2023 data.[09]
Expect costs to rise incrementally in the coming years due to inflation and the increased demand for senior living as most baby boomers reach retirement age by the end of the decade.
| Care type | Latest median daily cost (nationally) | Latest median monthly cost (nationally) | Latest median yearly cost (nationally) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing home facility, private room[09] | $320 | $9,733 | $116,800 |
| Nursing home facility, semi-private room[09] | $285 | $8,669 | $104,025 |
| Home health aide (based on 40 hours per week)[09] | $188 | $5,720 | $68,640 |
| Homemaker services (based on 40 hours per week)[09] | $172 | $5,200 | $62,400 |
| Assisted living facility[01] | $164 | $4,995 | $59,940 |
| Memory care[01] | $204 | $6,200 | $74,400 |
| Adult day health care[09] | $95 | $2,058 | $24,700 |
Home care can also be a good option to make sure your loved one has the support they need while you consider your care options. The national median cost of home care is $30 per hour.[02] Depending on your loved one’s care needs, you can request a part-time or full-time caregiver.
Living at home or with family may be another viable option for seniors. However, all the unique variables make it difficult to determine the median cost of personal living arrangements.
Adult day services centers may be an option for seniors who remain at home. As of 2023, 4,130 centers in the U.S. provided care to more than 237,400 participants on any given day of that year.[10] The national median cost of adult day services is $17 per hour. Additionally, your loved one may have a day services medication fee, which has a national median cost of $300 per month.[06]
People may also use home health care agencies to prolong their time living at home, as well. Throughout 2020, 3 million people received care from home health care agencies.[11]
Seniors who choose a senior living option may start with assisted living. More than 818,000 people reside in assisted living communities. Approximately 60% of assisted living residents will eventually move out of their assisted living community and into a skilled nursing facility.[08]
In 2020, 1.3 million residents lived in nursing homes in the United States.[12] Long-term residents live in the nursing home for an average of 2.3 years.[13]
It can be challenging to determine how many people live in memory care, because “memory care” may refer to stand-alone communities or a type of service offered in units within assisted living communities. People with dementia may also reside in nursing homes because of their unique health situations.
Remember that assisted living costs will depend on every resident’s unique situation, so being as prepared and informed as possible can help your family avoid surprising costs and sticker shock.
To learn more about an assisted living community’s pricing, consider asking the following 10 questions:
Figuring out how to pay for long-term care may feel overwhelming, but there may be multiple options available to your loved one. Some pathways to pay for assisted living include the following:
Navigating the transition into assisted living may feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. The specialized Senior Living Advisors at A Place for Mom offer free senior living consultations to help with your search for assisted living. These compassionate professionals can help you find local, assisted living options that may suit your loved one’s unique needs and situation, all at no cost to your family.
Key Takeaways
A Place for Mom. (2024). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
A Place for Mom. (2023). Cost of long-term care and senior living.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, February 13). Consumer price index: 2023 in review.
Trinkoff, A., Yoon, J., Storr, C., Lerner, N., Yang, B. and Han, K. (2019, June 27). Comparing residential long-term care regulations between nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Nursing Outlook.
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. (2020, May 31). Rules of Department of Health and Senior Services. Division 30 Division of Regulation and Licensure. Chapter 86 residential care facilities and assisted living facilities.
A Place for Mom. (2024). Community room prices and fees.
Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. (2023). Cost of living data series.
American Health Care Association. National Center for Assisted Living. Facts and figures.
Genworth. (2023). Cost of care survey.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Health Statistics. (2023, December 15). Adult day services centers.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Health Statistics. (2023, November 5). Home health care.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Health Statistics. (2022, December 15). Nursing home care.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2022, April 6). The National Imperative to Improve Nursing Home Quality. Chapter 2: Evolution and landscape of nursing home care in the United States.
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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