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Cost of Home Care vs. a Nursing Home

5 minute readLast updated July 17, 2025
Written by Kayla Van Erdewyk
fact checkedby
Marlena Gates
Reviewed by Todd Austin, home care expertTodd Austin, an Aging Media "40 under 40" winner and home care expert, heads Home Care Pulse, a leading home care agency software solution.
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The national median cost of full-time home care is $6,292 per month, compared to $9,277 for a semi-private room in a nursing home. Home care can include nonmedical and medical services, but nursing homes provide the highest level of medical care outside of a hospital. Medical expenses that are part of home care and nursing home costs are tax deductible when they exceed 7.5% of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income.

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Key Takeaways

  1. Home care costs about $6,292 per month for 44 hours per week and represents a flexible approach to home-based nonmedical and medical services.
  2. The national median monthly cost of semi-private rooms in nursing homes is $9,277, which includes a high level of care from medical professionals.
  3. 24/7 access to licensed medical staff is the most significant difference between home care and a nursing home.

How to compare the costs of in-home care and nursing homes

In-home care, which can include nonmedical and medical services, costs about $6,292 per month for 44 hours per week, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[01] At this rate, home care is less expensive than a nursing home, which costs about $9,277 for a semi-private room and $10,646 for a private room.[02]

However, when someone requires around-the-clock access to care that only licensed medical professionals can provide, a nursing home is the more cost-effective option. Around-the-clock home care, at the national median cost of $33 per hour, can cost as much as $24,090 per month. Learn more about the key differences between home care and nursing homes.

Factors that affect the cost of home care

The two most important factors that affect the cost of home care are the:

  • Type of care needed. If your loved one requires medical services, they need home health care rather than home care.
  • Amount of care needed. For families that can provide weekend and overnight care but need someone to care for their loved one during weekdays, a full-time in-home caregiver may work well.

Factors that affect the cost of a nursing home

Nursing home costs can be seen as “all-inclusive” prices because the monthly rate covers room and board, assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), and medical care. Nursing home prices are determined primarily by location and the type of room a resident chooses.

Here’s a breakdown of the national median costs for nursing homes:[02]

  • A private room in a nursing home is $10,646 per month.
  • A semi-private room in a nursing home is $9,277 per month.

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Can the cost of home care or a nursing home be deducted from taxes?

Yes, families can deduct the cost of home care on their federal income tax return when expenses:

  • Are considered medical expenses as outlined in IRS Publication 502
  • Expenses exceed 7.5% of the filer’s adjusted gross income

These conditions also apply to taxpayers who want to deduct nursing home expenses.

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Help exploring senior care options

Understanding the cost differences between home care and nursing homes may help you decide about which type of long-term care is best for your loved one.

While A Place for Mom doesn’t refer to nursing homes, our Senior Living Advisors can help you and your family explore other senior care options in your area. Many of the assisted living communities we partner with offer on-site access to nursing care services. Our advisors can also provide information about local home care providers based on your loved one’s unique needs and budget, all at no cost to you.

Families also ask

When home health care is required around-the-clock, or 24/7, it’s considerably more expensive than assisted living, which often offers access to on-site nursing care, or a nursing home.

Home modifications, medical equipment, transportation, emergency coverage, and respite care are some of the additional costs that families must consider when their loved one receives care at home.

Yes. Many people move from home care to a nursing home. For example, people who had been receiving care at home and then had a hospital stay following an injury or a surgical procedure often go to a nursing home afterward.

SHARE THE ARTICLE

  1. A Place for Mom. (2025). A Place for Mom proprietary data.

  2. Genworth Financial, Inc. (2025). Cost of care survey.

Kayla Van Erdewyk is a content specialist at A Place for Mom, where she focuses on senior-friendly technology, the move to assisted living, and many other topics that help families choose the right type of care. Kayla holds a master's degree in special education from the University of Northern Colorado, plus a psychology degree from Creighton University.
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Edited by
Marlena Gates
Marlena Gates is a senior editor at A Place for Mom, where she's written or edited hundreds of articles covering senior care topics, including memory care, skilled nursing, and mental health. Earlier in her career, she worked as a nursing assistant in a residential care home for children suffering from severe traumatic brain injuries. Marlena holds a master's degree in nonfiction writing, plus a degree from the University of California, Davis, where she studied psychobiology and medical anthropology. While there, she worked as a research assistant in the psychobiology department.
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Todd Austin is an Aging Media "40 under 40" winner and healthcare expert with deep experience in sales, marketing, and operations. He is a sought-after speaker and innovative thinker in health care who is passionate about delivering resonant messages, growing businesses, and helping others achieve their potential. He heads Home Care Pulse, a leading home care agency software solution.
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