If your loved one needs significant medical care, a nursing home may be the right senior living choice. With a median cost of $9,034 a month for a private room, nursing homes are generally more expensive than other types of senior living. That’s because of the high-level medical care they offer, including on-site medical professionals and round-the-clock supervision, as well as therapies and amenities designed for people with significant physical or cognitive care needs.
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The national median daily cost for a private room in a nursing home in 2021 was $297 per day, and the average cost of a semi-private room was $260 per day, according to Genworth’s most recent Cost of Care Survey.[01]
While it’s common to seek out the average cost of living in a nursing home, it’s more practical to consider the median cost instead. Median means half the prices are higher and half are lower in any given area. Averages can be misleading in places with many luxury nursing homes or several budget-friendly options. A high number of either can skew data.
Here’s a breakdown of median nursing home costs by day, month, and year.
| Type of accommodation | Daily cost | Monthly cost | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-private room | $260 | $7,908 | $94,900 |
| Private room | $297 | $9,034 | $108,405 |
Facilities offer different options and features, and these differences can drastically change the cost of the nursing home.
“The cost of a nursing home depends on various factors that the family generally can’t control, such as the state, location, and needs of the residents,” says Michael Leitson, former senior data manager at the American Health Care Association, a federation of 50 state health organizations representing more than 12,000 nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
Seniors may have the opportunity to choose options that better fit their budget and individual needs, depending on the nursing homes available in their area.
Nursing home costs vary greatly across the country the same way cost of living, salaries, and taxes do. States with a higher cost of living, such as Hawaii or New York, typically have higher average nursing home costs compared to states with a lower cost of living, like Kansas or Arkansas.
Similarly, there may be a cost difference between facilities in rural and urban areas. The demographic percentage of seniors in a given area may also affect costs due to supply and demand. Below, we’ll explore nursing home costs by location in greater depth.
Whether your loved one chooses to live alone or in a shared space with another person can make a big difference in the cost of nursing home care.
It’s usually more expensive to select a private room, as shown in the table above. In 2021, there was a 12% monthly cost difference between private and semi-private rooms. So, if your aging relative would benefit from companionship and like to save some money, a shared room may be the better option.
Nursing homes are designed to provide the physical, cognitive, and medical care aging adults need. Most facilities offer daily activities and therapies, as well as social spaces and meals focused on senior nutrition.
However, luxury senior living is becoming more common in some areas. Seniors may be able to choose to pay a premium to reside in a community that curates a luxurious senior-friendly lifestyle in opulent surroundings. This phenomenon is especially noticeable in major metros, such as New York City.
Nursing home costs can also range from budget-conscious to high-end. A high-priced nursing home may be more than $30,000 a month for a single room, while a more affordable, shared room option with limited amenities may be around $5,000 a month.
Let our free assessment guide you to the best senior living options, tailored to your budget.
In nursing homes, residents typically have a variety of chronic medical needs and require help with several activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, and using the toilet.
In the most recent government survey on nursing homes, more than half of residents needed assistance with five ADLs: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, and eating.[03] That’s more daily help than assisted living residents typically require.
Nursing home residents receive 24-hour care and medical supervision from licensed medical professionals. Nursing home services include skilled nursing care, such as wound care, injections, catheter care, and dialysis. These services aren’t commonly offered in other types of senior living communities like independent or assisted living.
“The number one reason that nursing homes are so expensive is because they require a lot of nurses and staff members to care for residents,” says Leitson.
Additional services include medication management, meals, and housekeeping.
Read related article:Assisted Living vs. Nursing Homes
Some nursing homes have a set monthly cost, while others offer services a la carte.
When you and your family tour or research nursing homes, you can request a cost-per-service breakdown. This breakdown may outline the costs of room and board, on-site medical care and mental health counseling, transportation fees to off-site medical care, activities fees, recreation fees, and entertainment fees.
Some nursing homes also have one-time entrance fees, which may or may not be refundable at the end of a senior’s stay.
Certain medical care needs, such as insulin injections or transportation to dialysis, may cost extra. Sometimes facilities also charge by the number of ADLs a senior needs help with — for example, someone who can use the toilet independently but needs assistance with bathing would pay less each month than someone who requires help with both.[03]
Location plays a major role in nursing home costs because, as mentioned above, the cost of living can vary significantly from state to state.
The top five most expensive states for nursing home care in 2021 were as follows:
The top five least expensive states were as follows:
Learn more about nursing home costs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in the table below.
| State | 2021 median daily nursing home cost (private room) | 2021 median monthly nursing home cost (private room) | 2021 median daily nursing home cost (semi-private room) | 2021 median monthly nursing home cost (semi-private room) | Cost of living index (first quarter of 2022)** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $231 | $7,026 | $220 | $6,676 | 87.5 |
| Alaska | $1,036 | $31,512 | $1,036 | $31,512 | 127.3 |
| Arizona | $264 | $8,030 | $215 | $6,540 | 106.7 |
| Arkansas | $220 | $6,692 | $200 | $6,083 | 89.9 |
| California | $400 | $12,167 | $322 | $9,794 | 139.7 |
| Colorado | $320 | $9,726 | $282 | $8,567 | 102.4 |
| Connecticut | $499 | $15,170 | $453 | $13,764 | 118.9 |
| Delaware | $414 | $12,577 | $404 | $12,273 | 105.8 |
| District of Columbia | $345 | $10,494 | $345 | $10,494 | 158.8 |
| Florida | $317 | $9,627 | $285 | $8,654 | 102.6 |
| Georgia | $250 | $7,604 | $231 | $7,011 | 88.2 |
| Hawaii | $464 | $14,113 | $411 | $12,501 | 192.7 |
| Idaho | $300 | $9,125 | $280 | $8,517 | 99.4 |
| Illinois | $235 | $7,156 | $206 | $6,266 | 91.7 |
| Indiana | $286 | $8,700 | $239 | $7,270 | 89.2 |
| Iowa | $245 | $7,452 | $226 | $6,874 | 88.1 |
| Kansas | $224 | $6,813 | $207 | $6,296 | 85.4 |
| Kentucky | $262 | $7,696 | $236 | $7,178 | 93.7 |
| Louisiana | $199 | $6,060 | $189 | $5,759 | 93.3 |
| Maine | $370 | $11,254 | $345 | $10,494 | 115.1 |
| Maryland | $400 | $12,167 | $340 | $10,342 | 126.4 |
| Massachusetts | $445 | $13,535 | $415 | $12,623 | 130.2 |
| Michigan | $324 | $9,855 | $299 | $9,095 | 89.9 |
| Minnesota | $430 | $13,072 | $381 | $11,601 | 97.2 |
| Mississippi | $240 | $7,314 | $234 | $7,118 | 83.1 |
| Missouri | $195 | $5,931 | $173 | $5,262 | 90.5 |
| Montana | $265 | $8,060 | $249 | $7,574 | 104.4 |
| Nebraska | $273 | $8,289 | $246 | $7,483 | 91.8 |
| Nevada | $329 | $10,007 | $303 | $9,216 | 103.1 |
| New Hampshire | $395 | $12,015 | $360 | $10,950 | 117.4 |
| New Jersey | $400 | $12,151 | $370 | $11,254 | 112.9 |
| New Mexico | $275 | $8,365 | $250 | $7,604 | 93.9 |
| New York | $435 | $13,233 | $420 | $12,775 | 152.1 |
| North Carolina | $270 | $8,213 | $246 | $7,483 | 95 |
| North Dakota | $414 | $12,587 | $394 | $11,978 | 96.8 |
| Ohio | $270 | $8,213 | $240 | $7,300 | 90.8 |
| Oklahoma | $200 | $6,083 | $180 | $5,475 | 84.8 |
| Oregon | $365 | $11,113 | $340 | $10,342 | 125.2 |
| Pennsylvania | $367 | $11,157 | $342 | $10,403 | 97.5 |
| Rhode Island | $330 | $10,038 | $310 | $9,429 | 112.8 |
| South Carolina | $263 | $7,984 | $240 | $7,285 | 93.9 |
| South Dakota | $250 | $7,604 | $234 | $7,118 | 95.2 |
| Tennessee | $252 | $7,665 | $235 | $7,148 | 89.4 |
| Texas | $233 | $7,092 | $169 | $5,125 | 92.1 |
| Utah | $300 | $9,125 | $236 | $7,178 | 104.2 |
| Vermont | $365 | $11,102 | $348 | $10,585 | 116.9 |
| Virginia | $301 | $9,155 | $270 | $8,213 | 102.7 |
| Washington | $344 | $10,466 | $310 | $9,429 | 113.9 |
| West Virginia | $402 | $12,212 | $382 | $11,619 | 90.5 |
| Wisconsin | $320 | $9,733 | $297 | $9,022 | 95.5 |
| Wyoming | $251 | $7,635 | $230 | $6,996 | 93.9 |
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From 2012 to 2016, 13.8% of people 65 years and older resided in urban areas, as noted by the United States Census Bureau.[04] Like costs vary by states, nursing home prices also vary from city to city. Local wages, availability of nursing home staff, cost of living, and other factors influence the costs of nursing homes in these urban areas.
The table below highlights highly populated metro areas in the U.S. Some metros are above the nationwide median costs for nursing home care, and some are below.
| Metro | State | 2021 median daily nursing home cost (private room) | 2021 median monthly nursing home cost (private room) | 2021 median daily nursing home cost (semi-private room) | 2021 median monthly nursing home cost (semi-private room) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose Area | California | $513 | $15,589 | $390 | $11,863 |
| Hartford Area | Connecticut | $499 | $15,170 | $453 | $13,764 |
| Boston Area | Massachusetts | $474 | $14,402 | $433 | $13,155 |
| Sacramento Area | California | $465 | $14,129 | $350 | $10,646 |
| San Francisco Area | California | $463 | $14,068 | $380 | $11,566 |
| Buffalo Area | New York | $446 | $13,559 | $427 | $12,994 |
| Baltimore Area | Maryland | $444 | $13,490 | $355 | $10,798 |
| New York Area | New York | $435 | $13,231 | $410 | $12,471 |
| Minneapolis Area | Minnesota | $429 | $13,055 | $385 | $11,708 |
| Philadelphia Area | Pennsylvania | $424 | $12,897 | $376 | $11,437 |
| San Diego Area | California | $400 | $12,167 | $309 | $9,384 |
| Milwaukee Area | Wisconsin | $396 | $12,045 | $357 | $10,872 |
| Seattle Area | Washington | $394 | $11,984 | $326 | $9,916 |
| Portland Area | Oregon | $387 | $11,777 | $351 | $10,661 |
| Los Angeles Area | California | $371 | $11,269 | $300 | $9,125 |
| Miami Area | Florida | $358 | $10,904 | $297 | $9,019 |
| Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | $355 | $10,798 | $320 | $9,733 |
| Providence Area | Rhode Island | $355 | $10,798 | $335 | $10,190 |
| Las Vegas Area | Nevada | $350 | $10,646 | $272 | $8,273 |
| District of Columbia | District of Columbia | $345 | $10,494 | $345 | $10,494 |
| Detroit Area | Michigan | $335 | $10,190 | $292 | $8,882 |
| Orlando Area | Florida | $334 | $10,159 | $265 | $8,060 |
| Denver Area | Colorado | $331 | $10,053 | $285 | $8,669 |
| Tampa Area | Florida | $325 | $9,885 | $294 | $8,927 |
| Green Bay | Wisconsin | $323 | $9,825 | $280 | $8,502 |
| Richmond | Virginia | $321 | $9,749 | $285 | $8,654 |
| Virginia Beach Area | Virginia | $305 | $9,280 | $277 | $8,410 |
| Nationwide | USA | $297 | $9,034 | $260 | $7,908 |
| Indianapolis Area | Indiana | $295 | $8,973 | $232 | $7,057 |
| Austin Area | Texas | $295 | $8,973 | $195 | $5,931 |
| Cleveland Area | Ohio | $293 | $8,897 | $276 | $8,395 |
| Jacksonville | Florida | $292 | $8,882 | $270 | $8,213 |
| Riverside Area | California | $291 | $8,865 | $263 | $7,992 |
| Cincinnati | Ohio | $288 | $8,760 | $258 | $7,848 |
| Atlanta Area | Georgia | $283 | $8,593 | $248 | $7,528 |
| Charlotte Area | North Carolina | $283 | $8,608 | $255 | $7,756 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | Kentucky | $281 | $8,540 | $245 | $7,452 |
| Columbus | Ohio | $281 | $8,547 | $246 | $7,490 |
| Dallas Area | Texas | $278 | $8,460 | $185 | $5,627 |
| Salt Lake City | Utah | $271 | $8,228 | $245 | $7,437 |
| Chicago Area | Illinois | $265 | $8,060 | $230 | $6,996 |
| Phoenix Area | Arizona | $260 | $7,908 | $211 | $6,418 |
| Kansas City | Missouri | $260 | $7,908 | $213 | $6,464 |
| Nashville Area | Tennessee | $260 | $7,908 | $239 | $7,270 |
| Houston Area | Texas | $255 | $7,756 | $173 | $5,262 |
| Raleigh Area | North Carolina | $250 | $7,604 | $230 | $6,996 |
| Memphis | Tennessee | $247 | $7,513 | $233 | $7,087 |
| Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | $243 | $7,391 | $183 | $5,551 |
| Birmingham Area | Alabama | $234 | $7,118 | $223 | $6,768 |
| San Antonio Area | Texas | $228 | $6,935 | $172 | $5,232 |
| St. Louis | Missouri | $222 | $6,737 | $185 | $5,627 |
| New Orleans Area | Louisiana | $210 | $6,388 | $195 | $5,931 |
From the above data set, the New Orleans area, St. Louis, and the San Antonio area represent metros with less expensive median costs of nursing home care. Meanwhile, the San Jose area, the Hartford area, and the Boston area had some of the most expensive costs in the above data set.
It’s worth noting that much of this data was collected in 2021, and demographics have changed significantly since then. Many seniors moved from more populated cities to traditionally suburban areas during the coronavirus pandemic. Though little research has been conducted on the effect this had on senior living prices geographically, we can assume areas that experienced a large influx of older adults likely saw rises in senior living and nursing home costs due to increased demand.
Families can use a wide variety of resources to pay for nursing home care costs. Public funding options like Medicare, Medicaid, and VA benefits may cover parts of nursing home care depending on your loved one’s length of stay and the facility they choose. Moreover, if your loved one is an eligible veteran, a VA nursing home could be an accessible and affordable way to receive care.
Depending on your loved one’s income, much of the cost of a nursing home will be paid for with private funds and assets, including pensions, savings accounts, profits from a home sale, or gifts from family members.
It may also be worth comparing the cost of nursing home care vs. in-home care. In some cases, in-home care may be more affordable.
Read related article:How to Pay for a Nursing Home
The first step in understanding how much you’ll pay for senior living is identifying your loved one’s individual care needs. If they require significant daily medical care, a nursing home is likely the best option. If they only need help with ADLs or some daily assistance, less expensive assisted living options may be a better financial choice for your family.
Reach out to one of A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors to discuss different types of senior living, budgetary needs, and local communities — all at no cost to you.
Genworth. (2022, June 2). Cost of Care Survey.
Grand View Research. (2022). U.S. assisted living facility market size, share & trends analysis report by age.
American Health Care Association. Facts & figures.
Symens-Smith, A., & Trevelyan, E. (2019, April 10). The older population in rural America: 2012-2016. United States Census Bureau.
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