2026 Cost Guide · All 50 States · Genworth / CareScout Data
Assisted Living Cost by State
Cheapest state
$2,950/mo
Mississippi
National average
$4,500/mo
2026 median
Most expensive
$6,200/mo
New Hampshire
34 states offer partial Medicaid coverage for assisted living through HCBS waivers. Coverage varies widely — some states cover personal care only, others cover most costs. Asset limits ($2,000–$15,000) and waiting lists apply. See each state page for details.
5 Most Affordable States for Assisted Living
#1
Mississippi
$2,950
per month
#2
Arkansas
$3,250
per month
#3
Louisiana
$3,250
per month
#4
Georgia
$3,500
per month
#5
Missouri
$3,500
per month
5 Most Expensive States for Assisted Living
#1
Alaska
$6,350
per month
Medicaid#2
New Hampshire
$6,200
per month
Medicaid#3
Rhode Island
$6,100
per month
Medicaid#4
New Jersey
$6,100
per month
#5
Vermont
$6,000
per month
MedicaidAssisted Living Cost — All 50 States (2026)
Sorted lowest to highest. Memory care averages ~38% more than assisted living. National average: $4,500/month.
| State | AL / Month | Memory Care | Medicaid | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $2,950 | $4,071 | Limited | -34% |
| Arkansas | $3,250 | $4,485 | Limited | -28% |
| Louisiana | $3,250 | $4,485 | Limited | -28% |
| Georgia | $3,500 | $4,830 | Limited | -22% |
| Missouri | $3,500 | $4,830 | Limited | -22% |
| Tennessee | $3,500 | $4,830 | Limited | -22% |
| West Virginia | $3,500 | $4,830 | Limited | -22% |
| Oklahoma | $3,550 | $4,899 | Limited | -21% |
| Kentucky | $3,650 | $5,037 | Limited | -19% |
| Alabama | $3,750 | $5,175 | Limited | -17% |
| Idaho | $3,750 | $5,175 | Partial | -17% |
| Nevada | $3,750 | $5,175 | Limited | -17% |
| Ohio | $3,750 | $5,175 | Partial | -17% |
| South Carolina | $3,750 | $5,175 | Limited | -17% |
| Texas | $3,750 | $5,175 | Limited | -17% |
| South Dakota | $3,800 | $5,244 | Limited | -16% |
| Indiana | $3,850 | $5,313 | Partial | -14% |
| Utah | $3,850 | $5,313 | Partial | -14% |
| Iowa | $3,950 | $5,451 | Partial | -12% |
| Arizona | $4,000 | $5,520 | Partial | -11% |
| Michigan | $4,000 | $5,520 | Partial | -11% |
| North Carolina | $4,000 | $5,520 | Limited | -11% |
| Montana | $4,100 | $5,658 | Partial | -9% |
| Nebraska | $4,100 | $5,658 | Partial | -9% |
| North Dakota | $4,100 | $5,658 | Partial | -9% |
| Pennsylvania | $4,100 | $5,658 | Partial | -9% |
| Kansas | $4,200 | $5,796 | Partial | -7% |
| Florida | $4,250 | $5,865 | Partial | -6% |
| New Mexico | $4,250 | $5,865 | Partial | -6% |
| Wisconsin | $4,350 | $6,003 | Partial | -3% |
| Wyoming | $4,500 | $6,210 | Partial | 0% |
| Colorado | $4,750 | $6,555 | Partial | +6% |
| Illinois | $4,750 | $6,555 | Partial | +6% |
| Minnesota | $4,750 | $6,555 | Partial | +6% |
| New York | $4,750 | $6,555 | Partial | +6% |
| Virginia | $4,750 | $6,555 | Partial | +6% |
| Oregon | $5,000 | $6,900 | Partial | +11% |
| Connecticut | $5,100 | $7,038 | Partial | +13% |
| Maine | $5,100 | $7,038 | Partial | +13% |
| Delaware | $5,200 | $7,176 | Partial | +16% |
| California | $5,500 | $7,590 | Partial | +22% |
| Maryland | $5,500 | $7,590 | Partial | +22% |
| Washington | $5,500 | $7,590 | Partial | +22% |
| Hawaii | $5,800 | $8,004 | Partial | +29% |
| Massachusetts | $6,000 | $8,280 | Partial | +33% |
| Vermont | $6,000 | $8,280 | Partial | +33% |
| New Jersey | $6,100 | $8,418 | Limited | +36% |
| Rhode Island | $6,100 | $8,418 | Partial | +36% |
| New Hampshire | $6,200 | $8,556 | Partial | +38% |
| Alaska | $6,350 | $8,763 | Partial | +41% |
Source: Genworth/CareScout 2026 Cost of Care Survey. Memory care estimate = AL × 1.38. Medicaid coverage indicates partial HCBS waiver availability — asset/income limits and waiting lists apply in all states.
How to Reduce Assisted Living Costs
Medicaid HCBS Waiver
If income and assets are within limits, your state's Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services waiver can cover personal care services in assisted living. Apply early — waiting lists of 1–4 years exist in many states.
Check Medicaid eligibility →VA Aid & Attendance
Wartime veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for up to $2,431/month toward assisted living through the VA Pension benefit — no service-connected disability required.
Take the VA eligibility quiz →Long-Term Care Insurance
If a policy was purchased before care was needed, it can pay $100–$400+/day toward assisted living. Review your policy's elimination period and daily benefit before placing.
LTCI guide →Choose a Lower-Cost State or City
Moving to a more affordable state can save $1,500–$3,000/month. Within any state, rural and suburban facilities typically cost 20–40% less than urban markets.
Browse costs by city →Frequently Asked Questions
Which state has the cheapest assisted living?▾
Mississippi has the lowest assisted living costs at $2,950/month median in 2026. The South generally offers the most affordable rates — Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Missouri are all under $3,600/month.
Which state has the most expensive assisted living?▾
New Hampshire averages $6,200/month — the highest in the continental US. New England states consistently rank most expensive: Rhode Island ($6,100), Massachusetts ($6,000), Vermont ($6,000), and Connecticut ($5,100).
Does Medicaid pay for assisted living?▾
About 37 states offer some Medicaid coverage for assisted living through Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers. Coverage is typically partial — it usually covers personal care services but not room and board. Each state sets its own eligibility criteria, asset limits ($2,000–$15,000 in most states), and covered services.
Why do assisted living costs vary so much by state?▾
Cost variation primarily reflects local labor market wages for caregivers and aides, real estate and construction costs, state staffing ratio requirements, and supply of licensed facilities. Urban areas within any state typically cost 20–50% more than rural areas.
Can VA benefits pay for assisted living?▾
Veterans who served during a wartime period and need help with activities of daily living may qualify for VA Aid & Attendance — up to $2,431/month (2026) toward assisted living costs. This benefit does not require a service-connected disability and can be combined with Social Security income.
What is the national average cost of assisted living in 2026?▾
The national median for assisted living is approximately $4,500/month in 2026, according to Genworth/CareScout data. This covers a private or semi-private room, three daily meals, personal care assistance, and basic utilities. Memory care runs about 38% higher at roughly $6,200/month nationally.
How much has assisted living cost increased in recent years?▾
Assisted living costs have risen roughly 4–7% annually since 2020, outpacing general inflation. The increase is driven by caregiver wage pressures, higher construction costs for new facilities, and growing demand from aging Baby Boomers. Planning for 5% annual increases is a reasonable baseline for financial planning.
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