2026 Cost Guide · TN
Assisted Living Cost in Tennessee
Average monthly cost of assisted living in Tennessee is $4,500 in 2026 — ranging from $2,800 to $6,500 depending on city, care level, and amenities. Compare cities, understand TennCare CHOICES Medicaid coverage, and learn about veterans benefits available in Tennessee.
Avg Monthly Cost
$4,500
vs. National Avg
At average
Medicaid Covers AL
No
Licensed Facilities
~520
Tennessee Assisted Living Cost Range
Assisted living costs in Tennessee span from $2,800/month for basic shared-room settings to $6,500+/month for premium private suites with specialized memory care. Most residents pay $3,825–$5,400/month for a standard private or companion room with full personal care services.
| Setting / Room Type | Est. Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Shared room, basic AL | $3,080/mo |
| Private room, standard AL | $4,500/mo |
| Private suite with kitchenette | $5,175/mo |
| Memory care (Alzheimer's / dementia unit) | $6,075/mo |
| High-acuity AL / enhanced care | $5,525/mo |
Estimates based on 2026 statewide averages. Actual rates vary by facility, location, and care level. Always request a written fee schedule from each community.
Assisted Living Costs by City in Tennessee
Compare detailed cost breakdowns, Medicaid coverage, and nearby alternatives for individual cities.
What Drives Assisted Living Costs in Tennessee
- Nashville costs have surged 20–30% over 5 years due to rapid population growth
- Knoxville and Chattanooga run 15–20% below Nashville
- Memphis offers more affordable options due to lower real estate costs
- Tennessee has no income tax — an advantage for retirees funding AL costs
- East Tennessee mountain communities carry a retirement-destination premium
Tennessee Medicaid Coverage for Assisted Living
Tennessee's TennCare CHOICES program covers in-home personal care services but does NOT cover room and board in assisted living facilities. For residential care, only nursing home care is covered by TennCare Medicaid. Tennessee has no state income tax, which helps with cash flow for AL expenses.
Important: Even when Medicaid covers personal care in an assisted living setting, it typically does NOT pay for room and board (the housing and meals portion). You are responsible for the room and board cost separately — often $1,200–$2,500/month depending on the facility and Tennessee location.
To apply for Tennessee Medicaid long-term care benefits, contact your local Area Agency on Aging (call 800-677-0133 — the national Eldercare Locator) or your local county Department of Social Services office.
Veterans Benefits for Assisted Living in Tennessee
Tennessee veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for significant financial assistance:
- VA Aid & Attendance pension: Up to $2,830/month for veterans, $1,810/month for surviving spouses (2025 rates)
- VA Housebound allowance: $490–$810/month additional for homebound veterans
- Tennessee state veterans homes: Subsidized skilled nursing care for qualifying veterans
- Free benefit counseling: Contact Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs — they'll screen for all available programs at no cost
See our complete Tennessee veterans assisted living guide for full eligibility details and how to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions: Tennessee Assisted Living Costs
Does Tennessee Medicaid (TennCare) pay for assisted living?▾
Tennessee TennCare CHOICES covers in-home personal care but does NOT cover room and board in assisted living facilities. For residential Medicaid coverage, TennCare only covers skilled nursing home care. Veterans benefits (Aid & Attendance) and long-term care insurance are the primary funding sources for assisted living in Tennessee.
How much does assisted living cost in Nashville?▾
Nashville assisted living averages $4,500–$6,500/month. Brentwood and Franklin (Nashville suburbs) can run $5,500–$7,500 for premium communities. Knoxville averages $3,800–$5,500. Chattanooga averages $3,500–$5,000. Memphis averages $3,200–$4,800. Tennessee's no-income-tax status is a partial offset to higher nominal AL costs.
What is the Tennessee CHOICES Home and Community-Based Services program?▾
TennCare CHOICES Group 1 covers skilled in-home nursing and personal care for individuals who meet nursing home level of care. CHOICES Group 2 covers personal assistance and homemaker services. Both are alternatives to nursing home placement — delivered in the home, not in an AL facility. If you're exploring both home care and AL, CHOICES may bridge the gap.
What license types exist for Tennessee assisted living facilities?▾
Tennessee licenses 'Assisted-Care Living Facilities' (ACLFs) for AL-type care and 'Residential Homes for the Aged' (RHAs) for smaller settings. ACLFs must maintain minimum staffing ratios and meet medication management standards. Tennessee also has memory care units under specific additional licensure. All are regulated by the Tennessee Department of Health.
Are there veterans programs for assisted living in Tennessee?▾
Tennessee has four state veterans homes (Murfreesboro, Humboldt, Knoxville, and Memphis) providing skilled nursing for qualifying veterans. VA Aid & Attendance provides up to $2,830/month to qualifying veterans and $1,810 to surviving spouses to offset AL costs. Contact the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services at 615-741-2345 for free benefit counseling.
Find verified senior care communities
Browse our directory of 2,000+ assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing facilities — each with AllyKin Safety Scores, CMS inspection data, and state licensing records.
Browse all communities →Compare assisted living costs across all cities and states:
← Back to All Cities Cost Comparison