2026 Senior Care Cost Report
National and state benchmarks for assisted living, memory care, and nursing home costs across 1,100+ U.S. metros — with demographic context and Medicaid coverage data. Free for journalists, researchers, and families.
Key Findings — 2026
$4,774/month
National median — Assisted Living
Up ~4% from 2024. Ranges from $2,800 in Mississippi to $7,500+ in California.
$6,480/month
National median — Memory Care
35% premium over assisted living. Higher staff ratios + secured environment account for the gap.
$8,669/month
National median — Skilled Nursing (semi-private)
Long-term nursing home residents spend down to Medicaid in a median of 18 months.
54M+
Americans aged 65+ (2022 Census)
Growing ~3% annually. Florida has the highest rate at 20.9%; California has the most seniors at 5.87M.
State-by-State Benchmarks
Full 1,100+ City Index →| State | Assisted Living | Memory Care | Cost Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $5,200/mo | $6,800/mo | Most Expensive |
| New York | $5,000/mo | $6,600/mo | High Cost |
| Massachusetts | $5,800/mo | $7,200/mo | Most Expensive |
| Arizona | $4,100/mo | $5,400/mo | Mid-Range |
| Florida | $4,000/mo | $5,200/mo | Affordable |
| Texas | $4,100/mo | $5,300/mo | Affordable |
| Illinois | $4,500/mo | $5,800/mo | Mid-Range |
| Pennsylvania | $4,400/mo | $5,700/mo | Mid-Range |
Median monthly rate for private room. Actual costs vary by community, care level, and room configuration.View full metro data →
Cost Trends & Key Drivers
Assisted living costs have risen ~16% since pre-pandemic levels. Direct care worker wages — the single largest operating cost — rose 22% in the same period, driven by state minimum wage increases and federal staffing mandates.
The US 65+ population hit 54 million in 2022 and is growing ~3% annually. Florida (20.9%), Maine (22.6%), and West Virginia (21.8%) have the highest concentrations, signaling future demand pressure in Sun Belt states.
Most nursing home residents eventually transition to Medicaid after spending down personal assets. The median spend-down period is ~18 months. Medicaid does not cover assisted living room and board in most states.
For Journalists & Researchers
All AllyKin cost data is free to cite with attribution. For custom data queries, embargo briefings, or to arrange an expert interview, contact our team.
Cite this report
AllyKin. (2026). 2026 Senior Care Cost Report. allykin.com/senior-care-costs-2026
Full city data
1,100+ metro benchmarks at allykin.com/costs. State and city-level CSV available by request.
Press contact
help@allykin.com
Subject: AllyKin Cost Report Press Inquiry
Methodology
- Assisted living and memory care benchmarks derived from Genworth 2025 Cost of Care Survey, CMS provider cost reports, and AllyKin's proprietary facility pricing database.
- Nursing home benchmarks based on CMS Provider Data Catalog skilled nursing facility records and Medicare cost reports.
- Metro-level estimates use a regional multiplier model calibrated against available public state-level data.
- Population data from US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS5) 2022 estimates.
- Dataset covers 1,100+ U.S. metros and all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.
- All figures are 2026 estimates. Actual costs vary by facility, care level, and room type.
Sources: Genworth 2025 Cost of Care Survey · CMS Provider Data Catalog · US Census Bureau ACS5 2022 · AllyKin facility pricing database (12,000+ records). All figures are estimates. AllyKin is not affiliated with Genworth Financial.
Data FAQs
How much has senior care cost increased since 2020?▾
Assisted living costs have increased approximately 15–20% since 2020, driven by labor shortages, wage increases for direct care workers, and inflation in food and utilities. The 2024 median of $4,774/month compares to approximately $4,100/month in 2020 — a 16% increase. Memory care and nursing home costs have increased at similar rates.
Which states have the most affordable senior care in 2026?▾
The most affordable states for assisted living are Mississippi ($2,800–$3,200/month), Missouri ($3,100–$3,600/month), Alabama ($3,200–$3,700/month), Arkansas ($3,000–$3,500/month), and Louisiana ($3,400–$3,800/month). Lower cost-of-living and lower labor costs in these states translate to lower care rates.
What are the most expensive states for senior care?▾
Massachusetts ($5,800/month median), California ($5,200/month), Hawaii ($6,100/month), Connecticut ($5,600/month), and New York ($5,000/month) are the most expensive for assisted living. Memory care in these states often exceeds $8,000/month. High labor costs and real estate are the primary cost drivers.
How does senior care cost compare to staying home?▾
In-home care costs approximately $30/hour nationally. For 44 hours per week (a common full-time schedule), that's ~$5,720/month — more than the assisted living median. Part-time home care (20 hrs/week) costs ~$2,600/month. The break-even point is typically 50–60 hours of weekly in-home care, beyond which assisted living becomes more cost-effective.
Does Medicaid cover senior care costs?▾
Medicaid pays the full cost of nursing home care for financially eligible residents. For assisted living and memory care, most states offer Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers that cover care services but not room and board. The national Medicaid asset limit is $2,000 in countable assets for an individual. Approximately 61% of long-term nursing home residents are on Medicaid.
Can journalists use this data for free?▾
Yes. AllyKin publishes the Senior Care Cost Report as a free public resource. Journalists, researchers, and policymakers may cite the data with attribution to AllyKin. For custom data queries or press inquiries, contact help@allykin.com. A downloadable CSV of state-level benchmarks is available at allykin.com/costs.
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