Costs of Long-Term Care and Senior Living

• Assisted living: $5,419 per month
• Memory care: $6,690 per month
• Independent living: $3,200 per month
• Home care: $34 per hour

Costs are structured differently across care types and settings. Residential senior living options are typically priced as monthly rates that bundle housing with services such as meals, activities, and varying levels of personal care.

Independent living is generally the most affordable type of senior living, since it does not provide hands-on care. Memory care typically costs more due to increased staffing levels, specialized dementia training, and enhanced safety features.

Home care is most often billed hourly, reflecting the flexibility of services delivered in a private residence. Total monthly home care costs depend on the number of hours provided and the intensity of care required, which can make direct comparisons with residential options more complex.

Long-term care and senior living costs vary widely by state due to differences in labor costs, real estate markets, regulatory environments, and the balance between supply and demand for senior care services.

Use the interactive map below to explore median costs for each care type in your state.

The table below shows state-level median costs for independent living, assisted living, memory care, and median starting hourly rates for home care across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

States with higher senior living costs often overlap with regions that have above-average housing prices and wages, while lower median costs are more common in parts of the Midwest and South. However, lower costs do not always correspond to greater access, particularly in markets where limited supply constrains availability.

Apartment size and layout can significantly affect the cost of senior living, though premiums vary by care type and market. Studio apartments are typically the most affordable option, while one- and two-bedroom units command higher monthly rates.

In assisted living, the median starting price of a one-bedroom apartment is often $900 to $1,200 per month higher than a studio, with two-bedroom units carrying substantially larger premiums. Independent living generally shows smaller differences between floor plans, while memory care pricing varies more widely due to specialized staffing requirements and secure design considerations.

Larger floor plans are not available in every market, particularly in memory care settings. As a result, both availability and pricing should be considered when comparing senior living options across states.

The following tables show median monthly starting prices for the most common floor plans in senior living communities across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Starting prices are reported by communities in A Place for Mom’s partner network and generally reflect base rent, excluding additional fees for care services, pets, or other optional charges. Floor plan pricing reflects starting rates captured in early 2026.