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How Much Do Nursing Homes Cost? A State by State Guide
Written by Kevin Ryan
about the author
11 minute readLast updated June 16, 2023
Reviewed by Lucinda OrtigaoLucinda Ortigao is President of Cape Investment Consulting Inc. and is a certified financial planner.
Nursing homes provide round-the-clock supervision and a high level of custodial and medical care for seniors and adults with some disabilities. The price of nursing home care can vary by location and facility, ranging from $6,000 to over $31,000 per month according to a report published by Genworth Financial. In addition to location, the specific services a person requires can affect overall costs. Some patients may stay temporarily while recovering from an injury or illness, but nursing homes can also provide long-term care for patients who require a residential living option that provides ongoing skilled support.
Key Takeaways
- The median cost of a private room in a nursing home is $9,034 per month. Sharing a semi-private room is slightly less expensive at $7,908 per month.
- Nursing home costs vary by state. Prices for nursing home care are typically more expensive in areas with high costs of living.
- Medical professionals provide a high level of care in nursing homes. As a result, nursing home care is more expensive than other senior care types such as assisted living and in-home care.
- Nursing homes provide both temporary and long-term care options. The high level of care offered at nursing homes supports people recovering from an injury or illness and those with ongoing health conditions.
Cost of nursing homes
The national median cost for a private room in a nursing home in the United States was $297 per day according to the most recent data from 2021. This adds up to $9,034 each month and approximately $108,405 per year. The median cost for a semi-private room, where a resident typically shares a room with at least one other person, is slightly less at $260 per day, totaling $7,908 monthly and $94,900 annually.[01] Senior care costs, including nursing home care, have risen consistently over the past five years. Prices increased 3% between 2019 and 2020, slowing slightly from 2020 to 2021, with increases of 2.41% for a private room and 1.96% for semi-private accommodations.[01] While the costs for this level of care can seem daunting, there are several ways for families to pay for senior care.
Nursing home cost by state
Nursing home costs vary by state and typically reflect an area’s cost of living. While there are exceptions, you’ll find that nursing homes in states with higher costs of living such as Alaska, New York, and Hawaii cost more than in states like Kansas and Missouri where the cost of living is lower.
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In addition to location, the high level of care provided by trained medical professionals at nursing homes costs more than other senior care types. The following table compares the median monthly costs of a private room in a nursing home with the median monthly costs of assisted living and home care for each state.[02] However, note that in-home care is typically priced on an hourly basis while nursing homes and assisted living communities charge daily or monthly rates. The monthly in-home care costs below are for 44 hours of care per week.
| State | Private Nursing Home Room | Assisted Living | In-Home Care |
| Alabama | $7,026 | $3,503 | $3,851 |
| Alaska | $31,512 | $6,830 | $5,720 |
| Arizona | $8,030 | $4,000 | $5,434 |
| Arkansas | $6,692 | $3,760 | $4,195 |
| California | $12,167 | $5,250 | $6,101 |
| Colorado | $9,726 | $4,750 | $6,387 |
| Connecticut | $15,170 | $5,129 | $5,339 |
| Delaware | $12,577 | $5,995 | $5,339 |
| District of Columbia | $10,494 | $6,978 | $5,577 |
| Florida | $9,627 | $4,000 | $4,767 |
| Georgia | $7,604 | $3,535 | $4,385 |
| Hawaii | $14,113 | $5,375 | $5,720 |
| Idaho | $9,125 | $3,838 | $5,434 |
| Illinois | $7,156 | $4,488 | $5,339 |
| Indiana | $8,700 | $,4283 | $4,767 |
| Iowa | $7,452 | $4,367 | $5,577 |
| Kansas | $6,813 | $4,580 | $4,671 |
| Kentucky | $7,969 | $3,448 | $4,767 |
| Louisiana | $6,060 | $3,748 | $3,718 |
| Maine | $11,254 | $5,865 | $5,720 |
| Maryland | $12,167 | $4,900 | $5,148 |
| Massachusetts | $13,535 | $6,500 | $5,911 |
| Michigan | $9,855 | $4,250 | $5,529 |
| Minnesota | $13,072 | $4,508 | $6,912 |
| Mississippi | $7,314 | $3,500 | $3,813 |
| Missouri | $5,931 | $3,000 | $4,767 |
| Montana | $8,060 | $4,450 | $5,339 |
| Nebraska | $8,289 | $4,076 | $5,339 |
| Nevada | $10,007 | $3,750 | $5,148 |
| New Hampshire | $12,015 | $6,053 | $6,197 |
| New Jersey | $12,151 | $6,495 | $5,710 |
| New Mexico | $8,365 | $4,498 | $4,652 |
| New York | $13,233 | $4,580 | $5,529 |
| North Carolina | $8,213 | $4,010 | $4,385 |
| North Dakota | $12,587 | $3,391 | $5,689 |
| Ohio | $8,213 | $4,635 | $5,053 |
| Oklahoma | $6,083 | $3,855 | $4,862 |
| Oregon | $11,113 | $5,045 | $6,101 |
| Pennsylvania | $11,157 | $4,100 | $4,957 |
| Rhode Island | $10,038 | $6,826 | $5,958 |
| South Carolina | $7,984 | $3,612 | $4,481 |
| South Dakota | $7,604 | $3,350 | $5,911 |
| Tennessee | $7,665 | $4,105 | $4,576 |
| Texas | $7,092 | $3,998 | $4,576 |
| Utah | $9,125 | $3,500 | $5,720 |
| Vermont | $11,102 | $5,250 | $5,720 |
| Virginia | $9,155 | $5,250 | $4,954 |
| Washington | $10,466 | $6,000 | $6,578 |
| West Virginia | $12,212 | $4,160 | $3,575 |
| Wisconsin | $9,733 | $4,600 | $5,720 |
| Wyoming | $7,635 | $4,169 | $5,529 |
What’s included in the cost of a nursing home?
Nursing homes provide a high level of care for individuals who are recovering from an injury or illness or require long-term support for a chronic condition. For example, a nursing home may be the proper fit for an individual with a disability or progressive illness that prevents them from living at home or in other care settings safely. Nursing home residents receive 24-hour care and medical supervision from licensed medical professionals. Nursing home services include skilled nursing care, which may include: Nursing homes also provide meals, housekeeping, and activities for residents who are able to participate. Additionally, similar to an assisted living community, nursing home residents may receive support with personal care activities, such as toileting, bathing, mobility, incontinence care, and dressing.[03]
- Wound care
- Injections
- Catheter care
- Dialysis
- Rehabilitation services such as occupational, physical, and speech therapies
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Support for families exploring nursing home care
Finding the right type of care for an aging loved one can be challenging. Understanding their needs is essential and a good place to start. Once you have a good idea of what type of care your loved one needs, there are several ways to learn more about nursing homes, including: If you’re unsure where to start, our Senior Care Advisors can help by providing information about the different senior care options in your area.
- Using the internet to research facilities, services, and amenities
- Asking friends or family for personal experiences and recommendations
- Speaking with your loved one’s doctor or other care team members
- Using the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) nursing home compare tool to explore facility ratings
- Contacting your loved one’s local long-term care ombudsman
- Visiting the nursing homes you’re considering for your loved one
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References
Genworth. (2022, January 31). Cost of Care Survey.
Genworth. (2022, January 31). Genworth Cost of Care Survey: Median Cost Data Tables.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2019, October). Your Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home or Other Long-Term Services & Supports.
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