Long-Term Care Cost
Calculator
Long-term care is one of the largest expenses most families will ever face — and the one they're least prepared for. Nursing home costs average nearly $10,000 per month nationally, and Medicare doesn't cover it. Use this calculator to estimate costs in your state and start planning before a crisis forces your hand.
Important: This tool provides educational estimates only — not legal advice. Made For Law is not a law firm and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any federal, state, county, or local government agency or court system. Calculator results are based on statutory formulas and publicly available fee schedules — not AI. Supporting content is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Results may not reflect recent legislative changes or your specific circumstances. Do not rely solely on these estimates — always verify with official sources and consult a licensed attorney before making legal or financial decisions. Full disclaimer
Estimate Your Long-Term Care Costs
Select your state and care type to see estimated monthly and annual costs, plus projected future costs with inflation.
Types of Long-Term Care
Long-term care spans a range of settings, from 24/7 skilled nursing to part-time adult day programs. Costs vary significantly by the level of care needed.
Nursing Home (Skilled Nursing)
$9,733/month
24-hour skilled nursing care, meals, medication management, rehabilitation therapy, and personal care. Required for individuals who need constant medical supervision. National median for a semi-private room.
Assisted Living
$5,350/month
Private apartment or room with meals, housekeeping, medication reminders, and help with daily activities. Ideal for those who need assistance but not 24/7 medical care. Memory care units cost $6,500-$8,500/month.
Home Health Aide
$6,292/month
A trained aide comes to your home to help with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and light housekeeping. Based on 44 hours/week. Allows aging in place but requires the home to be safe and accessible.
Adult Day Care
$1,885/month
Structured daytime program providing social activities, meals, and supervision. Allows family caregivers to work or rest. Typically operates weekdays, 6-8 hours per day. The most affordable option for supplemental care.
Long-Term Care Costs by State
Costs vary dramatically by geography. Alaska is the most expensive state for nursing home care; Mississippi is the least. Here are median monthly costs for 10 key states.
| State | Nursing Home | Assisted Living | Home Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $30,231 | $7,350 | $8,357 |
| Connecticut | $15,262 | $6,420 | $6,578 |
| New York | $13,884 | $5,720 | $6,864 |
| Massachusetts | $13,903 | $6,150 | $6,578 |
| California | $11,459 | $5,750 | $7,150 |
| New Jersey | $12,489 | $6,030 | $6,292 |
| Florida | $10,570 | $4,500 | $5,720 |
| Texas | $7,698 | $4,576 | $5,148 |
| Ohio | $8,769 | $4,950 | $5,720 |
| Mississippi | $6,388 | $3,650 | $4,290 |
Figures shown are median monthly costs for 2026. Nursing home costs are for a semi-private room. Home health is based on 44 hours/week.
How to Pay for Long-Term Care
Most families use a combination of funding sources. Understanding your options early gives you more choices and better outcomes.
Medicaid (After Spend-Down)
Medicaid is the largest payer of long-term care in the U.S., covering about 60% of nursing home residents. You must spend down assets to your state's limit (typically $2,000) to qualify. Medicaid planning with an elder law attorney can legally protect significant assets.
Long-Term Care Insurance
Policies pay a daily or monthly benefit for care in nursing homes, assisted living, or at home. Best purchased in your 50s or early 60s when premiums are lower and you're more likely to qualify. Hybrid life/LTC policies assure a benefit even if you never need care.
VA Benefits
The VA's Aid & Attendance pension provides up to $2,431/month for veterans and $1,564/month for surviving spouses who need help with daily activities. This benefit can be combined with other income sources to cover care costs.
Reverse Mortgage
Homeowners 62+ can tap home equity through a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) to pay for care. The loan doesn't need to be repaid until the homeowner permanently leaves the home. Can provide a lump sum, monthly payments, or line of credit.
Life Insurance Conversion
Many life insurance policies can be converted to pay for long-term care through accelerated death benefits, life settlements (selling the policy), or 1035 exchanges into combination life/LTC policies. This turns an underused asset into immediate care funding.
Personal Savings
Self-funding works best for those with substantial retirement savings. Financial planners generally recommend earmarking $300,000-$500,000 specifically for potential long-term care needs. Health savings accounts (HSAs) can be used tax-free for qualified long-term care expenses.
Long-Term Care Insurance
LTC insurance can protect your savings and give you more choices about where and how you receive care. Here's what you need to know.
When to Buy
The sweet spot is ages 50-60. You're old enough that planning is relevant, young enough to qualify and get reasonable rates. Premiums at 55 are roughly half what they'll be at 65, and about 20-30% of applicants over 60 are declined for health reasons.
Average Premiums
A 55-year-old couple can expect to pay $3,000-$5,500/year combined for a policy with $150/day benefits, 3-year benefit period, and 3% compound inflation protection. Single applicants pay more per person. Premiums can increase over time.
Benefit Triggers
Benefits are triggered when you need help with at least 2 of 6 Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring, and continence. Cognitive impairment (like dementia) also qualifies regardless of physical ability.
Inflation Protection
Critical feature. With care costs rising 3-5% annually, a policy without inflation protection loses purchasing power every year. Compound inflation protection (3% or 5%) usually preserves more coverage than simple inflation. This single feature can double or triple your premium.
Planning Ahead
- 1Assess Current & Future Needs
Evaluate health conditions, family history, and the likelihood of needing care. About 70% of people over 65 will need some form of long-term care.
- 2Tour Facilities in Your Area
Visit nursing homes, assisted living communities, and adult day programs before there's urgency. Compare quality ratings, staffing ratios, and costs.
- 3Understand the True Costs
Use our calculator to estimate costs in your state. Factor in inflation — care needed in 10 years will cost 35-60% more than today's prices.
- 4Explore Medicaid Planning
If Medicaid may be part of your strategy, begin planning at least 5 years in advance to avoid look-back penalties. Asset protection trusts and other strategies require time to be effective.
- 5Consult an Elder Law Attorney
An elder law attorney can help structure your finances, create necessary legal documents (powers of attorney, healthcare directives), and build a plan that protects your assets while preserving access to care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Edited and reviewed by our editorial team. Answers are general information — not legal advice.
How much does a nursing home cost?
The national median cost for a semi-private nursing home room is $9,733 per month ($116,800/year) in 2026. A private room averages $10,946/month ($131,352/year). Costs vary dramatically by state — Alaska averages over $30,000/month while Mississippi averages under $6,500/month. Urban areas within each state typically cost 20-40% more than rural areas.
How much does assisted living cost?
The national median cost for assisted living is $5,350 per month ($64,200/year) in 2026. This typically includes a private room or apartment, meals, housekeeping, and basic personal care assistance. Memory care units for dementia patients cost significantly more — usually $6,500-$8,500/month. Additional services like medication management may incur extra fees.
Does Medicare pay for nursing home care?
Medicare only covers short-term skilled nursing care — up to 100 days following a qualifying 3-day hospital stay. Medicare pays 100% for days 1-20 and requires a daily copay of $204.50 for days 21-100. After day 100, Medicare pays nothing. Medicare does NOT cover long-term custodial care, which is what most nursing home residents need. This is the most common misconception in elder care planning.
How to pay for long-term care without insurance?
Without long-term care insurance, options include: personal savings and investments, Medicaid (after spending down assets to state limits), VA Aid & Attendance benefits for veterans and surviving spouses, reverse mortgages to tap home equity, life insurance policy conversions or accelerated death benefits, selling a life insurance policy (life settlement), and family caregiving combined with respite services.
What is the average length of a nursing home stay?
The average nursing home stay is approximately 2.2 years, but this varies significantly. About 50% of residents stay less than 1 year (often for rehabilitation after surgery), while 25% stay 3 years or longer. Women average longer stays than men (2.5 years vs 1.8 years). For financial planning purposes, many advisors recommend planning for 3-5 years of potential care needs.
When should I buy long-term care insurance?
The ideal time to buy long-term care insurance is in your mid-50s to early 60s. Premiums increase significantly with age — a policy purchased at 55 costs roughly half what it would at 65. You must be healthy enough to qualify; insurers decline about 20-30% of applicants over 60. Hybrid policies that combine life insurance with LTC benefits have become increasingly popular as they assure a payout even if you never need care.
Can I deduct long-term care costs on taxes?
Yes, if you itemize deductions. Long-term care costs qualify as medical expenses, deductible to the extent they exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. Long-term care insurance premiums are also deductible up to age-based limits ($5,880 per person if you're over 70 in 2026). Payments from qualified LTC insurance policies are generally tax-free. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
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