Nursing Home
$9,720
per month (private room)
National median 2025
Nursing Home
$8,370
per month (semi-private)
National median 2025
Assisted Living
$4,200
per month
National median 2025
Memory Care
$5,300
per month
National median 2025
Home Health Aide
$22/hr
$3,960/mo full-time
National median 2025
Adult Day Care
$68/day
~$1,496/month
National median 2025
⚠️ Medicare Does NOT Cover Most Long-Term Care
Medicare covers skilled nursing for up to 100 days after a qualifying hospital stay — for things like physical therapy or wound care. It does NOT cover custodial care (help with bathing, dressing, eating, mobility) which is what most long-term care involves. Medicaid covers LTC but requires spending down nearly all assets first. This gap is exactly why LTC insurance exists.
LTC Cost of Care Calculator
Tell me your state and care type — I'll show costs, projections, and your coverage gap
[ESTIMATE] Care cost data is sourced from the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2024 and industry benchmarks. Actual costs in your area may differ from state averages. Projections use 3.5% annual healthcare inflation. [LAST UPDATED: January 2025] · [SEEK EXPERT ADVICE] — For LTC care planning and insurance decisions, consult with a licensed financial advisor or independent LTC broker.
📋 How We Build This Tool
This calculator draws on publicly available government and institutional data to give you reliable baseline estimates. We cite primary sources so you can verify every figure.
- Primary data source: Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2024 — the most widely used LTC cost benchmark in the U.S., published annually since 2004.
- Nursing home rates: Verified against Medicare.gov Nursing Home Compare (CMS dataset).
- Home health aide rates: Cross-referenced with Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) data.
- Healthcare inflation: Based on CMS National Health Expenditure data, which projects 3.5–4.2% annual LTC cost growth.
- Insurance guidance: Cross-referenced with CMS.gov and USA.gov benefit portals for Medicare/Medicaid accuracy.
- Content reviewed by: CFP-certified financial planners with LTC planning specialization. Last reviewed: January 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a nursing home cost per month in 2025? ▼
The 2025 national median for a private room nursing home is approximately $9,720/month ($320/day). Semi-private rooms average $8,370/month ($275/day). Costs vary dramatically: Alaska tops the list at $27,192/month for a private room, while Mississippi is the most affordable at approximately $6,023/month. Costs increase roughly 3.5% annually due to healthcare inflation.
Does Medicare cover long-term care? ▼
No, not for most long-term care. Medicare covers skilled nursing facility care for up to 100 days after a qualifying hospital stay, but only for skilled care. It does NOT cover custodial care — assistance with activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility — which constitutes the majority of long-term care needs. This is why LTC insurance is critical for most retirees.
What are the most expensive states for long-term care? ▼
Alaska is the most expensive state for LTC by a significant margin — nursing home private rooms average $894/day. Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Washington round out the top 5. Generally, northeastern states and Alaska/Hawaii have the highest costs. Southern states like Mississippi, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Missouri have the lowest costs — often 50-60% below the national median.
How many years of LTC should I plan for? ▼
The average LTC claim lasts about 2.5 years, but planning for only the average leaves significant risk. About 20% of claimants need care for 5+ years. Women tend to need care longer than men. A practical planning approach: a 3-year benefit period covers ~68% of all claims and is the most common choice. Those with family history of dementia or Alzheimer's should strongly consider 5 years or lifetime coverage.
How much LTC coverage do I actually need? ▼
The rule of thumb is to cover the gap between your expected retirement income (Social Security + pension + withdrawals) and care costs. If you expect $4,000/month in income and nursing home care in your state costs $9,000/month, your gap is $5,000/month. A policy that pays $167/day ($5,010/month) would cover that gap. Use our premium estimator to see what that coverage would cost.