How Much Does Long-Term Care Cost in 2026?

Long-term care is one of the largest and most unpredictable expenses Americans face in retirement. Whether you need a nursing home, assisted living, home health aide, or adult day care, the costs can add up quickly and drain decades of savings in just a few years. Understanding what long-term care costs in 2026 is the first step toward building a plan that protects your finances and your family.

Nursing Home Costs in 2026

Nursing homes provide the most intensive level of long-term care, offering 24-hour skilled nursing and personal care in a residential setting. They are also the most expensive care option. According to the Administration for Community Living and Genworth Cost of Care data, the national median costs for nursing home care are:

• Private room: Approximately $10,965 to $11,294 per month, or $131,580 to $135,528 per year (ACL, 2024 data, adjusted for inflation)
• Semi-private room: Approximately $9,733 per month, or $116,796 per year

These figures represent national medians, meaning half the facilities charge more and half charge less. In high-cost states like Alaska, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York, a private nursing home room can exceed $15,000 per month. In lower-cost areas in the South and Midwest, you may find facilities closer to $7,000 to $8,000 per month.

The average nursing home stay is approximately 2 to 3 years, which means the total cost of a nursing home stay can easily reach $250,000 to $400,000 or more. For people with conditions like Alzheimer's disease who require memory care, stays can last much longer.

Assisted Living Costs in 2026

Assisted living facilities offer a middle ground between independent living and nursing home care. Residents typically have their own apartment or room and receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and medication management, along with meals, housekeeping, and social activities.

• National median cost: Approximately $5,900 per month, or about $70,800 per year (ACL, 2024 data)

Assisted living costs vary widely by state, with the most expensive states like the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, and New Jersey averaging over $8,000 per month. Many assisted living communities also charge additional fees for higher levels of care. If a resident develops dementia and needs to move to a memory care unit within the facility, costs can increase by $1,000 to $3,000 per month. It is important to understand the full fee structure before committing to a facility.

Home Care and Home Health Aide Costs

Many people prefer to receive long-term care in their own home, and home care is the most common type of long-term care service used. Home care includes both personal care assistance from home health aides and skilled care from licensed nurses or therapists.

• Home health aide (full-time): Approximately $61,776 per year based on 44 hours per week at a national median rate of $27 per hour
• 24-hour home care: Can range from $15,000 to $24,000 or more per month when multiple shifts of caregivers are needed around the clock
• Part-time home care: More affordable for people who only need a few hours of help each day, typically costing $500 to $2,000 per month depending on hours

While home care can be less expensive than residential care for people who need only part-time assistance, it can become more expensive than a nursing home or assisted living when round-the-clock care is required. The key advantage of home care is the ability to remain in familiar surroundings, which can be especially important for emotional well-being.

Adult Day Care Costs

Adult day care programs provide supervised care during daytime hours, typically five days a week. These programs offer social activities, meals, health monitoring, and therapeutic services in a group setting. Adult day care can serve as a bridge for people who need some care but not full-time supervision, and it provides critical respite for family caregivers.

• National median cost: Approximately $78 per day, or about $1,690 per month for five days a week

Adult day care is the most affordable type of formal long-term care, costing a fraction of what nursing homes and assisted living charge. However, it only covers daytime hours and is not suitable for people who need nighttime supervision or around-the-clock care.

How Long-Term Care Costs Vary by Region

Where you live has a major impact on what you will pay for long-term care. Costs can vary by as much as 100 percent or more between the most and least expensive states. For a detailed breakdown, see our state-by-state guide to long-term care costs.

General regional trends include:

• Most expensive: Alaska, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia consistently rank among the highest-cost areas for all types of long-term care
• Least expensive: Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi tend to have among the lowest long-term care costs in the country
• Urban vs. rural: Costs tend to be higher in urban and suburban areas, though rural areas may have fewer options available, which can limit your choices

Long-Term Care Cost Trends and Inflation

Long-term care costs have consistently outpaced general inflation for decades, driven by rising labor costs, increasing demand from an aging population, and workforce shortages in the caregiving industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical care prices increased by approximately 3.2 percent in 2025, compared to the overall Consumer Price Index increase of about 2.8 percent.

What this means for planning is that the costs you see today will be significantly higher by the time you may need care. For example, if you are 55 years old and nursing home costs are $131,000 per year today, at a 4 percent annual inflation rate, those same costs could exceed $240,000 per year in 15 years when you are 70. This is why inflation protection is such an important feature in long-term care insurance policies.

How People Pay for Long-Term Care

Given the significant costs involved, understanding how people pay for long-term care is essential for planning. According to the ACL, long-term care is funded through several major sources.

• Medicaid: The single largest payer for long-term care services in the United States. Medicaid covers nursing home care and some home and community-based services for people who meet strict financial eligibility requirements. However, qualifying for Medicaid typically requires spending down most of your assets.
• Out of pocket: Many people pay for long-term care out of personal savings, retirement accounts, Social Security income, home equity, and other personal resources. This is often the primary funding source before assets are depleted enough to qualify for Medicaid.
• Long-term care insurance: Private long-term care insurance policies can cover a significant portion of care costs, but only about 3 percent of Americans over 50 currently carry a policy.
• Medicare: Medicare only covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing facility care after a qualifying hospital stay and limited home health care for skilled needs. It does not cover custodial care, which makes up the vast majority of long-term care.
• Veterans benefits: The Department of Veterans Affairs provides long-term care services to eligible veterans, including nursing home care, home-based care, and adult day health care through VA facilities and community programs.

How to Plan for Long-Term Care Costs

Planning for long-term care costs should be a central part of your retirement planning. Here are practical steps you can take today:

1. Estimate your costs: Research the cost of care in your area and consider how those costs may grow by the time you need care. Remember to factor in inflation of 3 to 5 percent per year.
2. Evaluate your resources: Add up your retirement savings, home equity, Social Security, pension, and other income sources. Could they cover several years of care without leaving your spouse or family in a difficult financial position?
3. Understand your options: Learn the differences between long-term care insurance and Medicaid so you can make an informed decision about how to protect your assets.
4. Act early: The earlier you start planning and saving, the more options you will have. If you decide long-term care insurance makes sense, applying while you are healthy and in your 50s or early 60s will give you the best chance of qualifying at the lowest rates.
5. Talk to your family: Discuss your preferences for care, your financial situation, and your expectations. This conversation can be difficult, but it is essential for making sure everyone is on the same page.

The costs of long-term care are substantial and continuing to rise. Whether you choose to self-insure, purchase a long-term care insurance policy, or develop a combined strategy, the most important thing is to plan ahead. The worst time to start thinking about long-term care costs is when you already need care.

Keep in mind that these national figures represent medians, and your actual costs could be significantly higher or lower depending on where you live, the level of care you need, and how long you need it. A two-year stay in a nursing home in a high-cost state could easily exceed $300,000. A five-year stay could surpass $700,000. Even relatively modest home care needs of a few hours per day can add up to tens of thousands of dollars per year when sustained over several years.

The financial impact of long-term care extends beyond just the direct costs of services. Family members who provide unpaid caregiving often reduce their own work hours or leave the workforce entirely, losing income and retirement savings in the process. Spouses who deplete joint savings to pay for a partner's care may face their own financial insecurity later. A comprehensive approach to planning considers not only the direct costs of care but also the indirect costs and the financial well-being of the entire family.