How Much Does Assisted Living Cost? A State-By-State Guide

Depending on the state, the average cost of assisted living ranges from about $4,000 to almost $8,000 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.^[01]

Location greatly affects price because regulations and the cost of living vary considerably throughout the country. A community located in a large metropolitan area, near a desirable destination, or in an area with a higher cost of living is often more expensive. This is especially true in states that have many luxury assisted living communities, such as New York.

The table below lists the average monthly cost of assisted living in each state.

Can you afford assisted living?

Assisted living costs vary significantly across the U.S. due to factors such as availability and differences in the cost of living. Prices for assisted living are highest in Washington, D.C., and lowest in Louisiana. ^[01]

See the 10 most expensive and 10 least expensive states for assisted living in the graphics below.

Typically, the base fee and other up-front costs of assisted living include the following:

• Housing (rent and utilities)
• Three nutritious meals a day, plus snacks
• Help with activities of daily living (ADLs)
• Housekeeping and landscaping services (to reduce resident stress and responsibilities)
• Programming and activities
• Care coordination

Transportation to medical appointments

It’s common for an assisted living community to add a second person fee to the bill for couples who live in the same assisted living apartment. The national median cost of this fee in assisted living is about $1,200 per month.^[01] Beyond the second person fee, your loved ones may be charged differently depending on their individual health issues and assistance needs.

If your loved ones are planning to live together in assisted living, it’s a good idea to ask prospective communities how they approach fees for couples and whether they offer a couple’s discount.

While some assisted living communities charge a flat, all-inclusive fee, others use an a la carte or tiered approach.

All-inclusive

In these communities, the monthly fee includes room and board, care services, and all other services and amenities. Costs don’t change if a resident’s needs change over time — as long as the community offers the level of care they need.

A la carte

These communities charge a base fee and add or remove services as residents’ needs change. For example, if your loved one temporarily needs extra assistance with eating or bathing because of an illness or injury, their costs will be higher during that time. Common add-on services include:

• Medication assistance
• Physical or occupational therapy (provided by a third party)
• Beauty shop or other personal grooming services
• Parking
• Pet rent
• Internet
• Laundry
• Some transportation

Tiered

These communities offer different levels of care at different price points. For example, a lower tier might include help with three ADLs, while a higher tier may support help with five or more ADLs. This approach offers predictable costs while also enabling residents to upgrade to a higher level of care without moving.

Most states require assisted living communities to provide prospective residents with written disclosure of their fees, services, and residency agreement before or when they’re admitted to the community, although the specific requirements vary by state.

“Families are sometimes surprised by charges they weren’t expecting,” says A Place for Mom’s Niki Gewirtz, who has more than 20 years of experience in the senior living industry. “It’s important to understand your loved one’s assistance needs and that they can change over time. Someone who didn’t need much help in the beginning may get injured and need more help for a short period of time. The community will charge more for providing more assistance during that period. But the fees weren’t hidden,” says Gewirtz.

To avoid being surprised by changing fees, ask about a community’s pricing model up front and have a good understanding of your loved one’s assistance needs.

“There are two basic factors that dictate what an assisted living community will cost,” says Gewirtz. “The apartment itself — whether it’s a studio or a two-bedroom — and the additional care fees. It’s not uncommon for families to underestimate how much assistance their loved one requires, whether it’s help with medication, showering, or remembering to eat.”

“A nurse in an assisted living community will typically do an assessment when a resident moves in and again about 30 days after move-in. That’s what determines the level of assistance someone needs,” Gewirtz explains.

Ask the following questions to learn more about how a prospective assisted living community approaches pricing:

1. How much does assisted living cost per month?
2. Is this cost all-inclusive?
3. If the cost isn’t all-inclusive, what’s included in the base rate?
4. Are there a la carte options to add to the base rate? How much do each of these options cost?
5. Are there pricing tiers for different levels of care?
6. Is there a move-in fee or community fee? If so, how much is it? Is it due all at once, or can we pay for it over time?
7. Does the cost increase annually?
8. How much does pricing vary by floor plan?
9. What happens if my loved one’s care needs change and they need to move to a higher level of care?
10. What happens if our family can no longer pay?

Expert advice for affordable assisted living

According to A Place for Mom’s proprietary cost data, the nationwide average monthly cost of assisted living is about 65% more than the cost of independent living and is less expensive than memory care or a nursing home.^[01]

Expect costs to rise incrementally, says Gewirtz. “The cost of assisted living has been going up about 5% per year,” she explains.

* — Based on the national average cost of $32 per hour for 20 hours of care per week.

Note: Home care, memory care, assisted living, and independent living costs above are A Place for Mom national averages. Nursing home costs are national median estimates from CareScout.

Families often pay for assisted living using a combination of options that may include:

• Long-term care insurance
• Medicaid
• Veterans benefits
• Private pay (income, savings, retirement accounts, etc.)
• Selling a home

Finding the most appropriate and affordable assisted living community can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. The first step is to understand your loved one’s current expenses. A Place for Mom’s senior living cost calculator helps families easily itemize those expenses and compare them to the cost of a single monthly payment in an assisted living community.

Once you have a clear picture of what your loved one is spending today, you’ll be ready to talk with someone who can provide experienced insight about the benefits of assisted living and communities in your area. At an average monthly cost of $5,830, one year in an assisted living community costs about $69,960. That’s a significant investment, and you and your loved one deserve to feel confident about the community you choose. Specialized and compassionate Senior Living Advisors at A Place for Mom provide free and meaningful consultations as you consider each community and options for payment.