{"id":294,"title":"Nursing Home Costs in 2025 by State and Type of Care","slug":"nursing-home-vs-skilled-nursing-facility-which-option-is-right-for-you","lang":"en","description":"Finding a quality nursing home close to you involves more than a quick map search. Use the steps below to build a shortlist, compare quality, and tour facilities with confidence.","content":"

Location, duration of stay, and services required are just a few of the factors that impact the cost of nursing home care. We’ve researched thousands of senior care facilities to discover pricing in all 50 states, combining our research with data from CareScout (a subsidiary of Genworth). The median cost of a private room in a nursing home is $361 per day or $10,965 per month in 2025.

Semiprivate rooms are more affordable with median prices of $314 per day or $9,555 per month. That adds up to an annual expense of $114,665 for a semiprivate room or $131,583 for a private room.¹ Fortunately, there are many ways families can make this necessary care more affordable.

Key Takeaways

Nursing home costs can vary by location, room type, and degree of care required.
Semiprivate room costs range from $5,639 per month in Texas to $31,282 per month in Alaska.
Private room costs range from $7,300 per month in Texas to $31,282 per month in Alaska.

How Much Do Nursing Homes Cost? Median Costs in 2025
Nursing Home Costs By State
What Is a Nursing Home?
Cost of Nursing Homes vs. Assisted Living
Cost of Nursing Homes vs. In-Home Care
Are Nursing Home Costs Tax-Deductible?
How to Pay for Nursing Home Costs
How Can I Find Nursing Homes Near Me?

How Much Do Nursing Homes Cost? Median Costs in 2025

The long-term cost of nursing home care will depend on factors such as your location, the provider, stay duration, and the need for any special services.

In some cases, facilities’ rates are all-inclusive, while others may charge additional fees for certain services, including physical therapy, speech therapy, and memory care.

Room type	Daily	Monthly	Annually
Semiprivate room	$314	$9,555	$114,665
Private room	$361	$10,965	$131,583

Rates have climbed in recent years, a trend that looks to continue. If current projections hold, the monthly cost of a semiprivate room in a nursing home will be approximately $11,077 by 2030, an increase of 15.9 percent. For semiprivate and private rooms, expected annual costs have already passed the six-figure mark.

The chart below shows past, present, and projected future costs, side by side.

Room type	2016	2025	2030
Semiprivate room	$82,128	$114,665	$132,928
Private room	$92,376	$131,583	$152,540

Nursing Home Costs By State

The state where you receive care impacts nursing home costs as much as the room type. In 2025, monthly median costs for a semiprivate room range from $5,639 in Texas to $31,282 in Alaska.

State	Semiprivate cost per month	Private cost per month
Alabama	$8,397	$8,773
Alaska	$31,282	$31,282
Arizona	$7,832	$10,809
Arkansas	$7,362	$7,942
California	$12,046	$15,633
Colorado	$10,339	$12,000
Connecticut	$15,508	$17,074
Delaware	$14,599	$15,336
District of Columbia	$11,952	$15,664
Florida	$10,652	$11,905
Georgia	$9,086	$9,712
Hawaii	$15,540	$16,855
Idaho	$10,370	$11,028
Illinois	$8,145	$9,399
Indiana	$8,741	$10,668
Iowa	$9,195	$9,947
Kansas	$7,989	$8,773
Kentucky	$8,992	$10,244
Louisiana	$7,707	$7,832
Maine	$13,315	$14,302
Maryland	$12,876	$14,881
Massachusetts	$14,881	$16,009
Michigan	$10,965	$11,921
Minnesota	$12,532	$14,490
Mississippi	$9,931	$10,182
Missouri	$6,548	$7,362
Montana	$9,336	$9,712
Nebraska	$8,631	$10,339
Nevada	$11,545	$13,174
New Hampshire	$12,845	$13,534
New Jersey	$12,751	$14,788
New Mexico	$10,057	$11,028
New York	$15,164	$16,025
North Carolina	$9,086	$10,182
North Dakota	$9,148	$9,963
Ohio	$9,305	$10,339
Oklahoma	$6,641	$7,832
Oregon	$16,292	$17,607
Pennsylvania	$12,187	$13,347
Rhode Island	$11,748	$13,080
South Carolina	$9,227	$9,822
South Dakota	$9,086	$9,618
Tennessee	$9,399	$10,151
Texas	$5,639	$7,300
Utah	$8,616	$10,965
Vermont	$14,099	$15,664
Virginia	$8,929	$10,120
Washington	$13,095	$14,255
West Virginia	$12,845	$13,252
Wisconsin	$10,370	$11,592
Wyoming	$10,213	$10,636
Nationwide	$9,555	$10,965

In every state, the cost of both semiprivate and private rooms in nursing homes rose between 2023 and 2024, and the current estimates for 2025 show even higher costs. For some states, the increases have been dramatic.

Carescout examined each state’s compound annual growth rate from 2023 to 2024 for the cost of semiprivate and private rooms in nursing homes. They found that, nationally, the median price rose year-over-year by 7 percent, while the median cost of private rooms rose by 9 percent.²

The table below shows the median annual increase in nursing home costs by state.

State	Semiprivate	Private
Alabama	2%	2%
Alaska	5%	5%
Arizona	1%	1%
Arkansas	4%	3%
California	5%	5%
Colorado	4%	4%
Connecticut	2%	3%
Delaware	5%	5%
District of Columbia	1%	-2%
Florida	3%	3%
Georgia	4%	4%
Hawaii	3%	4%
Idaho	4%	4%
Illinois	2%	3%
Indiana	3%	3%
Iowa	4%	4%
Kansas	4%	4%
Kentucky	3%	3%
Louisiana	3%	3%
Maine	5%	5%
Maryland	4%	5%
Massachusetts	2%	2%
Michigan	4%	4%
Minnesota	10%	10%
Mississippi	2%	2%
Missouri	2%	2%
Montana	3%	3%
Nebraska	6%	5%
Nevada	3%	3%
New Hampshire	2%	3%
New Jersey	3%	2%
New Mexico	3%	3%
New York	3%	3%
North Carolina	3%	2%
North Dakota	2%	3%
Ohio	3%	2%
Oklahoma	4%	4%
Oregon	4%	4%
Pennsylvania	3%	3%
Rhode Island	3%	1%
South Carolina	4%	4%
South Dakota	3%	3%
Tennessee	4%	4%
Texas	3%	4%
Utah	5%	7%
Vermont	4%	5%
Virginia	4%	4%
Washington	3%	3%
West Virginia	7%	7%
Wisconsin	3%	3%
Wyoming	1%	1%
Nationwide	7%	9%

Most and Least Expensive States for Nursing Home Costs

Semiprivate Room: 10 Most Expensive States

Alaska: $31,282
Oregon: $16,292
Hawaii: $15,540
Connecticut: $15,508
New York: $15,164
Massachusetts: $14,881
Delaware: $14,599
Vermont: $14,099
Maine: $13,315
Washington: $13,095

Semiprivate Room: 10 Least Expensive States

Texas: $5,639
- Missouri: $6,548
- Oklahoma: $6,641
- Arkansas: $7,362
- Louisiana: $7,707
- Arizona: $7,832
- Kansas: $7,989
- Illinois: $8,145
- Alabama: $8,397
- Utah: $8,616

Private Room: 10 Most Expensive States

Alaska: $31,282
Oregon: $17,607
Connecticut: $17,074
Hawaii: $16,855
New York: $16,025
Massachusetts: $16,009
Vermont: $15,664
California: $15,633
Delaware: $15,336
Maryland: $14,881

Private Room: 10 Least Expensive States

Texas: $7,300
Missouri: $7,362
Louisiana: $7,832
Oklahoma: $7,832
Arkansas: $7,942
Alabama: $8,773
Kansas: $8,773
Illinois: $9,399
South Dakota: $9,618
Georgia: $9,712

What Is a Nursing Home?

Nursing homes provide nursing care for seniors around the clock and have 24-hour medical care. This type of care is similar to skilled nursing care and convalescent care.

While seniors typically transition into a nursing home permanently, some homes also offer shorter stays for those requiring rehabilitation after an injury, illness, or surgery that may require skilled nurses and/or therapists.

Whether you need these services part-time or full-time, nursing home care comes at a premium price compared to other health care options. However, it also provides older adults with all the valuable services they need related to medical care, socialization, rehabilitation, and housekeeping in environments designed to offer the comforts of home.

Cost of Nursing Homes vs. Assisted Living

Assisted living costs continue to rise, but these communities are more affordable than nursing homes because they provide less intensive care. The estimated median cost of assisted living facilities is about $201 per day. That equates to $6,129 per month or $73,548 per year, depending on your location.

While the costs have risen, assisted living is far more affordable than semiprivate or private rooms in nursing homes. It’s essential to note that these figures don’t account for specialized care, such as memory care or care for disabilities.

Cost of Nursing Homes vs. In-Home Care

Options for in-home care providers include homemaking service providers, who can help older people with activities of daily living and household tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and running errands. Home health aides are another option since they are trained to provide more extensive care while also serving as companions.

Sometimes, individuals and families may choose skilled in-home nursing care, typically provided by a registered nurse or certified therapist who can administer medication and monitor vitals regularly. However, the more intense the medical care required, the higher the cost.

For example, typical homemaker companion services cost about $213 per day, home health aides cost $220 per day, and for a 10-hour workday, a typical registered nurse would make around $400. However, in most cases, these services aren’t needed all day or daily.

Are Nursing Home Costs Tax-Deductible?

In most cases, out-of-pocket senior care costs at a nursing home are tax-deductible under itemized medical expenses. If you, your parent, spouse, or another legitimate dependent is in nursing care primarily for medical care, any fees related to medical care, lodging, and meals are deductible.

However, seniors in nursing homes for personal reasons (rather than medical) will only be allowed to deduct costs associated with actual medical care, excluding meals and boarding costs. Visit our guide to health care tax deductions to learn more about ways to deduct medical expenses.

How to Pay for Nursing Home Costs

Nursing care expenses can be paid for privately. However, you can also fund your care in other ways, including through health insurance, life insurance, long-term insurance policies, savings, reverse mortgages, and local or regional agency assistance.

Payment options

Medicare Coverage for Nursing Home Costs
Medicaid Coverage for Nursing Home Care
Veterans Benefits for Skilled Nursing Care
Private Pay
Annuity (Savings)
Life Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance
Renting Out a Property
Bridge Loan
Reverse Mortgage Loan

Medicare Coverage for Nursing Home Costs

Medicare will only cover skilled nursing care expenses in specific situations and shouldn’t be used to pay for nursing home or custodial care costs in the long term.

One such situation is when a senior has been hospitalized and released but still requires some specialized care. Medicare will help pay for short-term stays in nursing homes if they:

Were admitted to the hospital for a minimum of three days.
Have been admitted to a Medicare-certified facility within 30 days of the hospital stay.
Need skilled care like physical therapy, speech therapy, and other types of rehabilitation.

Those who meet these conditions under original Medicare will qualify for assistance as follows.

Up to 20 days of nursing care are 100 percent covered by Medicare.
After day 21 and up to day 100, patients will pay a copay of up to $200 per day.
After 100 days, all Medicare coverage ends, and all payments are the patient’s responsibility.

Pro Tip:

If you’re a new caregiver to a senior adult, check out our Compassionate Caregiving Course for tips and tricks.

Medicaid Coverage for Nursing Home Care

Medicaid coverage assists beneficiaries with multiple types of medical care, including doctor’s visits, hospital stays, and long-term care services such as those received in a skilled nursing facility.

Often, this program covers 100 percent of these costs, though there may be copayments for select beneficiaries. For those who qualify for Medicaid, this is the best choice for nursing care coverage.

Did You Know?

Nationally, Medicaid paid for an average of 82 cents per dollar spent on care for nursing home patients.⁴

Veterans' Benefits for Skilled Nursing Care

Veterans with service-related injuries and disabilities can receive full coverage from the Department of Veterans Affairs for long-term care services at specified locations or through certain providers approved by the department.

Long-term VA care includes 24/7 nursing care, physical therapy, help with daily tasks, comfort care, and pain management. Those without service-related disabilities may also qualify for VA benefits. However, copayments may be required, depending on the veteran’s status. Visit our guide to veteran senior care to learn more about the various types of senior housing.

FYI:

Not all nursing homes are created equal. Use our senior living amenities checklist to find the benefits you need.

Private Pay

It’s common to pay for nursing home care privately before moving to Medicare or another funding source later. The main benefit of private payments is flexibility.

With Medicare and other taxpayer-subsidized programs, seniors have fewer choices because nursing homes can limit the number of publicly-funded enrollees. Study the accepted payment plans and methods before moving into a facility.

Sources of private funds could be savings or money from cashing out IRAs and other investments. People borrow from life insurance policies, sell their homes, and get reverse mortgages.

Pro Tip:

Are you trying to manage your finances to afford nursing care? Read our guide to finances for seniors for tips and expert advice on making the most of your money.

Annuity (Savings)

When planning long-term care, individuals with savings can buy an annuity. The underwriter receives a lump sum of cash and then issues regular monthly payments to the individual after retirement. The individual can use these payments for nursing homes, a car payment, and more.

The main advantage of having an annuity is financial discipline. The annuity forces savings to be stretched out over time. Regular payments are guaranteed. Additionally, savings put into an annuity are shielded from consideration on applications for government aid. Plus, a person who lives a long life could draw more from the account than they put into it.

The primary disadvantage of annuities is the value lost from commissions and annual charges. Also, penalties are charged if funds are withdrawn early.

Savings put into an annuity are shielded from consideration on applications for government aid.
A person who lives a long life could draw more from the account than they put into it.

The main disadvantage of annuities is that value is lost in commissions and annual charges. Also, penalties are charged if funds are withdrawn early.

Life Insurance

A whole life insurance policy (but not a term life insurance policy) can be tapped for long-term care payments. However, this, of course, reduces the financial benefit for heirs. Three approaches are:

Surrendering a policy
Selling a policy
Converting life insurance to “life assurance”

First, a whole life insurance policy can be surrendered to the provider. That means the agency purchases the policy back from the policyholder. However, they'll usually pay 50 to 75 percent of the face value.

Pro Tip:

If you’re looking for affordable life insurance plans, check out our guide for the best cheap life insurance in 2025.

Similar terms are offered for the second approach: selling the policy to a “life settlements” company. Again, the typical offer is about 50 to 75 percent of the policy's value. The life settlements company pays the policy's premiums until the policyholder passes. The company then receives the financial payout.

Life insurance conversion to “life assurance” is a third option designed to cover long-term senior care. Like life insurance for seniors, life assurance includes a savings guarantee (plus an investment portfolio). Life insurance conversion accounts could offer less for senior care, but preserve a death benefit (inheritance). Meeting with a financial advisor could help you decide if life insurance is the right option for you.

Long-Term Care Insurance

Buying long-term care insurance can be smart when someone plans to pay for senior care. It offers more freedom of choice than using Medicare and other public programs for nursing home payments.

People buy policies that pay anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 per month. Inflation protection can be included with monthly premium payments to guard against dramatic market changes.

Long-term care insurance policies vary in when they’ll pay benefits. Generally, to receive payments for nursing home care or assisted living, a person must require assistance in at least two activities of daily living. A doctor’s statement documenting this need is necessary as part of the claim.

Renting Out a Property

When a senior leaves their old home after moving to a nursing home, renting it out with careful management could be a valuable income source. Turning a home into a rental might become a permanent source of income for the family or a temporary source of income until they sell the house.

Ideally, rental arrangements should be made when the homeowner is still a competent decision-maker. For a loved one to take over, that person will need legal guardianship or power of attorney over the homeowner.

Bridge Loan

Bridge loans can cover people's living expenses as they await a property sale, pension payout, or another virtually guaranteed source of income. A bridge loan is a short-term loan, but the first payment isn't due until 90 days after signing. Typical loan lengths vary from three months to two years.

Reverse Mortgage Loan

While a bridge loan can help during a pending home sale, a reverse mortgage loan helps keep the home until the second spouse moves out or passes away. The loaned money can help cover nursing home care.

The advantage of using a reverse mortgage loan for nursing home payments is that it covers two housing costs simultaneously. Loan payments become due when the second person no longer lives in the home. Heirs often opt to sell the property rather than make payments.

FYI:

One of the best ways to manage your budget is to use an app. Check out these best budgeting apps for seniors.

How Can I Find Nursing Homes Near Me?

Finding the right nursing home near you in the U.S. is a multi‑step process. Use the checklist below to build a high‑quality shortlist, compare quality and costs, and schedule tours confidently.

1) Start with trusted search tools (by ZIP)

Medicare Care Compare (Nursing Homes): Enter your ZIP, set a radius, then filter by Overall Star Rating, Health Inspections, Staffing, and Quality Measures.
State resources: Your State Long‑Term Care Ombudsman and Department of Health sites often list recent inspection reports, deficiencies, and complaint outcomes.
Area Agency on Aging (AAA): Call for local wait‑lists, transition support, and care‑management referrals.
Hospital discharge planners / primary care: Ask for medically appropriate referrals (e.g., facilities with strong short‑term rehab, memory care, ventilator capability).

2) Match services to actual needs

Level of care: Short‑term rehab (SNF), long‑term custodial care, memory care, ventilator/palliative specialties.
Location priorities: Proximity to family, hospital, dialysis center, or preferred specialists.
Cultural fit: Language access, religious services, diet (e.g., kosher, halal), activities, visiting hours.
Payment fit: Confirm acceptance of Medicare (post‑acute only), Medicaid, long‑term care insurance, and private‑pay rates.

3) Read quality signals beyond the stars

Inspection history: Trend of deficiencies and severity over 3 years; look for corrected plans of action.
Staffing depth: RN/LPN/CNA hours per resident per day, weekend staffing, and therapy coverage.
Clinical outcomes: Hospital readmissions, ER visits, pressure‑injury and UTI prevention data.
Ownership & stability: Nonprofit vs. for‑profit, recent ownership changes, citations, or special‑focus status.

4) Call ahead and verify availability

Ask about current bed openings, payer acceptance (e.g., Medicaid pending), typical admission timeline, and whether a physician order or 3‑day hospital stay is required for short‑term rehab.
Request a sample admission agreement, resident handbook, and any à‑la‑carte fees (transport, cable/Wi‑Fi, therapy minutes, supplies).

5) Tour 2–4 top options (in person or virtual)

Tour checklist:

Cleanliness and odor; bathrooms and common areas well maintained.
Staff interactions: Residents addressed by name; call‑light response times; visible charge nurse.
Care planning: Timeline for initial assessment and interdisciplinary care‑plan meeting.
Therapy access: PT/OT/ST schedules, weekend hours, equipment.
Dining: Menu variety, hydration, modified diets, mealtime assistance.
Safety: Fall‑prevention protocols; wander management for memory care.
Activities & community: Daily calendars, outdoor time, family involvement.
Communication: Primary contact for families; frequency of care‑plan updates.

6) Ask these questions on the spot

What is your RN coverage on nights and weekends?
Average call‑light wait time last month? How is it tracked?
How do you handle behavioral symptoms in dementia without restraints?
What’s your staff turnover rate for CNAs and nurses?
How are pressure injuries and UTIs prevented and monitored?
Can I see your most recent survey results and corrective actions?

7) Watch for red flags

Chronic odors, frequent unanswered call bells, residents unattended.
Heavy PRN antipsychotic use without clear clinical justification.
Vague or defensive answers about inspections, staffing, or incidents.
Refusal to share the admission packet or itemized fees before deposit.

8) Compare contracts before you sign

Clarify what’s included vs. billable add‑ons.
Understand bed‑hold policies, discharge/appeal rights, grievance process.
Ask about Medicaid conversion timelines if you expect to transition from private‑pay.

","type":"normal","status":"published","published_at":"2025-10-19T07:00:00.000000Z","rac":"Nursing Home Costs in 2025 by State and Type of Care","keyword_set":null,"feature_media":"https://iwstats.info/media/posts/01K7X9VXC3VZCZMD5N20N5RAYD.png","style":null,"channel":null,"campaign_id":null,"account_id":null,"ggid":null,"fbid":null,"traffic_type":null,"created_at":"2026-04-29T07:07:46.000000Z","updated_at":"2026-04-30T06:59:10.000000Z"}

Table of Contents

How Much Do Nursing Homes Cost? Median Costs in 2025

Nursing Home Costs By State

Most and Least Expensive States for Nursing Home Costs

Semiprivate Room: 10 Most Expensive States

Semiprivate Room: 10 Least Expensive States

Private Room: 10 Most Expensive States

Private Room: 10 Least Expensive States

What Is a Nursing Home?

Cost of Nursing Homes vs. Assisted Living

Cost of Nursing Homes vs. In-Home Care

Are Nursing Home Costs Tax-Deductible?

How to Pay for Nursing Home Costs

Payment options

Medicare Coverage for Nursing Home Costs

Medicaid Coverage for Nursing Home Care

Veterans' Benefits for Skilled Nursing Care

Private Pay

Annuity (Savings)

Life Insurance

Long-Term Care Insurance

Renting Out a Property

Bridge Loan

Reverse Mortgage Loan

How Can I Find Nursing Homes Near Me?

1) Start with trusted search tools (by ZIP)

2) Match services to actual needs

3) Read quality signals beyond the stars

4) Call ahead and verify availability

5) Tour 2–4 top options (in person or virtual)

6) Ask these questions on the spot

7) Watch for red flags

8) Compare contracts before you sign