National Cost Overview
Long-term care costs vary significantly across the United States. Understanding these costs is essential for planning adequate insurance coverage. Here are the current national monthly averages:
📈 Cost Projection Warning
These are today's costs. With historical increases of 3-5% annually, someone who is 55 today could face costs 2-3x higher by the time they need care. This is why inflation protection in your LTC policy is so critical.
Find Costs in Your State
Use the tool below to see specific costs for your state. Costs can vary by more than 2x between the lowest and highest cost states.
Find Costs in Your State
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Select a state above to see detailed cost information
All States Comparison
Alabama
SouthAlaska
WestArizona
WestArkansas
SouthCalifornia
WestColorado
WestConnecticut
NortheastDelaware
NortheastFlorida
SouthGeorgia
SouthHawaii
WestIdaho
WestIllinois
MidwestIndiana
MidwestIowa
MidwestKansas
MidwestKentucky
SouthLouisiana
SouthMaine
NortheastMaryland
NortheastMassachusetts
NortheastMichigan
MidwestMinnesota
MidwestMississippi
SouthMissouri
MidwestMontana
WestNebraska
MidwestNevada
WestNew Hampshire
NortheastNew Jersey
NortheastNew Mexico
WestNew York
NortheastNorth Carolina
SouthNorth Dakota
MidwestOhio
MidwestOklahoma
SouthOregon
WestPennsylvania
NortheastRhode Island
NortheastSouth Carolina
SouthSouth Dakota
MidwestTennessee
SouthTexas
SouthUtah
WestVermont
NortheastVirginia
SouthWashington
WestWest Virginia
SouthWisconsin
MidwestWyoming
West| State ↑ | Region | Nursing Home | Assisted Living | Home Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | South | $7,756 | $3,750 | $4,576 |
| Alaska | West | $12,927 | $6,750 | $6,864 |
| Arizona | West | $8,517 | $4,500 | $5,720 |
| Arkansas | South | $6,692 | $3,795 | $4,576 |
| California | West | $11,628 | $5,750 | $6,864 |
| Colorado | West | $9,429 | $5,000 | $6,292 |
| Connecticut | Northeast | $14,643 | $6,000 | $5,720 |
| Delaware | Northeast | $11,498 | $5,895 | $5,434 |
| Florida | South | $9,429 | $4,500 | $5,148 |
| Georgia | South | $7,604 | $3,900 | $4,576 |
| Hawaii | West | $14,643 | $5,250 | $6,292 |
| Idaho | West | $9,125 | $4,250 | $5,720 |
| Illinois | Midwest | $7,148 | $4,800 | $5,434 |
| Indiana | Midwest | $7,909 | $4,500 | $5,148 |
| Iowa | Midwest | $7,148 | $4,250 | $5,434 |
| Kansas | Midwest | $6,844 | $4,850 | $5,434 |
| Kentucky | South | $8,365 | $3,900 | $4,576 |
| Louisiana | South | $5,780 | $3,500 | $4,004 |
| Maine | Northeast | $10,798 | $6,500 | $5,720 |
| Maryland | Northeast | $11,194 | $5,175 | $5,148 |
| Massachusetts | Northeast | $14,339 | $6,750 | $6,006 |
| Michigan | Midwest | $9,733 | $4,600 | $5,434 |
| Minnesota | Midwest | $10,341 | $4,750 | $6,292 |
| Mississippi | South | $7,909 | $3,750 | $4,004 |
| Missouri | Midwest | $5,780 | $3,500 | $4,862 |
| Montana | West | $8,061 | $4,450 | $5,720 |
| Nebraska | Midwest | $8,213 | $4,600 | $5,720 |
| Nevada | West | $8,821 | $4,000 | $5,720 |
| New Hampshire | Northeast | $11,802 | $5,750 | $5,720 |
| New Jersey | Northeast | $12,167 | $6,650 | $5,434 |
| New Mexico | West | $8,821 | $4,250 | $5,148 |
| New York | Northeast | $13,883 | $5,250 | $5,720 |
| North Carolina | South | $8,213 | $4,350 | $4,576 |
| North Dakota | Midwest | $10,341 | $4,150 | $6,292 |
| Ohio | Midwest | $8,061 | $4,750 | $5,148 |
| Oklahoma | South | $6,388 | $3,750 | $4,862 |
| Oregon | West | $10,493 | $5,400 | $6,292 |
| Pennsylvania | Northeast | $10,950 | $4,700 | $5,148 |
| Rhode Island | Northeast | $9,733 | $5,700 | $5,720 |
| South Carolina | South | $7,756 | $4,000 | $4,576 |
| South Dakota | Midwest | $8,061 | $4,000 | $5,720 |
| Tennessee | South | $7,604 | $4,250 | $4,576 |
| Texas | South | $6,084 | $4,395 | $4,862 |
| Utah | West | $7,604 | $3,850 | $5,434 |
| Vermont | Northeast | $10,798 | $5,550 | $5,720 |
| Virginia | South | $8,669 | $5,000 | $4,862 |
| Washington | West | $10,950 | $6,000 | $6,578 |
| West Virginia | South | $10,798 | $4,250 | $4,576 |
| Wisconsin | Midwest | $9,429 | $4,950 | $5,720 |
| Wyoming | West | $8,821 | $4,500 | $5,720 |
* All costs shown as monthly averages. Source: Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2024.
Understanding Types of Care
Not all long-term care is the same. Costs and services vary significantly by care type. Most people prefer to receive care at home as long as possible, then transition to facility-based care if needed.
Home Health Care
$5,434/month avg.
Professional caregivers come to your home to provide assistance with daily activities. Most preferred option for maintaining independence.
- ✓Personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming)
- ✓Homemaker services (cooking, cleaning, laundry)
- ✓Companionship and supervision
- ✓Medication reminders
- ✓Maintains independence and familiar environment
Assisted Living Facility
$4,774/month avg.
Residential communities offering housing, meals, and personal care services for those who need help with daily activities but not 24-hour nursing care.
- ✓Private or semi-private apartment/room
- ✓Meals and housekeeping included
- ✓Personal care assistance available
- ✓Social activities and transportation
- ✓Medication management
- ✓24-hour staff (but not medical)
Nursing Home (Skilled Nursing)
$9,125/month avg.
Facilities providing 24-hour medical care and supervision for those with significant health needs. Highest level of care outside a hospital.
- ✓24-hour skilled nursing care
- ✓Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- ✓Wound care and medical monitoring
- ✓Memory care units for dementia
- ✓All meals and personal care
- ✓Most expensive but most comprehensive
Cost Trends & Future Projections
Long-term care costs have historically risen faster than general inflation. Understanding these trends is crucial for planning adequate coverage.
Historical Increases
- • Nursing homes: ~3.5% annual increase
- • Assisted living: ~3.2% annual increase
- • Home care: ~2.8% annual increase
- • General inflation: ~2.5% annual average
20-Year Projection
- • Today's $9,125 nursing home → ~$16,500
- • Today's $4,774 assisted living → ~$8,600
- • Today's $5,434 home care → ~$9,400
- • At 3% annual increase
Why This Matters for Insurance
If you're 55 today and don't need care until 75, costs could double or triple. An LTC policy with 3% compound inflation protection helps your benefits keep pace with rising costs—without it, your coverage could be inadequate when you need it.
Using Cost Data for Coverage Planning
Here's how to use this cost information to determine how much LTC insurance you need:
Find Your State's Costs
Use the lookup tool above to see current costs in your state. Consider both where you live now and where you might retire.
Choose Your Coverage Level
Decide if you want to cover 50%, 75%, or 100% of projected costs. Many people plan to cover a portion with savings and the rest with insurance.
Set Your Benefit Period
The average care need is 3 years, but consider family history and personal health. Benefit periods of 3-5 years cover most scenarios.
Add Inflation Protection
A 3-5% compound inflation rider ensures your benefits grow to match rising costs. This is especially important if you're buying coverage in your 50s.
Example Calculation
For someone in Georgia (nursing home: $7,604/month):
- • Daily benefit needed: ~$250/day
- • Benefit period: 3 years
- • Total pool of money: ~$274,000
- • With 3% inflation (20 years): ~$494,000 pool
This is just an example. Your specific needs depend on many factors—our advisors can help you determine the right coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
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