Assisted Living Cost Calculator

The single biggest factor in assisted living costs is location. A facility in a rural part of the Midwest may cost half as much as a comparable one in the Northeast. While the national median monthly cost for a private, one-bedroom unit in an assisted living facility is projected to be approximately $4,807 in 2026, the range is vast.

This table highlights the significant variation across the country, showing projected 2026 median monthly costs.

Source: Projections based on Genworth Cost of Care Survey data, adjusted for inflation.

These figures typically cover the "base rate," which includes room and board, meals, utilities, basic housekeeping, and access to social activities. However, the final bill is often higher once specific care needs are added.

Your monthly bill is not just the room; it's the care. Nearly all facilities structure their pricing around levels of care, which correspond to how much assistance a resident needs with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, medication management, and mobility. Understanding these tiers is crucial for accurate budgeting.

1. Basic Care / Independent Living Support: This is the entry-level tier, often with a low or no additional care surcharge. It's for residents who are largely independent but want the security, meals, and social engagement of a community. They might need occasional reminders or minimal help. The cost is primarily the base rent.

2. Enhanced Care / Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Support: This is the most common tier. Residents need regular, hands-on assistance with several ADLs. This could include help getting dressed, bathing, or consistent medication management. This level typically adds a significant surcharge to the base rate.

   • Typical Monthly Surcharge: $800 - $1,500

3. Memory Care / High-Level Needs: This is the most intensive and expensive level of care within an assisted living setting. It's provided in a secure unit for residents with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. Staff are specially trained, the staff-to-resident ratio is higher, and specialized programming is offered.

   • Typical Monthly Surcharge: $2,000 - $3,500+

When you use the calculator, selecting the right care level is essential. A plan that looks affordable at the "Basic Care" level might become unsustainable if a resident's needs progress to "Memory Care." It's wise to stress-test your plan against the possibility of needing a higher level of care in the future, as this is one of the biggest expenses in retirement.

Few retirees can cover a $60,000+ annual bill from income alone. Most rely on a combination of sources to fund their stay. Building a viable plan means understanding how each piece of the puzzle fits together.

• Personal Savings & Investments: This is the primary funding source for most families. It includes funds from 401(k)s, IRAs, brokerage accounts, and other savings. It's critical to know how long your money will last when drawn down at this rate. Withdrawals from traditional IRAs and 401(k)s are taxable, which must be factored into the total amount needed.
• Social Security and Pension Income: These monthly income streams form the foundation of the payment plan, covering a portion of the costs and reducing the amount that must be withdrawn from savings.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: For those who planned ahead, a long-term care insurance policy can be the most effective way to cover costs. These policies provide a daily or monthly benefit amount (e.g., $150/day or $4,500/month) for a set number of years once you qualify for care.
• Sale of a Home: The proceeds from selling a family home are often used to create a dedicated fund for long-term care. This can fund several years of assisted living but requires careful financial management.
• Veterans' Benefits: The VA Aid and Attendance benefit can provide a significant monthly stipend to eligible veterans and surviving spouses to help cover the costs of care. This benefit is means-tested and requires a specific level of need for ADL assistance.
• Medicaid: Medicaid is the payer of last resort for those who have exhausted their financial resources. To qualify, an individual must meet strict income and asset limits, which vary by state. This often requires a "spend-down" of assets. Planning for Medicaid is complex and should be done with an elder law attorney. See our Medicaid spend-down calculator for more information.

A successful strategy often involves sequencing these sources, for example, using income and savings first, then activating an LTC insurance policy, and holding home equity in reserve.

Assisted living is just one point on the long-term care spectrum. Choosing the right setting depends on the level of care needed, budget, and personal preference. This calculator helps compare the costs of the three most common options for seniors needing daily support.

For many, assisted living strikes a balance between the independence of in-home care and the intensive medical support of a nursing home, often at a more manageable price point than full-time home health aides or a nursing facility.

The calculator projects your costs and funding year by year. It uses a series of formulas to estimate your monthly expenses, project your savings growth, and determine how long your funds will last. Here are the core calculations.

First, it determines your total monthly cost by combining the base rate with any surcharges and additional services.

Monthly Total Cost = Monthly Base Rate + Care Level Surcharge + Monthly Services Total

Where:

• Monthly Base Rate = The standard rent for the unit at the facility.
• Care Level Surcharge = An additional monthly fee based on the level of care needed (e.g., Basic, Enhanced, or Memory Care).
• Monthly Services Total = The sum of any a la carte services like medication management, therapy, or transportation.

Next, it projects how much your savings will be worth at your planned move-in age, assuming they grow at your specified investment return rate.

Projected Savings at Move-In = Current Savings × (1 + Investment Return Rate) ^ Years Until Move-In

Where:

• Current Savings = The amount you have saved for long-term care today.
• Investment Return Rate = The estimated annual growth of your savings.
• Years Until Move-In = The number of years between your current age and planned move-in age.

Finally, for each year you are in care, it calculates how your savings are drawn down to cover the funding gap.

Ending Savings Balance = (Starting Savings × (1 + Investment Return Rate)) - Annual Funding Gap

Where:

• Starting Savings = Your savings balance at the beginning of the year.
• Annual Funding Gap = The difference between your inflation-adjusted annual care cost and your total annual income from sources like Social Security and pensions.

This annual calculation is repeated until the expected years in care are complete or the savings balance reaches zero.

What is the difference between assisted living and a nursing home?

Assisted living facilities are designed for seniors who need help with daily activities (like bathing, dressing, meals) but do not need 24/7 skilled medical care. They offer a residential, home-like setting. A nursing home provides a higher level of medical care for individuals with complex health conditions who require a licensed nurse to be available at all times.

Does Medicare or regular health insurance pay for assisted living?

No. Medicare does not cover the cost of room and board in an assisted living facility. It may cover specific medical services received while living there, such as doctor visits or physical therapy, but it does not pay for the custodial care that makes up the bulk of the cost. A retirement healthcare cost calculator can help you budget for other medical needs.

Is it cheaper to have a caregiver at home than to move to assisted living?

It depends on the number of hours of care needed. If a senior only needs a few hours of help per day, in-home care is usually cheaper. However, once the need for care reaches 6-8 hours a day or more, the cost of one-on-one home care can quickly exceed the all-inclusive cost of an assisted living facility. Use the home health care cost calculator to compare.

Are assisted living expenses tax-deductible?

Potentially, yes. If a resident is certified by a healthcare provider as being chronically ill and the care is prescribed, the costs of care (but not room and board) can qualify as a medical expense. You can deduct total medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). This can also apply to withdrawals from an IRA used to pay for care.

How long does the average person stay in assisted living?

The average length of stay in an assisted living community is about 2.5 to 3 years. However, this is just an average; many residents live happily in a facility for 5-10 years or more. This calculator allows you to model different lengths of stay to see the financial impact.

What are the biggest hidden costs in assisted living?

The most common "hidden" costs are annual rate increases (typically 3-6% per year), fees for higher levels of care as a resident's needs change, and a la carte charges for services like transportation, medication management, or incontinence supplies that aren't included in the base rate.

What happens if I run out of money in assisted living?

If you run out of funds, the most common outcome is applying for Medicaid, provided the facility is certified to accept it. This requires meeting strict state-specific asset and income limits. Some facilities may require you to move out if they do not accept Medicaid. This is why accurately projecting your retirement needs is so important.

With a clearer picture of potential costs, you can take proactive steps. Run several scenarios in the calculator to see how different assumptions impact your plan.

Next, explore related tools to refine your strategy. Use the how long will my money last calculator to stress-test your savings, or use the main long-term care cost calculator to compare costs for different types of care across all 50 states. Finally, review your overall retirement income to see how these costs fit into your broader financial life.

Last updated: July 2026