Assisted Living Costs by State (2026)

Compare assisted living costs across all 50 states and DC

Browse by Care Type

National Average: $4,591/mo

Assisted living provides 24/7 support with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication management in a residential community. Costs vary dramatically by state — from under $3,000/mo to nearly $7,000/mo.

Cheapest State Missouri: $3,000/mo
Most Expensive District of Columbia: $6,978/mo
Cost Range $3,978/mo

Cheapest & Most Expensive States for Assisted Living

5 Most Affordable

1. Missouri $3,000/mo
2. South Dakota $3,350/mo
3. North Dakota $3,391/mo
4. Kentucky $3,448/mo
5. Mississippi $3,500/mo

5 Most Expensive

2. Alaska $6,830/mo
3. Rhode Island $6,826/mo
4. Massachusetts $6,500/mo
5. New Jersey $6,495/mo

Assisted Living Costs in All 50 States + DC

# State Monthly Cost vs. National Avg Annual Cost
1 Missouri $3,000/mo 35% below $36,000/yr
2 South Dakota $3,350/mo 27% below $40,200/yr
3 North Dakota $3,391/mo 26% below $40,692/yr
4 Kentucky $3,448/mo 25% below $41,376/yr
5 Mississippi $3,500/mo 24% below $42,000/yr
6 Utah $3,500/mo 24% below $42,000/yr
7 Alabama $3,503/mo 24% below $42,036/yr
8 Georgia $3,535/mo 23% below $42,420/yr
9 South Carolina $3,612/mo 21% below $43,344/yr
10 Louisiana $3,748/mo 18% below $44,976/yr
11 Nevada $3,750/mo 18% below $45,000/yr
12 Arkansas $3,760/mo 18% below $45,120/yr
13 Idaho $3,838/mo 16% below $46,056/yr
14 Oklahoma $3,855/mo 16% below $46,260/yr
15 Texas $3,998/mo 13% below $47,976/yr
16 Arizona $4,000/mo 13% below $48,000/yr
17 Florida $4,000/mo 13% below $48,000/yr
18 North Carolina $4,010/mo 13% below $48,120/yr
19 Nebraska $4,076/mo 11% below $48,912/yr
20 Pennsylvania $4,100/mo 11% below $49,200/yr
21 Tennessee $4,105/mo 11% below $49,260/yr
22 West Virginia $4,160/mo 9% below $49,920/yr
23 Wyoming $4,169/mo 9% below $50,028/yr
24 Michigan $4,250/mo 7% below $51,000/yr
25 Indiana $4,283/mo 7% below $51,396/yr
26 Iowa $4,367/mo 5% below $52,404/yr
27 Montana $4,450/mo 3% below $53,400/yr
28 Illinois $4,488/mo 2% below $53,856/yr
29 New Mexico $4,498/mo 2% below $53,976/yr
30 Minnesota $4,508/mo 2% below $54,096/yr
31 Kansas $4,580/mo 0% below $54,960/yr
32 New York $4,580/mo 0% below $54,960/yr
33 Wisconsin $4,600/mo 0% above $55,200/yr
34 Ohio $4,635/mo 1% above $55,620/yr
35 Colorado $4,750/mo 4% above $57,000/yr
36 Maryland $4,900/mo 7% above $58,800/yr
37 Oregon $5,045/mo 10% above $60,540/yr
38 Connecticut $5,129/mo 12% above $61,548/yr
39 California $5,250/mo 14% above $63,000/yr
40 Vermont $5,250/mo 14% above $63,000/yr
41 Virginia $5,250/mo 14% above $63,000/yr
42 Hawaii $5,375/mo 17% above $64,500/yr
43 Maine $5,865/mo 28% above $70,380/yr
44 Delaware $5,995/mo 31% above $71,940/yr
45 Washington $6,000/mo 31% above $72,000/yr
46 New Hampshire $6,053/mo 32% above $72,636/yr
47 New Jersey $6,495/mo 42% above $77,940/yr
48 Massachusetts $6,500/mo 42% above $78,000/yr
49 Rhode Island $6,826/mo 49% above $81,912/yr
50 Alaska $6,830/mo 49% above $81,960/yr
51 District of Columbia $6,978/mo 52% above $83,736/yr

Ranked cheapest to most expensive. Source: Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2024, adjusted to 2026.

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living facilities provide housing, meals, and personal care services for seniors who need help with activities of daily living (ADLs) but don't require the intensive medical care of a nursing home. Residents typically have their own apartment or room and receive assistance with bathing, dressing, medication management, and meals.

Most assisted living communities also offer social activities, transportation, housekeeping, and 24-hour staff availability. The level of care can often be adjusted as needs change, making it a flexible option for many seniors.

Cost factors include location, room size (private vs. shared), level of care needed, and community amenities. Many states offer Medicaid waivers that can help cover assisted living costs for eligible residents.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does assisted living cost per month in 2026?
The national average cost of assisted living in 2026 is $4,591 per month ($55,092 per year). However, costs vary significantly by state — from about $3,000/mo in the most affordable states to nearly $7,000/mo in the most expensive.
What is included in assisted living costs?
Assisted living typically includes a private or semi-private room, meals, housekeeping, laundry, 24-hour staff, help with daily activities (bathing, dressing, medication management), social activities, and transportation. Some communities charge extra for higher levels of care.
Does Medicare cover assisted living?
No, Medicare does not cover assisted living costs. However, many states offer Medicaid waiver programs that can help pay for assisted living for eligible low-income seniors. Other payment options include long-term care insurance, VA benefits, and private savings.
What is the cheapest state for assisted living?
Missouri is typically the most affordable state for assisted living, with median costs around $3,000 per month — about 35% below the national average. Other affordable states include Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Alabama.
How is assisted living different from a nursing home?
Assisted living provides help with daily activities in a residential setting, while nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses. Nursing homes cost roughly 2-3x more than assisted living and are appropriate for seniors with complex medical needs.

Compare Assisted Living Costs

Use our interactive calculator to compare all 7 care types and project costs over time.

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More Resources

Data sources: Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2024 (adjusted to 2026), World Population Review 2026, CareScout 2024, state Medicaid agency publications. Costs represent state medians — individual facility prices will vary. Last updated March 2026.