Complete 2026 cost guide with 7 care types and 5-year projections
| Care Type | Indiana | National Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Day Care | $75/day | $82/day | 8% below |
| Home Health Aide | $26/hr | $27/hr | 4% below |
| Independent Living | $2,787/mo | $2,986/mo | 7% below |
| Assisted Living | $4,283/mo | $4,591/mo | 7% below |
| Memory Care | $5,353/mo | $5,739/mo | 7% below |
| Nursing Home (Semi-Private) | $8,741/mo | $11,040/mo | 21% below |
| Nursing Home (Private) | $10,668/mo | $12,235/mo | 13% below |
Source: Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2024, adjusted to 2026. Adult Day = per weekday. Home Aide = per hour (avg 40 hrs/wk = $4,503/mo).
Senior care costs have historically increased 3–5% per year. The table below projects costs at 3% annual inflation.
| Year | Assisted Living | Memory Care | Nursing (Semi) | Home Aide (mo) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $4,283 | $5,353 | $8,741 | $4,503 |
| 2027 | $4,411 | $5,513 | $9,003 | $4,638 |
| 2028 | $4,543 | $5,678 | $9,273 | $4,777 |
| 2029 | $4,680 | $5,849 | $9,551 | $4,920 |
| 2030 | $4,820 | $6,024 | $9,838 | $5,068 |
| 2031 | $4,965 | $6,205 | $10,133 | $5,220 |
Projected at 3% annual inflation. Home Aide monthly assumes 40 hours/week. Actual costs may vary.
Indiana's Medicaid program for home and community-based services is Aged & Disabled Waiver. This program can help cover assisted living and in-home care costs for eligible residents. To qualify, individuals generally must have income below $2,829/month and countable assets below $2,000.
Eligibility rules change frequently. Visit your state Medicaid office or benefits.gov for current requirements.
Our detailed guide covers 8 ways to pay for assisted living.
Read the Full GuideIf you are researching senior care options in Indiana for a parent or loved one, you will find that costs here are below the national average. Assisted living in Indiana averages around $4,283 per month, which is roughly 7 percent below the national average. Memory care runs about $5,353 per month, while nursing home care averages $8,741 for a semi-private room. Home health aides typically charge around $26 per hour. These figures may offer some comfort, but understanding why Indiana's costs sit where they do can help you plan more effectively for the years ahead.
Indiana's overall cost of living is below the national average. Indiana has consistently ranked as one of the more affordable Midwestern states, with housing costs and general expenses running well below the national median. These economic fundamentals directly influence what care providers charge, as facility operating costs, from real estate to food service to utilities, are shaped by the same forces that affect household budgets.
The labor market plays a significant role in shaping care costs. Indiana's healthcare labor market offers moderate wages that help keep care costs below the national average. CNAs and home health aides typically earn between $13 and $16 per hour. The state's manufacturing sector provides competing employment options, which can create staffing challenges for care facilities.
Indiana's regulatory environment for senior care is moderate. The State Department of Health licenses facilities with reasonable staffing requirements that balance quality oversight with cost considerations. The state has invested in expanding home and community-based services options, which has helped create more choices for families.
The 65-and-older population in Indiana represents about 17 percent of the state's total residents. Indiana's senior population is distributed fairly evenly between metropolitan and rural areas, though the Indianapolis region has the most robust selection of providers and typically the most competitive pricing. Understanding these demographic patterns can help families anticipate how the local care market may evolve in the coming years, including potential changes in availability and pricing.
When compared to neighboring states, Michigan and Kentucky offer lower assisted living costs while Ohio and Illinois run higher. For families weighing whether to explore care options across state lines, these regional differences are worth considering, particularly for those anticipating a longer care journey that could stretch over several years.
See how Indiana's senior care costs compare to nearby states.
Use our interactive calculator to compare all 7 care types, adjust for care intensity, and project costs over time.
Open the CalculatorData 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.