Home Health Aide Costs by State (2026)

Compare home health aide hourly rates across all 50 states and DC

Home › Home Health Aide Costs by State

Browse by Care Type

Assisted Living Memory Care Nursing Home Home Health Aide Adult Day Care Independent Living
National Average: $27/hr

Home health aides provide personal care and assistance in the comfort of your own home. Hourly rates range from under $20/hr to over $35/hr depending on location — making geography one of the biggest cost factors.

Cheapest State Mississippi: $20/hr
Most Expensive Alaska: $40/hr
Cost Range $20/hr

Cheapest & Most Expensive States for Home Health Aide

5 Most Affordable

1. Mississippi $20/hr
2. Missouri $21/hr
3. Alabama $22/hr
4. Arkansas $22/hr
5. Louisiana $22/hr

5 Most Expensive

1. Alaska $40/hr
2. California $36/hr
3. Hawaii $35/hr
4. District of Columbia $35/hr
5. Washington $33/hr

Home Health Aide Costs in All 50 States + DC

# State Hourly Rate Monthly Est. vs. National Avg
1 Mississippi $20/hr $3,464/mo 26% below
2 Missouri $21/hr $3,637/mo 22% below
3 Alabama $22/hr $3,810/mo 18% below
4 Arkansas $22/hr $3,810/mo 18% below
5 Louisiana $22/hr $3,810/mo 18% below
6 Georgia $23/hr $3,983/mo 15% below
7 Kentucky $23/hr $3,983/mo 15% below
8 Oklahoma $23/hr $3,983/mo 15% below
9 South Carolina $23/hr $3,983/mo 15% below
10 West Virginia $23/hr $3,983/mo 15% below
11 North Carolina $24/hr $4,156/mo 11% below
12 Tennessee $24/hr $4,156/mo 11% below
13 Ohio $25/hr $4,330/mo 7% below
14 South Dakota $25/hr $4,330/mo 7% below
15 Texas $25/hr $4,330/mo 7% below
16 Florida $26/hr $4,503/mo 4% below
17 Indiana $26/hr $4,503/mo 4% below
18 Iowa $26/hr $4,503/mo 4% below
19 Kansas $26/hr $4,503/mo 4% below
20 New Mexico $26/hr $4,503/mo 4% below
21 Utah $26/hr $4,503/mo 4% below
22 Arizona $27/hr $4,676/mo at average
23 Idaho $27/hr $4,676/mo at average
24 Illinois $27/hr $4,676/mo at average
25 Michigan $27/hr $4,676/mo at average
26 Nebraska $27/hr $4,676/mo at average
27 Nevada $27/hr $4,676/mo at average
28 North Dakota $27/hr $4,676/mo at average
29 Pennsylvania $27/hr $4,676/mo at average
30 Virginia $27/hr $4,676/mo at average
31 Wisconsin $27/hr $4,676/mo at average
32 Delaware $28/hr $4,849/mo 4% above
33 Maryland $28/hr $4,849/mo 4% above
34 Montana $28/hr $4,849/mo 4% above
35 Wyoming $28/hr $4,849/mo 4% above
36 Minnesota $29/hr $5,022/mo 7% above
37 Connecticut $30/hr $5,196/mo 11% above
38 Maine $30/hr $5,196/mo 11% above
39 New Hampshire $30/hr $5,196/mo 11% above
40 New York $30/hr $5,196/mo 11% above
41 Vermont $30/hr $5,196/mo 11% above
42 Colorado $31/hr $5,369/mo 15% above
43 New Jersey $31/hr $5,369/mo 15% above
44 Oregon $31/hr $5,369/mo 15% above
45 Massachusetts $33/hr $5,715/mo 22% above
46 Rhode Island $33/hr $5,715/mo 22% above
47 Washington $33/hr $5,715/mo 22% above
48 District of Columbia $35/hr $6,062/mo 30% above
49 Hawaii $35/hr $6,062/mo 30% above
50 California $36/hr $6,235/mo 33% above
51 Alaska $40/hr $6,928/mo 48% above

Ranked cheapest to most expensive. Source: Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2024, adjusted to 2026. Home Aide = per hour, monthly estimate assumes 40 hrs/week.

What Is Home Health Aide?

Home health aides (HHAs) provide in-home assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and companionship. They allow seniors to age in place while receiving the support they need.

Home health aides are different from home health nurses — aides provide personal care and support services, while nurses provide medical care like wound treatment, injections, and health monitoring. Many families use a combination of both.

The cost of a home health aide depends on location, hours needed, and whether you hire through an agency or independently. Agency rates are typically higher but include background checks, training, insurance, and backup staff. Most families use 20-40 hours per week, though 24/7 care is available at significantly higher cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a home health aide cost per hour in 2026?
The national average cost of a home health aide in 2026 is $27 per hour. At 40 hours per week, that works out to approximately $4,676 per month or $56,112 per year. Rates vary from under $20/hr to over $35/hr depending on the state.
Does Medicare cover home health aide services?
Medicare covers home health aide services only when combined with skilled nursing or therapy services ordered by a doctor. The aide must be employed by a Medicare-certified home health agency. Medicare does not cover custodial or personal care aide services on their own.
What is the difference between a home health aide and a home health nurse?
Home health aides provide personal care (bathing, dressing, meals, companionship) and are typically certified nursing assistants. Home health nurses are licensed professionals who provide medical services like wound care, IV therapy, and medication management. Nurses cost significantly more per hour.
How many hours per week of home care do most people need?
Most families start with 10-20 hours per week for light assistance, increasing to 40+ hours as needs grow. Full-time (40 hrs/week) is the most common benchmark, costing about $4,676/mo at the national average rate. 24/7 care requires multiple aides and can cost $15,000-$20,000/mo.
What is the cheapest state for home health aide care?
States in the South and rural Midwest tend to have the lowest home health aide rates, often well below the $27/hr national average. Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are typically among the most affordable.

Compare Home Health Aide Costs

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

Open the Calculator

More Resources

All 51 State Guides Cost Calculator Cost by State Table How to Pay Guide All Articles

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.