Nursing Home Costs by State (2026)

Compare nursing home and skilled nursing facility costs in all 50 states + DC

Browse by Care Type

National Average: $11,040/mo

Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide the highest level of senior care, with 24/7 medical supervision from licensed nurses. They're the most expensive care option — but essential for seniors with complex medical needs.

Cheapest State Texas: $5,639/mo
Most Expensive Alaska: $31,282/mo
Cost Range $25,643/mo

Cheapest & Most Expensive States for Nursing Home

5 Most Affordable

1. Texas $5,639/mo
2. Missouri $6,548/mo
3. Oklahoma $6,641/mo
4. Arkansas $7,362/mo
5. Louisiana $7,707/mo

5 Most Expensive

1. Alaska $31,282/mo
2. Oregon $16,292/mo
3. Hawaii $15,540/mo
4. Connecticut $15,508/mo
5. New York $15,164/mo

Nursing Home Costs in All 50 States + DC

# State Semi-Private Room vs. National Avg Annual Cost
1 Texas $5,639/mo 49% below $67,668/yr
2 Missouri $6,548/mo 41% below $78,576/yr
3 Oklahoma $6,641/mo 40% below $79,692/yr
4 Arkansas $7,362/mo 33% below $88,344/yr
5 Louisiana $7,707/mo 30% below $92,484/yr
6 Arizona $7,832/mo 29% below $93,984/yr
7 Kansas $7,989/mo 28% below $95,868/yr
8 Illinois $8,145/mo 26% below $97,740/yr
9 Alabama $8,397/mo 24% below $100,764/yr
10 Utah $8,616/mo 22% below $103,392/yr
11 Nebraska $8,631/mo 22% below $103,572/yr
12 Indiana $8,741/mo 21% below $104,892/yr
13 Virginia $8,929/mo 19% below $107,148/yr
14 Kentucky $8,992/mo 19% below $107,904/yr
15 Georgia $9,086/mo 18% below $109,032/yr
16 North Carolina $9,086/mo 18% below $109,032/yr
17 South Dakota $9,086/mo 18% below $109,032/yr
18 North Dakota $9,148/mo 17% below $109,776/yr
19 Iowa $9,195/mo 17% below $110,340/yr
20 South Carolina $9,227/mo 16% below $110,724/yr
21 Ohio $9,305/mo 16% below $111,660/yr
22 Montana $9,336/mo 15% below $112,032/yr
23 Tennessee $9,399/mo 15% below $112,788/yr
24 Mississippi $9,931/mo 10% below $119,172/yr
25 New Mexico $10,057/mo 9% below $120,684/yr
26 Wyoming $10,213/mo 8% below $122,556/yr
27 Colorado $10,339/mo 6% below $124,068/yr
28 Idaho $10,370/mo 6% below $124,440/yr
29 Wisconsin $10,370/mo 6% below $124,440/yr
30 Florida $10,652/mo 4% below $127,824/yr
31 Michigan $10,965/mo 1% below $131,580/yr
32 Nevada $11,545/mo 5% above $138,540/yr
33 Rhode Island $11,748/mo 6% above $140,976/yr
34 District of Columbia $11,952/mo 8% above $143,424/yr
35 California $12,046/mo 9% above $144,552/yr
36 Pennsylvania $12,187/mo 10% above $146,244/yr
37 Minnesota $12,532/mo 14% above $150,384/yr
38 New Jersey $12,751/mo 16% above $153,012/yr
39 New Hampshire $12,845/mo 16% above $154,140/yr
40 West Virginia $12,845/mo 16% above $154,140/yr
41 Maryland $12,876/mo 17% above $154,512/yr
42 Washington $13,095/mo 19% above $157,140/yr
43 Maine $13,315/mo 21% above $159,780/yr
44 Vermont $14,099/mo 28% above $169,188/yr
45 Delaware $14,599/mo 32% above $175,188/yr
46 Massachusetts $14,881/mo 35% above $178,572/yr
47 New York $15,164/mo 37% above $181,968/yr
48 Connecticut $15,508/mo 40% above $186,096/yr
49 Hawaii $15,540/mo 41% above $186,480/yr
50 Oregon $16,292/mo 48% above $195,504/yr
51 Alaska $31,282/mo 183% above $375,384/yr

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

What Is Nursing Home?

Nursing homes, also called skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), provide 24-hour medical care from registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants. They serve seniors with complex health conditions, those recovering from surgery or hospitalization, and individuals who need ongoing medical supervision.

Services include round-the-clock nursing care, physician oversight, medication administration, physical/occupational/speech therapy, wound care, IV therapy, and assistance with all daily living activities. Most facilities offer both semi-private (shared) and private rooms.

Nursing homes are regulated by both federal and state governments and must meet strict quality standards. Medicare covers short-term skilled nursing care (up to 100 days) after a qualifying hospital stay, while Medicaid covers long-term nursing home care for eligible individuals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a nursing home cost per month in 2026?
The national average nursing home cost in 2026 is $11,040/mo for a semi-private room and $12,235/mo for a private room. That's $132,480 to $146,820 per year — making it the most expensive form of senior care.
Does Medicare cover nursing home costs?
Medicare covers skilled nursing facility care for up to 100 days after a qualifying 3-day hospital stay. Days 1-20 are fully covered; days 21-100 require a daily copay. Medicare does not cover long-term (custodial) nursing home stays. Medicaid is the primary payer for long-term nursing home care.
What is the difference between a semi-private and private nursing home room?
A semi-private room is shared with one or more other residents, while a private room is for one person only. Private rooms cost about 10-15% more than semi-private rooms. Medicaid typically only covers semi-private rooms.
What is the cheapest state for nursing home care?
States in the South and Midwest generally have the lowest nursing home costs. Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Missouri often rank among the most affordable, with semi-private rates well below the $11,040/mo national average.
How do I pay for nursing home care?
Common payment sources include: Medicaid (covers ~62% of nursing home residents), Medicare (short-term only), long-term care insurance, VA benefits for veterans, personal savings and investments, reverse mortgages, and life insurance conversions. Many people eventually qualify for Medicaid after spending down assets.

Compare Nursing Home Costs

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

Open the Calculator

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.