What senior care really costs — before you sign anything.
Assisted living averages $5,830 a month nationally, but your state can change that by thousands. See sourced averages and project how long your savings last.
How long will savings last?
The calculator combines national and state averages with your income and savings to project a realistic runway.
Costs by type of care
National averages for 2026. Every figure is sourced and dated — no invented numbers.
Location changes the price more than anything else
The same assisted living apartment costs about $7,956 a month in District of Columbia and about $4,200 in Alabama. Pick your state for the full picture.
Why families end up here
Senior care pricing is opaque by design. Communities rarely publish rates, they quote differently depending on care level, and the two numbers that decide everything — monthly cost and how long your money lasts — are buried in a contract you have never seen before.
This site does three things: it puts a sourced number on what each care type costs, it shows how your state compares, and it projects how long your savings and income will cover the bill. Then you can walk into a tour knowing whether the number you are quoted is normal.
Common questions
How much does senior care cost per month?
Assisted living averages $5,830 a month, memory care $6,999, and a semi-private nursing home room $9,581 nationally in 2026.
Which state has the cheapest senior care?
Among the states, Alabama has the lowest average assisted living cost at about $4,200 per month. District of Columbia is the highest at about $7,956.
Does Medicare pay for assisted living or memory care?
No. Both are custodial long-term care, which Medicare does not cover. Medicaid may cover them for residents who meet strict income and asset limits.
How much savings do you need for senior care?
At the national assisted living average of $5,830 a month, two years of care costs about $139,920. Run your own numbers in the calculator to see how long a specific amount lasts.