Cheapest States For Seniors
When planning for retirement, knowing what senior housing costs in your state can make a big difference. There’s a lot of variety between states, and some are simply cheaper than others. Using data from Where You Live Matters, we’ve ranked all the states in the USA from most expensive to cheapest when it comes to senior housing.
Hawaii
Hawaii has stunning scenery, but at about $9,340 per month, assisted living is very pricey. A private room in a nursing home will set you back $146,365 per year. Still, retirees enjoy the slower pace, friendly community, and beautiful beaches. If you can afford it, it’s a truly peaceful place to spend your golden years – but that’s a big if.
Maine
Many seniors love Maine’s coastal charm, fresh air, and small-town feel, but what about the prices? They’re not ideal. Assisted living in Maine costs about $8,712 per month, while in-home care costs $96,096 a year on average. As for a private nursing home room, that’ll be $157,863 per year.
Vermont
Assisted living in Vermont costs a whopping $8,635 per month, so you really need to be rich to retire here. A place in a nursing home costs $169,725 yearly, again a pretty high price. And in-home care will set you back $91,520 in all.
Delaware
At $7,425 a month - or a hefty $89,100 per year - Delaware ranks among the most expensive states for assisted living. Nursing home fees are also expensive at $142,715 yearly for a private room. The state offers tax benefits for retirees, but you’ll need to be rich to afford the cost of senior care here.
New Jersey
New Jersey is expensive, but retirees benefit from top-rated hospitals and easy access to both city life and the Jersey Shore. Assisted living costs $7,400 per month, a private room in a nursing home costs $152,388 per year, and in-home care costs $81,224 per year.
Alaska
Living in frozen Alaska isn’t cheap, and assisted living is no exception - expect to pay around $7,250 a month or $87,000 a year. That’s one of the highest rates in the country. And that’s not getting into the cost of nursing homes ($415,005) or the cost of in-home care ($75,404).
Massachusetts
Massachusetts comes in high for assisted living, averaging $7,120 monthly. Home and nursing home care cost $86,944 and $175,200 per year respectively. But retirees who move there get top-tier healthcare, historic towns, and beautiful New England seasons.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is on the pricey side, but it offers beautiful forests, quaint towns, and no sales or income tax. Assisted living in the state will set you back $7,025 per month, while the yearly costs of nursing homes and in-home care are $155,125 and $91,520.
Maryland
In Maryland, assisted living costs around $6,900 a month. Home care sits at about $75,504 annually, and private nursing homes are in the $154,030 per year range. So it’s on the more expensive end of the spectrum, but hospitals in the area are top-notch.
California
With a monthly cost of $6,250, California assisted living doesn’t come cheap, and neither does in-home care which comes in at 84,656 a year. California is considered to be largely for the rich but you do get sunshine, access to high-quality hospitals, and loads of recreational options.
Washington
Washington is appealing to many seniors because of the lack of income tax, but assisted living is fairly expensive at $6,138 per month. A private nursing home room is also pricey at $164,250 per year, and home help will cost $91,520 per year.
Virginia
Virginia has many things to recommend it, including good healthcare, but it’s expensive. Assisted living costs $6,050 per month, while the yearly cost of a nursing home is around $122,275. In-home care is a bit pricey as well, although not as much as some others: $68,640 per year.
New York
New York comes in around $5,850 monthly for assisted living. As for a nursing home, it will cost $177,755 yearly for a private room, and for in-home care it will put you back $80,080 every year. You get access to some of the best hospitals in the United States as well, though.
Kansas
Assisted living in Kansas costs $5,850 per month. Home care is around $67,496 per year, and private nursing rooms cost roughly $95,995 per year. Kansas is popular with retirees because it offers a relaxed lifestyle, easy access to healthcare, and plenty of friendly small towns.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island is small, but people appreciate it for its friendliness and beauty. Assisted living in the state costs $5,830 per month, but if you need nursing home care or in-home care expect to pay a lot more. A private room in a nursing home will cost $162,425 yearly, and for someone to stay at your home with you it’s $91,520.
Oregon
Oregon is noted for having good healthcare, and assisted living costs around $5,825 per month. A private room in a nursing home will set you back $182,500 per year, higher than a lot of the other places on this list. Still, it’s considered a pretty good place to retire all in all.
North Carolina
This state offers a mild climate, mountain and beach access, and a booming retirement population. Assisted living in North Carolina averages $5,769 a month, with private rooms in nursing rooms coming in at $109,500 yearly. And in-home help costs $64,064 per year.
Wyoming
Wyoming is a peaceful place with a lot of natural beauty, and many retirees go there. When they arrive, they find that assisted living costs $5,730 per month (or $68,760 per year) and a private room in a nursing home costs $113,150 per year.
West Virginia
West Virginia is on the average side of things with assisted living costs adding up to $5,500. Retirees enjoy the Appalachian scenery, friendly locals, and slow pace, but they need to watch out if they need full-time care. Nursing homes cost $143,445 per year.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania comes in at about $5,550 per month for assisted living. For some that’s affordable, and for others not so much. As for nursing homes, a private room in one of them will cost you $138,700 per year, and in-home care will cost $69,784 per year.
Arizona
Arizona enters the list at around $5,500 a month for assisted living, or $66,000 annually. While not the cheapest place in the world, it’s popular for retirees thanks to its dry climate and beautiful desert landscapes. As for nursing homes, they cost $113,150 a year.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is another state where the average cost of assisted living is $5,500 a month. A private room in a nursing home would cost $122,275 yearly (a non-private room would cost $123,005) and home care costs $74,360 a year.
New Mexico
Assisted living in New Mexico is about $5,450 a month, so on the slightly cheaper end of things. If you need to go into a nursing home that’ll cost $120,085 a year, and in-home help costs $68,640 a year. But seniors are drawn to the state’s warm climate, rich cultural heritage, and beautiful desert landscapes.
Nebraska
Nebraska’s assisted living costs $5,399 per month. Considering the low cost of living and strong community values, Nebraska is pretty good for those looking for affordability as they age. Bear in mind though that if you need to go into a nursing home, that will cost you $97,090 per year.
Minnesota
Minnesota seniors pay around $5,350 a month for assisted living, and if they need a nursing home it will cost them $153,665 per year. The state is known for excellent healthcare, clean cities, and friendly communities, though winters can be hard on seniors.
South Dakota
Assisted living in South Dakota will set you back about $5,341 per month. It’s not a bad place to live, it’s very peaceful, but consider the yearly costs of nursing home rooms and in-home care. It’s $106,945 for a nursing home and $96,096 for a carer.
Ohio
Ohio-based seniors benefit from affordable living, great hospitals, and friendly neighborhoods. The cost of assisted living is $5,294 per month, the cost of a private room in a nursing home for a year is $114,245, and the cost of in-home help is $73,216 per year.
Illinois
Illinois assisted living averages $5,225 per month. In‑home care on the other hand will cost $82,368 per year, with nursing home rooms around $104,025 per year. There’s a lot to do in Illinois, especially in Chicago, and there’s also great access to healthcare, which is a big plus for aging adults.
Iowa
Retirees like Iowa for its safety and strong community values – and the senior housing isn’t bad either. Assisted living costs around $5,200 a month, with private rooms in a nursing home costing $107,675 a year. As for in-home care, that will put you back $86,944 a year.
Colorado
In Colorado, assisted living averages $5,073 a month, while nursing homes are $125,195 a year. It's not the cheapest place on the list, but for nature lovers and those who enjoy four distinct seasons, it might well be worth it. The state offers good healthcare access and plenty of outdoor activities, as well.
Michigan
Assisted living in Michigan is about $5,050 a month, making it a good option. In-home care costs $75,504 per year, and a private room in a nursing home is $137,605. Retirees move to Michigan not just because of the prices, but it because it offers natural beauty, scenic small towns, and a slower pace of life.
North Dakota
Assisted living runs about $5,050 a month in North Dakota. While winters can be brutal, the state ranks high for safety and healthcare access. But if you need to go into a nursing home, it will cost you $103,113 yearly, and if you need in-home care that’ll cost $73,216 per year.
Indiana
Assisted living in Indiana averages just $5,013 a month, while in-home care is about $80,080 per year. Nursing homes hover around $116,435 per year for a private room. It’s an easygoing, comfortable place to retire and it has great hospitals.
Idaho
In Idaho, assisted living costs about $5,000 per month – not bad at all. Home care costs $73,216 a year and a nursing home room will be $132,860 a year. Seniors love the prices here, as well as Idaho’s clean air, quiet towns, and easy access to lakes and mountains.
Nevada
Retirees love the dry climate, entertainment options, and zero state income tax of Nevada. The prices of senior housing are fairly reasonable, as well. Assisted living costs $5,000 per month, while the yearly cost of a nursing home is $148,738. As for in-home care, that’s $68,640 per year.
Texas
Seniors are drawn to Texas because of the lack of income tax, great food, and warm weather. But what about the costs as they age? Assisted living is fairly affordable at $4,915, and the cost of a private nursing home room is an also fairly affordable $80,300.
Montana
The seniors of Montana love the natural beauty - mountains, lakes, and open space. It’s ideal for those who enjoy the outdoors and a quieter lifestyle. Assisted living costs $4,908 per month, and a private room in a nursing home costs $101,470 per year. In-home care costs $80,080 per year.
Tennessee
Tennessee offers assisted living at roughly $4,900 a month, making it a great choice for those without much money. With no state income tax, retirees keep more of their savings, too. A private room in a care home will cost $111,325 however.
Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, assisted living costs around $4,888 monthly – a pretty good price. Retirees in the area enjoy the low cost of living, mild winters, and friendly communities. And if you need a nursing home, it will cost you $82,125 yearly for a private room – again, not bad.
Missouri
Retirees in Missouri enjoy the low cost of living, great food, and friendly communities. But you need to look at the costs of senior housing before you move. Assisted living in Missouri costs $4,851 per month, not bad, while a nursing home room costs $78,475 per year and in-home care costs $91,520 per year.
Connecticut
In the calming state of Connecticut you’ll find top-notch healthcare and charming New England scenery everywhere you go. Retirees face assisted living costs of $4,776 per month, nursing home fees of $198,925 a year, and in-home care costs of $80,080.
Florida
Florida remains a retirement favorite, and assisted living costs the inexpensive $4,750 per month. In‑home care runs about $68,640 per year and private nursing home rooms cost $136,875 per year. Seniors love Florida’s sunny weather, no state income tax, and endless recreation.
Louisiana
Assisted living costs about $4,750 per month in Louisiana. As for in-home care, that will cost $56,056 per year, and a private place in a nursing home will cost $89,790 per year. Louisiana is a nice place with a rich history, but you also want to bear in mind that it faces climate challenges.
South Carolina
South Carolina’s assisted living averages $4,650 monthly – it’s definitely on the cheaper side of things. A private room in a nursing home will cost you $112,420 yearly, though only $104,025 for a semi-private room. And in-home care costs $73,216 per year.
Kentucky
With assisted living at just $4,335 per month, Kentucky is among the more affordable retirement states. In‑home care costs $56,056 per year and nursing homes cost $106,945 per year. It should come as no surprise that seniors are flocking to Kentucky - plus, there’s no tax on Social Security benefits.
Utah
Communities here are known for being clean, safe, and active, and the assisted living costs are pretty low as well. It costs only $4,150, a pretty good price. But expect to pay more if you need more serious care. A nursing home room is $121,363 yearly, and in-home care is $80,080 yearly.
Arkansas
If you’re looking for pretty good value, Arkansas offers assisted living at just $4,146 a month. That’s on the lower end nationwide, making it a good option for retirees. As for nursing homes, they cost the relatively low $94,900 annually, and in-home help costs $68,640.
Alabama
Assisted living in Alabama averages about $4,143 a month, or $49,710 a year. That’s relatively affordable compared to some of the other states on this list. A nursing home will put you back $96,725 a year – also fairly affordable. Alabama’s not a bad state to need senior housing in.
Georgia
Many retirees love Georgia’s mild winters, welcoming Southern hospitality, and access to beautiful nature – plus it’s cheap. Assisted living in Georgia costs about $4,120 a month, making it one of the more affordable options. Home care costs $61,776 a year, and private nursing rooms are close to $100,375 a year.
Mississippi
Assisted living in Mississippi is a bargain at about $3,800 per month. As you can imagine, people are starting to flock there for the low prices. If they need a nursing home room that will cost them $105,120 per year, and as for home care, that costs an affordable $50,336 per year.
