How Much Does a Nursing Home Cost?

The national median cost for a semi-private room in a nursing home is $9,581 per month. Private rooms average $10,798 per month. Costs vary significantly by state and facility — from roughly $5,000/month in some Southern states to over $15,000/month in parts of the Northeast.

Medicare only covers short-term skilled nursing care (up to 100 days) after a qualifying hospital stay. It does NOT cover long-term custodial care, which is what most families actually need. This is one of the most common and costly misconceptions in long-term care planning.

Common payment sources include personal savings and investments, long-term care insurance, Medicaid (for those who qualify), VA benefits for eligible veterans, life insurance conversions, and reverse mortgages. Most families use a combination of these. Planning early gives you the most options.

Assisted living is generally less expensive than nursing home care. The national median is $6,200 per month for assisted living versus $9,581 for a semi-private nursing home room. However, assisted living costs can increase significantly if memory care or higher levels of assistance are needed.

Start planning early — families who plan ahead typically save 20-40% on total care costs. Consider home care as a lower-cost starting point, explore veterans' benefits if applicable, look into Medicaid planning with an elder law attorney, and compare costs across nearby states if you live near a border.

Long-term care costs have been increasing at roughly 3-5% per year on average, outpacing general inflation. A nursing home room that costs $9,581/month today could cost over $12,876/month in just 10 years. This is why planning sooner rather than later is so important.