Care Cost in Massachusetts
2026 average monthly costs for assisted living, nursing homes, memory care, home care, and adult day services in Massachusetts.
Monthly Care Costs
Home Care
$7,627/mo
$91,524 per year
Home care services in Massachusetts include personal care aides and home health aides who help seniors age in place with assistance for bathing, meals, and mobility. In-home caregivers in Massachusetts offer a flexible alternative to facility-based care.
Adult Day Care
$2,427/mo
$29,124 per year
Adult day care programs in Massachusetts offer structured daytime activities, socialization, and health monitoring — providing essential respite for family caregivers. Adult day services in Massachusetts are among the most affordable long-term care options available.
Assisted Living
$9,600/mo
$115,200 per year
Assisted living facilities in Massachusetts provide personal care, meals, and medication management for seniors who need daily support but not round-the-clock medical attention. Assisted living costs in Massachusetts typically cover a private room, housekeeping, and access to social activities.
Memory Care(Est.)
$12,000/mo
$144,000 per year
Memory care facilities in Massachusetts provide specialized support for seniors with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. These secured communities offer structured routines, cognitive therapies, and 24-hour supervision. Memory care costs in Massachusetts are estimated at approximately 1.25× the assisted living rate.
Nursing Home (Semi-Private)
$14,448/mo
$173,376 per year
Skilled nursing facilities in Massachusetts offer 24-hour medical supervision, rehabilitation therapy, and long-term care for seniors with complex health needs. Nursing home costs in Massachusetts reflect round-the-clock licensed nursing staff and specialized medical equipment. This rate reflects a semi-private room.
Nursing Home (Private Room)
$15,817/mo
$189,804 per year
A private room in a Massachusetts nursing home offers greater privacy and comfort for residents requiring 24-hour skilled nursing care. In Massachusetts, a private room costs about 9% more than a semi-private room (the 2025 CareScout Cost of Care Survey).
How costs vary across Massachusetts
Greater Boston is generally the state’s highest-cost area, while Worcester and Springfield are mid-range markets with good provider availability. Cape Cod and the Islands have above-average costs, reflecting seasonal demand and limited year-round providers. Western Massachusetts and the Berkshires are generally lower-cost areas with more limited availability; the South Coast and Merrimack Valley sit in the mid-to-lower range. On Cape Cod and the Islands, ask providers whether they can maintain care year-round rather than relying on seasonal availability.
Read the full Massachusetts planning guideAnnual Cost Breakdown
| Care Type | Monthly | Annual | National Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Care | $7,627 | $91,524 | $6,673 | +14% |
| Adult Day Care | $2,427 | $29,124 | $2,058 | +18% |
| Assisted Living | $9,600 | $115,200 | $6,200 | +55% |
| Memory Care(Est.) | $12,000 | $144,000 | $7,800 | +54% |
| Nursing Home (Semi-Private) | $14,448 | $173,376 | $9,581 | +51% |
| Nursing Home (Private Room) | $15,817 | $189,804 | $10,798 | +46% |
Source: CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey (released March 2026)
Cost Projections
Estimated future monthly costs based on a 3% annual care cost inflation rate.
| Care Type | Today | In 5 Years | In 10 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Care | $7,627 | $8,842 | $10,250 |
| Adult Day Care | $2,427 | $2,814 | $3,262 |
| Assisted Living | $9,600 | $11,129 | $12,902 |
| Memory Care(Est.) | $12,000 | $13,911 | $16,127 |
| Nursing Home (Semi-Private) | $14,448 | $16,749 | $19,417 |
| Nursing Home (Private Room) | $15,817 | $18,336 | $21,257 |
* Projections are estimates based on historical care cost inflation trends. Actual costs may vary.
Total Cost of Care Over Time
Cumulative cost if care begins today, including 3% annual inflation. These totals show what families in Massachusetts can expect to pay over multi-year care periods.
| Care Type | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Care | $282,892 | $485,913 | $1,049,220 |
| Adult Day Care | $90,019 | $154,623 | $333,874 |
| Assisted Living | $356,072 | $611,612 | $1,320,639 |
| Memory Care | $445,090 | $764,516 | $1,650,799 |
| Nursing Home (Semi-Private) | $535,888 | $920,477 | $1,987,562 |
| Nursing Home (Private Room) | $586,665 | $1,007,695 | $2,175,890 |
* Cumulative totals assume continuous care starting today with 3% annual inflation compounding each year.
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Today's Monthly Cost
$15,817/mo
NH Private Room · Massachusetts
Monthly Cost Today
$15,817/mo
3% inflation · 3 years of care
Don't rush to sell the home
Bridge loans, HELOCs, and reverse mortgages can fund care without selling.
Care costs rise 3–5% annually
Factor long-term inflation into all planning models.
Medicaid lookback is 5 years
Planning must begin well before care is needed to protect assets.
Source: CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey (updated March 2026)
* AK NH Private Room: A Place For Mom. ADC — DE: Genworth; DC: PayingForSeniorCare; ID: MedicaidLongTermCare.org; SD: Genworth; VT: VT Adult Services Div.; WV: CareCostIndex.com.
Key Insights for Massachusetts
Updated October 2026Assisted living in Massachusetts costs $9,600/month in 2026 — 55% above the national median of $6,200.
A semi-private nursing home room in Massachusetts runs $14,448/month, 51% above the national median of $9,581.
In-home care in Massachusetts averages $7,627/month for roughly 44 hrs/week ($40/hr) — 14% above the national median.
The most affordable long-term care option in Massachusetts is adult day care at $2,427/month.
Memory care in Massachusetts runs about $12,000/month — roughly 25% above the assisted living rate, the typical industry markup (CareScout does not publish memory care data separately).
A private nursing home room in Massachusetts costs $15,817/month — 46% above the national median of $10,798.
Medicaid in Massachusetts can cover nursing home care for applicants under the $2,982/month income limit (2026); see the Massachusetts Medicaid guide for asset rules.
How to Pay for Long-Term Care in Massachusetts
Families in Massachusetts have several options to help cover the cost of senior care.
MassHealth
MassHealth is administered by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS).
- Frail Elder Home & Community-Based Services Waiver (FEW): Supports people who need nursing home-level care at home, in adult foster care, or in congregate housing with personal care, meals, and home changes.
- Group Adult Foster Care (GAFC) & SSI-G: Combines MassHealth and state funding to help pay for assisted living-type care.
- Moving Forward Plan – Residential Supports (MFP-RS) Waiver: Helps nursing home residents move into assisted living or memory care residences.
Massachusetts does not require a Miller Trust for Medicaid long-term care.
Read the Massachusetts Medicaid guideVeterans Benefits
The VA Aid and Attendance benefit can provide up to $2,424/month for single veterans (or $2,874/month with a spouse) in Massachusetts to help pay for assisted living, nursing home care, or in-home caregivers.
Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-term care insurance policies purchased before care is needed can cover a significant portion of assisted living, nursing home, and home care costs in Massachusetts.
Personal Savings & Home Equity
Many Massachusetts families use a combination of retirement savings, Social Security income, and home equity (through reverse mortgages or home sales) to fund long-term care.
Who to call in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
- 617-222-7495
Help with resident rights, complaints, and care-quality concerns in nursing homes and assisted living.
- Adult Protective Services
To reach Adult Protective Services in Massachusetts, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
- Massachusetts Area Agencies on Aging
Find local aging services for benefits counseling, caregiver support, and care-planning resources.
View Massachusetts's Area Agencies on Aging list- Massachusetts Veterans Home at Holyoke
- (413) 532-9475
Contact the veterans home or state office about care options for veterans.
Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts Care Costs
The average cost of assisted living in Massachusetts is $9,600 per month, or $115,200 per year. This is 55% above the national average of $6,200 per month. Assisted living facilities in Massachusetts typically include personal care, meals, medication management, and social activities.
Nursing home care in Massachusetts costs an average of $14,448 per month for a semi-private room. A private room runs $15,817 per month, or $189,804 per year. Massachusetts nursing home costs are above the national average of $9,581 per month for a semi-private room. Medicare only covers short rehab stays. For long stays, most families pay privately until savings run low, then Medicaid steps in.
Yes, Massachusetts is more expensive than average for long-term care, with costs approximately 39% above the national average. The most expensive option is nursing home care at $14,448 per month. Families should explore Medicaid, VA benefits, and long-term care insurance to help manage these costs.
There are several ways to pay for nursing home and long-term care in Massachusetts: (1) Medicaid — Massachusetts's Medicaid program covers nursing home care for eligible residents who meet income and asset limits. (2) Medicare — covers short-term skilled nursing after a hospital stay, but not long-term custodial care. (3) Long-term care insurance — if purchased in advance, policies can help cover assisted living, nursing home, and home care costs. (4) Veterans benefits — the VA Aid and Attendance benefit helps eligible veterans and surviving spouses pay for care. (5) Personal savings and assets — many families use a combination of savings, home equity, and retirement funds.
The most affordable long-term care option in Massachusetts is adult day care at $2,427 per month, followed by home care at $7,627 per month. Adult day care provides daytime supervision, activities, and meals while allowing seniors to return home in the evening — making it a popular choice for families with a caregiver at home.
Yes, Group Adult Foster Care and SSI-G combine MassHealth with state funding for assisted living-type care. The Moving Forward Plan Residential Supports Waiver also helps nursing home residents transition to assisted living or memory care. These are different routes, so ask which program fits the person's current living situation.
Start with your local Area Agency on Aging for benefits counseling, caregiver support, and help finding community services. LTCareNav's Massachusetts Area Agencies on Aging list helps you find local care-planning resources. For questions about resident rights or concerns about nursing home or assisted living care, contact the Massachusetts Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at 617-222-7495.
Compare Nearby States
See how Massachusetts's long-term care costs compare to neighboring states.
Connecticut
0%New Hampshire
-14%New York
-6%Rhode Island
-16%Vermont
-2%More Massachusetts Long-Term Care Resources
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See Massachusetts's Medicaid income and asset limits, programs, and how to apply.
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Create Free AccountSource: CareScout Cost of Care Survey, July–November 2025, released March 2026 (Genworth/CareScout). Monthly NH figures = annual ÷ 12 (365-day basis). Non-medical caregiver = 44 hrs/week × 52 weeks ÷ 12. Memory care is an estimate (assisted living x 1.25). CareScout does not publish memory care data.