Care Cost in New Jersey
2026 average monthly costs for assisted living, nursing homes, memory care, home care, and adult day services in New Jersey.
Monthly Care Costs
Home Care
$7,245/mo
$86,940 per year
Home care services in New Jersey 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 New Jersey offer a flexible alternative to facility-based care.
Adult Day Care
$2,167/mo
$26,004 per year
Adult day care programs in New Jersey offer structured daytime activities, socialization, and health monitoring — providing essential respite for family caregivers. Adult day services in New Jersey are among the most affordable long-term care options available.
Assisted Living
$8,710/mo
$104,520 per year
Assisted living facilities in New Jersey provide personal care, meals, and medication management for seniors who need daily support but not round-the-clock medical attention. Assisted living costs in New Jersey typically cover a private room, housekeeping, and access to social activities.
Memory Care(Est.)
$10,900/mo
$130,800 per year
Memory care facilities in New Jersey 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 New Jersey are estimated at approximately 1.25× the assisted living rate.
Nursing Home (Semi-Private)
$12,775/mo
$153,300 per year
Skilled nursing facilities in New Jersey offer 24-hour medical supervision, rehabilitation therapy, and long-term care for seniors with complex health needs. Nursing home costs in New Jersey reflect round-the-clock licensed nursing staff and specialized medical equipment. This rate reflects a semi-private room.
Nursing Home (Private Room)
$14,448/mo
$173,376 per year
A private room in a New Jersey nursing home offers greater privacy and comfort for residents requiring 24-hour skilled nursing care. In New Jersey, a private room costs about 13% more than a semi-private room (the 2025 CareScout Cost of Care Survey).
How costs vary across New Jersey
Northern New Jersey, including Bergen, Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties, generally has the highest care costs because of its proximity to New York City. Central communities around Princeton, Edison, and the Shore sit in the mid-to-high range. Southern areas, including Cherry Hill and Atlantic City, may offer more affordable choices, though availability differs. Ocean County's large retirement-age population adds demand for senior services. Ask the county welfare agency or local Area Agency on Aging about care programs while checking openings in the communities you are comparing.
Read the full New Jersey planning guideAnnual Cost Breakdown
| Care Type | Monthly | Annual | National Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Care | $7,245 | $86,940 | $6,673 | +9% |
| Adult Day Care | $2,167 | $26,004 | $2,058 | +5% |
| Assisted Living | $8,710 | $104,520 | $6,200 | +40% |
| Memory Care(Est.) | $10,900 | $130,800 | $7,800 | +40% |
| Nursing Home (Semi-Private) | $12,775 | $153,300 | $9,581 | +33% |
| Nursing Home (Private Room) | $14,448 | $173,376 | $10,798 | +34% |
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 | $7,245 | $8,399 | $9,737 |
| Adult Day Care | $2,167 | $2,512 | $2,912 |
| Assisted Living | $8,710 | $10,097 | $11,706 |
| Memory Care(Est.) | $10,900 | $12,636 | $14,649 |
| Nursing Home (Semi-Private) | $12,775 | $14,810 | $17,169 |
| Nursing Home (Private Room) | $14,448 | $16,749 | $19,417 |
* 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 New Jersey can expect to pay over multi-year care periods.
| Care Type | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Care | $268,723 | $461,576 | $996,670 |
| Adult Day Care | $80,376 | $138,059 | $298,107 |
| Assisted Living | $323,061 | $554,911 | $1,198,205 |
| Memory Care | $404,290 | $694,435 | $1,499,475 |
| Nursing Home (Semi-Private) | $473,835 | $813,891 | $1,757,413 |
| Nursing Home (Private Room) | $535,888 | $920,477 | $1,987,562 |
* Cumulative totals assume continuous care starting today with 3% annual inflation compounding each year.
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Today's Monthly Cost
$14,448/mo
NH Private Room · New Jersey
Monthly Cost Today
$14,448/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 New Jersey
Updated October 2026Assisted living in New Jersey costs $8,710/month in 2026 — 40% above the national median of $6,200.
A semi-private nursing home room in New Jersey runs $12,775/month, 33% above the national median of $9,581.
In-home care in New Jersey averages $7,245/month for roughly 44 hrs/week ($38/hr) — 9% above the national median.
The most affordable long-term care option in New Jersey is adult day care at $2,167/month.
Memory care in New Jersey runs about $10,900/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 New Jersey costs $14,448/month — 34% above the national median of $10,798.
Medicaid in New Jersey can cover nursing home care for applicants under the $2,982/month income limit (2026); see the New Jersey Medicaid guide for asset rules.
How to Pay for Long-Term Care in New Jersey
Families in New Jersey have several options to help cover the cost of senior care.
New Jersey Medicaid
New Jersey Medicaid is administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services.
- Managed Long Term Services & Supports (MLTSS) Program: Coordinates nursing home and community care, including personal care, adult day services, and support in assisted living.
- Personal Preference Program (PPP): Gives participants a budget for services such as personal care and home changes, with options to choose a paid family caregiver.
New Jersey requires a Miller Trust (Qualified Income Trust) if your income is over the limit for nursing home or waiver Medicaid.
Read the New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey.
Personal Savings & Home Equity
Many New Jersey 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 New Jersey
- NJ Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
- 1-877-582-6995
Help with resident rights, complaints, and care-quality concerns in nursing homes and assisted living.
- Adult Protective Services
To reach Adult Protective Services in New Jersey, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
- New Jersey Area Agencies on Aging
Find local aging services for benefits counseling, caregiver support, and care-planning resources.
View New Jersey's Area Agencies on Aging list
Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey Care Costs
The average cost of assisted living in New Jersey is $8,710 per month, or $104,520 per year. This is 40% above the national average of $6,200 per month. Assisted living facilities in New Jersey typically include personal care, meals, medication management, and social activities.
Nursing home care in New Jersey costs an average of $12,775 per month for a semi-private room. A private room runs $14,448 per month, or $173,376 per year. New Jersey 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, New Jersey is more expensive than average for long-term care, with costs approximately 26% above the national average. The most expensive option is nursing home care at $12,775 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 New Jersey: (1) Medicaid — New Jersey'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 New Jersey is adult day care at $2,167 per month, followed by home care at $7,245 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, New Jersey's MLTSS program includes services in assisted living residences for eligible people. It also serves people in adult family care and comprehensive personal care homes. Ask NJ FamilyCare which setting and services fit the person's needs before arranging care.
Start with your local Area Agency on Aging for benefits counseling, caregiver support, and help finding community services. LTCareNav's New Jersey 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 New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at 1-877-582-6995.
Compare Nearby States
See how New Jersey's long-term care costs compare to neighboring states.
Delaware
-1%New York
+3%Pennsylvania
-12%More New Jersey Long-Term Care Resources
Check Medicaid Eligibility
See New Jersey's Medicaid income and asset limits, programs, and how to apply.
View New Jersey Medicaid GuideGet a Personalized Plan
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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.