Care Cost in Virginia
2026 average monthly costs for assisted living, nursing homes, memory care, home care, and adult day services in Virginia.
Monthly Care Costs
Home Care
$6,673/mo
$80,076 per year
Home care services in Virginia 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 Virginia offer a flexible alternative to facility-based care.
Adult Day Care
$1,750/mo
$21,000 per year
Adult day care programs in Virginia offer structured daytime activities, socialization, and health monitoring — providing essential respite for family caregivers. Adult day services in Virginia are among the most affordable long-term care options available.
Assisted Living
$6,945/mo
$83,340 per year
Assisted living facilities in Virginia provide personal care, meals, and medication management for seniors who need daily support but not round-the-clock medical attention. Assisted living costs in Virginia typically cover a private room, housekeeping, and access to social activities.
Memory Care(Est.)
$8,700/mo
$104,400 per year
Memory care facilities in Virginia 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 Virginia are estimated at approximately 1.25× the assisted living rate.
Nursing Home (Semi-Private)
$10,250/mo
$123,000 per year
Skilled nursing facilities in Virginia offer 24-hour medical supervision, rehabilitation therapy, and long-term care for seniors with complex health needs. Nursing home costs in Virginia reflect round-the-clock licensed nursing staff and specialized medical equipment. This rate reflects a semi-private room.
Nursing Home (Private Room)
$11,680/mo
$140,160 per year
A private room in a Virginia nursing home offers greater privacy and comfort for residents requiring 24-hour skilled nursing care. In Virginia, a private room costs about 14% more than a semi-private room (the 2025 CareScout Cost of Care Survey).
How costs vary across Virginia
Northern Virginia, including Alexandria and McLean, is the state's costliest region, with high demand and a broad care market. Hampton Roads and Richmond are more moderate, while Charlottesville costs are rising. Southwest Virginia and Southside communities generally cost less but have fewer facilities and home care providers. If considering a lower-cost area, confirm that the needed services are available nearby before making plans.
Read the full Virginia planning guideAnnual Cost Breakdown
| Care Type | Monthly | Annual | National Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Care | $6,673 | $80,076 | $6,673 | 0% |
| Adult Day Care | $1,750 | $21,000 | $2,058 | -15% |
| Assisted Living | $6,945 | $83,340 | $6,200 | +12% |
| Memory Care(Est.) | $8,700 | $104,400 | $7,800 | +12% |
| Nursing Home (Semi-Private) | $10,250 | $123,000 | $9,581 | +7% |
| Nursing Home (Private Room) | $11,680 | $140,160 | $10,798 | +8% |
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 | $6,673 | $7,736 | $8,968 |
| Adult Day Care | $1,750 | $2,029 | $2,352 |
| Assisted Living | $6,945 | $8,051 | $9,333 |
| Memory Care(Est.) | $8,700 | $10,086 | $11,692 |
| Nursing Home (Semi-Private) | $10,250 | $11,883 | $13,775 |
| Nursing Home (Private Room) | $11,680 | $13,540 | $15,697 |
* 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 Virginia can expect to pay over multi-year care periods.
| Care Type | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Care | $247,507 | $425,134 | $917,982 |
| Adult Day Care | $64,909 | $111,492 | $240,741 |
| Assisted Living | $257,596 | $442,463 | $955,400 |
| Memory Care | $322,690 | $554,274 | $1,196,829 |
| Nursing Home (Semi-Private) | $380,181 | $653,024 | $1,410,057 |
| Nursing Home (Private Room) | $433,221 | $744,128 | $1,606,777 |
* Cumulative totals assume continuous care starting today with 3% annual inflation compounding each year.
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Today's Monthly Cost
$11,680/mo
NH Private Room · Virginia
Monthly Cost Today
$11,680/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 Virginia
Updated October 2026Assisted living in Virginia costs $6,945/month in 2026 — 12% above the national median of $6,200.
A semi-private nursing home room in Virginia runs $10,250/month, 7% above the national median of $9,581.
In-home care in Virginia averages $6,673/month for roughly 44 hrs/week ($35/hr) — 0% above the national median.
The most affordable long-term care option in Virginia is adult day care at $1,750/month.
Memory care in Virginia runs about $8,700/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 Virginia costs $11,680/month — 8% above the national median of $10,798.
Medicaid in Virginia can cover nursing home care for applicants under the $2,982/month income limit (2026); see the Virginia Medicaid guide for asset rules.
How to Pay for Long-Term Care in Virginia
Families in Virginia have several options to help cover the cost of senior care.
Virginia Medicaid
Virginia Medicaid is administered by the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS); eligibility determined by local Department of Social Services (DSS).
- Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus Waiver (CCC+): Offers personal care, respite, emergency alerts, and home changes through Cardinal Care Managed Care.
- Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE): Brings Medicare and Medicaid benefits together, including long-term care and potentially dental and eye care.
Virginia does not require a Miller Trust for Medicaid long-term care.
Read the Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia.
Personal Savings & Home Equity
Many Virginia 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 Virginia
- Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
- 1-800-552-3402
Help with resident rights, complaints, and care-quality concerns in nursing homes and assisted living.
- Adult Protective Services
To reach Adult Protective Services in Virginia, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
- Virginia Area Agencies on Aging
Find local aging services for benefits counseling, caregiver support, and care-planning resources.
View Virginia's Area Agencies on Aging list- Virginia Veterans Care Center, Roanoke
- (540) 982-2860
Contact the veterans home or state office about care options for veterans.
Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Care Costs
The average cost of assisted living in Virginia is $6,945 per month, or $83,340 per year. This is 12% above the national average of $6,200 per month. Assisted living facilities in Virginia typically include personal care, meals, medication management, and social activities.
Nursing home care in Virginia costs an average of $10,250 per month for a semi-private room. A private room runs $11,680 per month, or $140,160 per year. Virginia 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.
Virginia long-term care costs are close to the national average. Monthly costs range from $1,750 for the most affordable option to $10,250 for the most expensive. Planning early can help families in Virginia prepare financially.
There are several ways to pay for nursing home and long-term care in Virginia: (1) Medicaid — Virginia'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 Virginia is adult day care at $1,750 per month, followed by home care at $6,673 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.
Virginia offers the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus Waiver under Cardinal Care Managed Care, which replaced CCC Plus managed care in 2023. Waiver enrollment is limited and waiting lists may apply. PACE combines Medicare and Medicaid benefits in a separate program, so ask which option fits the person's care situation.
Start with your local Area Agency on Aging for benefits counseling, caregiver support, and help finding community services. LTCareNav's Virginia 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 Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at 1-800-552-3402.
Compare Nearby States
See how Virginia's long-term care costs compare to neighboring states.
Washington D.C.
+19%Kentucky
-10%Maryland
+15%North Carolina
-7%Tennessee
-12%More Virginia Long-Term Care Resources
Check Medicaid Eligibility
See Virginia's Medicaid income and asset limits, programs, and how to apply.
View Virginia 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.