Nursing Home Cost: Prices With & Without Insurance

Nursing home prices are usually quoted as a daily rate, then converted to a month or a year. Room type is the biggest single factor: a shared room costs less than a private one. The state matters almost as much, and the gap between the cheapest and most expensive states is large.

Figures below were checked on Oct 14, 2026. They are national or state medians from published surveys and cost guides, not quotes from a specific facility, so a particular home may charge more or less.

Two guides publish monthly national figures. A Place for Mom reports a monthly range for a semi-private to a private room, and its numbers are derived from CareScout survey data rather than gathered independently. SeniorLiving.org publishes its own estimates, which run somewhat higher.

Facilities generally bill by the day, so the daily rate is the number closest to what a contract states. The CareScout Cost of Care Survey, run by Genworth's long-term care unit, reports a national median daily rate of $315/day for a semi-private room and $355/day for a private room. The other guide reports slightly higher daily medians.

Over a full year, those daily rates add up to six figures in both guides.

State prices vary widely. The table shows a few states for a semi-private room. Texas sits near the low end of the published list, while Alaska is the highest.

The CareScout survey also reports the most expensive states by annual cost. A private room in Oregon and a semi-private room in Alaska lead their categories.

The sources differ because they use different survey years, sampling methods, and rounding. One guide converts CareScout daily rates into months. Another uses its own research as of June 2026. Neither claims to predict the price of a single facility.

People often compare nursing homes with other settings. The CareScout survey also reports these national medians for lower-intensity options.

These services are not the same as nursing home care, and the right setting is a decision for you, your family, and a licensed doctor or care planner.

• Room type. Semi-private rooms cost less than private rooms.
• State and region. The state table above shows Texas near the bottom and states such as New York, Connecticut, and Alaska far higher.
• Level of care. Facilities may charge more for extra services, so ask what the base rate includes.
• Rate increases. Facilities can raise prices over time. Ask how often and by how much.

Medicare generally does not pay for long-term custodial care. It may cover a limited stay of skilled care in certain situations, and the rules are specific. Medicaid may help some people with limited income and assets, and the rules vary by state. Long-term care insurance, personal savings, and veterans benefits are other possible sources. For the rules that apply to you, check Medicare.gov and contact your state Medicaid office.

• What does the daily or monthly rate include, and what costs extra?
• How often have rates increased in the past few years?
• Is the quoted price for a private or semi-private room?
• Does the facility accept Medicaid, and what happens if funds run out?
• Does the contract include admission fees or deposits, and are they refundable?

Get the answers in writing before you sign, and consider asking an elder law attorney to review the contract.