Elder Care Cost Calculator

Compare elder care costs: in-home aide, adult day care, assisted living, and nursing home by state.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: CDC

Care Type

Monthly Cost

$5,000.00

Annual Cost

$60,000.00

5-Year Total

$331,537.88

5-Year Projection (5% inflation)

Year 1$60,000.00
Year 2$63,000.00
Year 3$66,150.00
Year 4$69,457.50
Year 5$72,930.38

Use the Elder Care Cost Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

Families weighing long-term care for an aging relative face a wide and often confusing range of price tags. This tool lays those numbers side by side, drawing on projected 2026 data, so you can compare in-home care, adult day care, assisted living, and nursing home facilities across different states. Seeing the financial picture clearly is what makes informed planning possible.

Behind the estimate sit projected 2026 median costs, both daily and monthly, for each type of care, drawn from actuarial data and industry reporting on long-term care trends. Those baseline figures are then weighted by state-specific cost-of-living indices to localize the result. Total annual cost comes from multiplying the chosen care type's projected monthly median by 12, or its daily figure by 365, before applying the selected state's economic factor.

Treat these as median figures rather than fixed quotes: actual spending swings with the level of care a person needs, the amenities a particular facility offers, and even where within a state they live. The base estimates also leave out medications, personal supplies, and transportation, so those belong in your own tally. One thing families routinely miss is that care needs tend to grow over time, which is why building a cushion into the plan pays off.

Example: Comparing Elder Care in Florida for a Year

  1. 1 Input: Let's assume you're planning for a loved one needing Assisted Living care in Florida, starting in 2026. You've selected 'Assisted Living' and 'Florida' from the dropdown menus.
  2. 2 Calculation: Based on projected 2026 data, the median monthly cost for Assisted Living in Florida is estimated to be around $4,750. The calculator will multiply this by 12 months to get the annual cost. ($4,750 * 12 = $57,000).
  3. 3 Result: The estimated annual cost for Assisted Living in Florida for 2026 would be approximately $57,000.
  4. 4 Context: This $57,000 figure represents the median annual cost. In comparison, In-Home Aide services in Florida might average around $65,000 annually, while a private room in a Nursing Home could exceed $110,000. This comparison highlights the significant cost differences between care types and helps in budget allocation.

Source: CDC · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does in-home care cost per hour?
In-home aides cost $20-$35 per hour nationally. Full-time in-home care (44 hours/week) averages $5,000-$6,500 per month. Rates are higher in metro areas and for skilled nursing care.
How much does assisted living cost per month?
The national median cost for assisted living is approximately $5,000-$5,500 per month. Memory care units for dementia patients cost $6,000-$8,000/month. Costs vary dramatically by state and facility quality.
Does Medicare pay for elder care?
Medicare does not cover long-term custodial care like assisted living or most in-home aide services. It covers short-term skilled nursing (up to 100 days after hospitalization) and limited home health care. Medicaid may cover long-term care for eligible individuals.