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    Long term care costs by state: 11 states compared

    The same private nursing home room costs $196,370 a year in Hawaii and $85,045 in Texas, a spread of $111,325 for identical care. We compiled the latest Genworth and CareScout survey medians for every state where Lara Goulson is licensed, so families comparing states, planning a move, or pricing coverage can see the real numbers side by side.

    Annual median cost of care, all 11 states

    Sorted by private nursing home room, most to least expensive. Each state name links to that state's full guide. Genworth and CareScout Cost of Care Survey, 2024 medians.

    StateHome health aideAssisted livingNursing home, semi privateNursing home, private
    Hawaii$97,240$135,735$181,040$196,370
    New York$77,792$75,600$176,660$186,698
    California$89,232$88,200$140,343$182,135
    Nevada$86,944$73,320$134,503$153,483
    Colorado$96,096$70,521$120,450$139,795
    Michigan$77,792$72,480$127,750$138,883
    Florida$68,640$63,885$124,100$138,700
    Idaho$76,648$55,200$120,815$128,480
    Arizona$82,368$76,446$91,250$125,925
    Arkansas$59,488$56,688$85,775$92,528
    Texas$68,640$63,000$65,700$85,045

    What stands out in the data

    • Hawaii is the most expensive state we serve on every measure, with assisted living alone at $135,735 a year, nearly double the next state.
    • Texas and Arkansas are the two most affordable for nursing home care, and Texas costs less than half of what Californians pay. Idaho is the cheapest for assisted living at $55,200.
    • New York and California each cross $180,000 a year for a private room, which is why hybrid policies and partnership program protection matter most in high cost states.
    • A home health aide runs $59,000 to $97,000 a year everywhere we checked, so aging at home is a six figure plan in every state, not a budget alternative.
    • Moving states in retirement can change lifetime care exposure by more than a million dollars over a decade, which is worth knowing before you pick where to retire.

    Where these numbers come from

    Every figure is the state median from the Genworth and CareScout Cost of Care Survey, 2024 edition, the same source cited on each of our individual state guides. Where the survey publishes monthly medians we annualized at 12 months, following the survey's own convention. Costs are medians, so half of providers in a state charge more. Medicare does not pay for ongoing custodial long term care in any state, which is exactly why these numbers belong in your retirement planning.

    Lara Goulson compares long term care and hybrid policies across all 11 of these states at no cost: (818) 472-5484.

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    Questions about long term care costs

    Among the 11 states we serve, Texas has the lowest nursing home costs at about $85,045 a year for a private room, with Arkansas close behind at $92,528. Home care in both states also runs well below the national pattern. The full Texas and Arkansas guides break down each care type.

    Hawaii, by a wide margin. A private nursing home room in Hawaii runs about $196,370 a year and assisted living about $135,735, the highest figures in our 11 state comparison. New York and California follow, both above $180,000 a year for a private room.

    No. Medicare covers only short skilled nursing stays after a qualifying hospital stay, not ongoing help with daily living. That gap is what long term care insurance and hybrid life policies with care riders are designed to fill, and premiums depend heavily on the state and your age when you apply.

    Price coverage for your state

    Send a note with your state and age range and Lara will show you what coverage actually costs, usually the same day.

    By submitting this form, you agree that a licensed insurance agent may contact you by phone, email, or text message regarding your insurance options.

    Licensed in 11 states · 5.0 rated on Google · No cost to work with you

    We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 18 organizations which offer 233 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States Government or the federal Medicare program. This website is a solicitation for insurance. Goulson Insurance Services Inc., CA Business Entity License #6020069. Lara Goulson, CA License #0E69969, NPN 8407942.