What Does Long-Term Care Actually Cost Near You?
Use the calculator below to explore care costs in your area, powered by data from CareScout's Cost of Care Survey.
How to Use It
Enter your location.
Choose the type of care you want to look into.
See what families near you are typically paying.
Why This Number Matters More Than People Realize
Most families don't think about long-term care costs until they're in the middle of a crisis. That's when the numbers can feel overwhelming.
Here's something important to know: Medicare covers very little of this. It may help with short-term medical services, but the day-to-day support your parent might need (help with bathing, dressing, meals, getting around, or managing memory challenges) is almost always paid out of pocket.
Looking up local costs now, before you need them, gives you something priceless: time to make a real plan.
It can help you:
Understand what different types of care actually cost in your area
Compare options and find what fits your family's situation
Figure out whether long-term care insurance makes sense
Start honest conversations with your family before a health event forces them
Understanding Your Options
Home Care
This is the choice that lets your loved one stay right where they want to be — at home. A caregiver comes in to help with meals, housekeeping, errands, personal care, and companionship. For many families, this is the first option they explore, and often the one their parents feel most comfortable with.
Home Health Care
A step up from home care, home health care involves trained medical professionals providing services like medication management, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or skilled nursing — all in the comfort of home. It's more clinical in nature, often prescribed by a doctor.
Assisted Living
Assisted living communities offer housing, meals, activities, and hands-on support, all in one place. Your parent gets their own space and independence while having help available when needed. This option often works well for older adults who no longer want the responsibilities of maintaining a home, or who would benefit from more social connection.
Memory Care
Memory care communities are built specifically for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. The environment is designed for safety and routine, and the staff is trained to provide compassionate, specialized support. Costs are typically higher than assisted living because of the level of supervision and care involved — but for families navigating dementia, it can be an enormous relief.
Nursing Home Care
Nursing homes provide 24/7 medical supervision and are best suited for individuals with significant, ongoing health needs. This is typically the highest-cost option, and it's usually considered when other levels of care are no longer enough.
Common Questions
How reliable are these cost estimates?
The calculator draws on CareScout's Cost of Care Survey, which is used by families, financial planners, and healthcare professionals across the country. Actual costs will vary by provider, location, and the level of care your family needs — but these figures give you a solid, honest starting point.
Does Medicare cover long-term care?
In most cases, no. Medicare may cover short-term skilled nursing or rehab services, but extended help with daily living (which is what most families actually need) is generally not covered. That's worth knowing early.
What's the most affordable option?
It depends entirely on your parent's needs. Part-time home care is often the lowest-cost starting point. But for some families, an assisted living community can actually be more cost-effective than piecing together extensive in-home support. The calculator can help you compare.
How can families manage these costs?
There's no single answer, but families often combine a few different approaches: planning ahead, exploring long-term care insurance, looking into veteran benefits, researching Medicaid eligibility, comparing providers, and sharing caregiving responsibilities. Starting early gives you more of these options.
When should we start thinking about this?
Earlier than you think. Many families wish they'd had this conversation a few years before care was actually needed. The earlier you start, the more flexibility and peace of mind you'll have.
Start Here, While You Have Time
Planning for a parent's care isn't easy to think about. But doing it now, when things are calm, is one of the most loving things you can do for your family.
Use the calculator above to see what care looks like in your area. Then save this page — or share it with a sibling or spouse who might need it too.
The earlier you start, the more choices you'll have.