Assisted Living Costs by State in 2026
Assisted living pricing varies more by geography than by facility brand. This guide gives you the state-median range for assisted living in 2026, the factors that push a specific facility above or below the median, and how to pressure-test a quoted price.
State-by-state monthly cost ranges
These numbers come from our annual pricing reference, blending AHCANCAL medians, Genworth Cost of Care data, and BLS regional price parities. Read the full methodology in our Editorial Standards.
National median (low end)
$5,100/mo
Most affordable state
Missouri
from $3,500/mo
Most expensive state
Connecticut
up to $9,400/mo
51 states
| Annual range | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $4,000 | $4,500 | $48,000 – $54,000 |
| Alaska | $7,900 | $9,200 | $94,800 – $110,400 |
| Arizona | $4,500 | $5,400 | $54,000 – $64,800 |
| Arkansas | $3,600 | $4,100 | $43,200 – $49,200 |
| California | $6,400 | $7,900 | $76,800 – $94,800 |
| Colorado | $5,400 | $6,400 | $64,800 – $76,800 |
| Connecticut | $8,400 | $9,400 | $100,800 – $112,800 |
| Delaware | $6,400 | $7,400 | $76,800 – $88,800 |
| District of Columbia | $7,400 | $8,400 | $88,800 – $100,800 |
| Florida | $5,400 | $6,100 | $64,800 – $73,200 |
| Georgia | $4,100 | $4,800 | $49,200 – $57,600 |
| Hawaii | $7,900 | $8,900 | $94,800 – $106,800 |
| Idaho | $4,800 | $5,600 | $57,600 – $67,200 |
| Illinois | $4,500 | $5,400 | $54,000 – $64,800 |
| Indiana | $4,300 | $5,000 | $51,600 – $60,000 |
| Iowa | $4,000 | $4,600 | $48,000 – $55,200 |
| Kansas | $4,000 | $4,500 | $48,000 – $54,000 |
| Kentucky | $4,300 | $5,000 | $51,600 – $60,000 |
| Louisiana | $3,600 | $4,300 | $43,200 – $51,600 |
| Maine | $6,100 | $7,100 | $73,200 – $85,200 |
| Maryland | $6,100 | $6,900 | $73,200 – $82,800 |
| Massachusetts | $7,400 | $8,600 | $88,800 – $103,200 |
| Michigan | $5,100 | $5,800 | $61,200 – $69,600 |
| Minnesota | $5,600 | $6,600 | $67,200 – $79,200 |
| Mississippi | $3,800 | $4,300 | $45,600 – $51,600 |
| Missouri | $3,500 | $4,000 | $42,000 – $48,000 |
| Montana | $5,000 | $5,800 | $60,000 – $69,600 |
| Nebraska | $4,600 | $5,300 | $55,200 – $63,600 |
| Nevada | $5,100 | $5,900 | $61,200 – $70,800 |
| New Hampshire | $6,900 | $7,900 | $82,800 – $94,800 |
| New Jersey | $6,900 | $7,800 | $82,800 – $93,600 |
| New Mexico | $4,600 | $5,300 | $55,200 – $63,600 |
| New York | $7,300 | $8,300 | $87,600 – $99,600 |
| North Carolina | $4,500 | $5,100 | $54,000 – $61,200 |
| North Dakota | $5,600 | $6,400 | $67,200 – $76,800 |
| Ohio | $4,600 | $5,300 | $55,200 – $63,600 |
| Oklahoma | $3,500 | $4,000 | $42,000 – $48,000 |
| Oregon | $5,900 | $6,900 | $70,800 – $82,800 |
| Pennsylvania | $5,800 | $6,800 | $69,600 – $81,600 |
| Rhode Island | $6,400 | $7,300 | $76,800 – $87,600 |
| South Carolina | $4,100 | $4,800 | $49,200 – $57,600 |
| South Dakota | $4,600 | $5,300 | $55,200 – $63,600 |
| Tennessee | $4,100 | $4,600 | $49,200 – $55,200 |
| Texas | $3,800 | $4,800 | $45,600 – $57,600 |
| Utah | $4,500 | $5,300 | $54,000 – $63,600 |
| Vermont | $6,400 | $7,400 | $76,800 – $88,800 |
| Virginia | $5,000 | $5,800 | $60,000 – $69,600 |
| Washington | $6,100 | $7,300 | $73,200 – $87,600 |
| West Virginia | $5,600 | $6,400 | $67,200 – $76,800 |
| Wisconsin | $5,100 | $5,900 | $61,200 – $70,800 |
| Wyoming | $5,300 | $6,100 | $63,600 – $73,200 |
Why pricing varies within a state
- Metro area. San Francisco, New York, and Boston run 20–50% above their state median. Rural areas often sit at or below the median.
- Care level. Most facilities charge a base rate plus "levels of care" that reflect how much daily help a resident needs. A level 3 or 4 assessment can add $1,000–$3,000 per month over base.
- Apartment size. Studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments have distinct rates. Some facilities charge double occupancy (two residents in one unit) at a reduced rate per person.
- Amenities and services. Memory care wings, on-site rehab, private dining, and salon services typically bundle into the rate; high-end communities unbundle them as premiums.
- Entrance and community fees. One-time fees of $2,000–$10,000 are common. Some CCRCs charge entry deposits measured in hundreds of thousands.
How to pressure-test a quoted price
- Ask for the all-in rate including community fees and the level-of-care assessment.
- Ask for the rate-change history over the past three years.
- Ask what triggers a level-of-care increase and how you're notified.
- Ask whether Medicaid conversion is allowed if funds run out.
- Ask for the contract's termination clause and 30-day notice terms.