Nursing Home Costs in 2026: What Families Pay
Quick Answer
The national median nursing home cost is $9,277/month ($111,325/year) for a semi-private room and $10,646/month ($127,750/year) for a private room, according to the 2024 Genworth/CareScout survey. Costs range from $5,808/month in Texas to $32,220/month in Alaska. Medicare covers up to 100 days post-hospitalization only.
The national median cost for a nursing home is $9,277 per month ($111,325 per year) for a semi-private room and $10,646 per month ($127,750 per year) for a private room, according to the 2024 Genworth/CareScout survey. These are among the largest expenses families face in elder care. Understanding the real costs — and what Medicare actually covers — is essential to planning.
What You're Actually Paying: Semi-Private vs. Private
Most nursing home residents live in semi-private rooms costing $9,277/month. Private rooms cost about 15% more at $10,646/month. Both include 24/7 nursing care, meals, and basic amenities. The 2024 Genworth/CareScout survey provides the most reliable data on nursing home costs nationwide.
Semi-private room: $9,277/month means families budget roughly $111,325 per year. This represents a 7% increase from 2023. Private room: $10,646/month equals $127,750 per year. Private rooms increased 9% year-over-year, slightly more than semi-private rooms. The private room increase is steeper, likely reflecting strong demand from families willing to pay for privacy and control over their environment.
What's Included in That $9,277–$10,646/Month?
Nursing home care is much more comprehensive than assisted living. The base rate typically covers 24/7 skilled nursing care, room and board, meals (3+ per day with therapeutic diets), basic medications and medication administration, wound care and basic medical procedures, laundry, housekeeping, activities, and utilities.
Often billed separately: Specialized rehabilitation (PT, OT, speech therapy beyond basic), incontinence supplies beyond standard, phone/television/internet, personal care items, guest meals, private duty nurse or aide, and outpatient medical appointments. Always ask for a complete fee schedule. Use the Kinporch cost calculator to estimate total costs in your area.
The Texas-to-Alaska Range: Why Costs Vary So Much
Nursing home costs vary dramatically by state. According to Genworth data for semi-private rooms, the lowest is Texas at $5,808/month (~$69,696/year) and the highest is Alaska at $32,220/month (~$386,640/year). This 5.5x difference reflects labor costs, cost of living, regulation differences, occupancy rates, and real estate costs. For nursing home costs in your specific state, check current data at CareScout.com/cost-of-care, or search facilities by state on Kinporch. See our state-by-state cost breakdown for more detail.
Medicare's 100-Day Benefit: What It Does (And Doesn't) Cover
Medicare Part A covers skilled nursing facility care for up to 100 days AFTER hospitalization (requires 3+ day hospital stay first). Days 1–20 are fully covered. Days 21–100 require you to pay coinsurance (approximately $200/day). After 100 days, you're responsible for the full cost.
Medicare does NOT cover custodial or long-term care, non-skilled care or assisted living, stays not preceded by a qualifying hospital stay, or permanent nursing home residence. This benefit is designed for short-term rehabilitation, not long-term care. Most long-term stays are private pay or Medicaid-covered. Read our full guide on does Medicare cover nursing home care for details.
The Cost Reality: Year-to-Year Increases
| Room Type | 2023 Median | 2024 Median | Dollar Increase | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-Private | $8,666 | $9,277 | +$611 | +7.1% |
| Private | $9,771 | $10,646 | +$875 | +9.0% |
These are significant increases. Over a 5-year stay, even a 7% annual increase compounds substantially: $9,277/month today becomes roughly $12,950/month in five years. Understanding where this money goes is important — see our cost breakdown analysis.
How to Budget for Nursing Home Costs
Short-term post-hospitalization rehabilitation: Medicare covers days 1–20 fully; you pay coinsurance (~$200/day) for days 21–100. An 80-day stay costs roughly $16,000 out-of-pocket after Medicare.
Long-term private pay (2–3 years): Semi-private at $9,277/month × 36 months = $333,972. Private at $10,646/month × 36 months = $382,848. Factor in 7% annual inflation for another 10–15%.
Medicaid-covered long-term care: Medicaid covers nursing home costs for those who qualify (income/asset limits vary by state). Families typically pay a monthly share of cost. See our Medicaid eligibility guide for details.
Payment Options: How Families Cover Nursing Home Costs
Private pay is most common for initial or short-term stays — families use savings, home equity, or investments. Medicare's 100-day benefit covers post-hospital rehabilitation with coinsurance for days 21–100. Medicaid covers long-term care for low-income seniors with state-varying eligibility. Long-term care insurance covers some or all costs if purchased before illness. VA benefits provide Aid and Attendance for eligible veterans. Many families use a combination approach: Medicare first, then transition to Medicaid once assets are depleted. Read our complete guide on how to pay for nursing home care.
Nursing Home vs. Assisted Living: The Cost-Care Tradeoff
| Care Type | Monthly Cost | 24/7 Medical Care | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assisted Living | $5,900 | No | Independent seniors needing ADL help |
| Nursing Home (Semi-Private) | $9,277 | Yes | Post-hospital rehab, chronic illness |
| Nursing Home (Private) | $10,646 | Yes | Same, with privacy preference |
| In-Home Care (Part-Time) | $1,500–$4,000 | No | Minimal care needs |
The assisted living/nursing home cost difference ($3,377/month) directly reflects the real expense of 24/7 medical staffing.
Finding Facilities and Current Pricing
Search nursing homes on Kinporch to see real costs from verified facilities in your area. Kinporch displays 59,346+ verified facilities with CMS quality ratings, inspection reports, and transparent pricing — with no referral fees.
Related reading:
- How Much Does Assisted Living Cost? 2026 Guide
- Where Your $9,277/Month Nursing Home Payment Goes
- How to Pay for Nursing Home Care in 2026
Compare nursing home costs and quality on Kinporch — with CMS data, verified pricing, and no referral fees for 59,346+ facilities nationwide.
Kinporch Editorial Team
The Kinporch Editorial Team researches and writes evidence-based guides to help families navigate senior care decisions. Our content is reviewed for accuracy and informed by CMS data covering 59,000+ facilities nationwide.
