Assisted living costs $4,475 to $9,610 per month in 2026
Assisted living costs $4,475 to $9,610 per month in 2026, based on state medians. The national median is $6,313 per month, says SeniorLiving.org. CareScout, which runs the Genworth survey, put the 2025 median at $6,200 per month, or $74,400 a year. Your price depends on the state, the size of the room, and how much help you need each day. Fees for move-in and extra care can add to the bill.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| CareScout | CareScout, which runs the Genworth survey, lists a 2025 national median of $6,200 per month, or $74,400 a year. |
| The Senior List | The Senior List lists a $6,200 median, from about $4,475 per month in Texas to $7,361 in Massachusetts. |
| SeniorLiving.org | SeniorLiving.org lists a 2026 median of $6,313 per month, from $4,715 in Mississippi to $12,000 in Hawaii. |
Assisted living cost by source and state
| Measure | Monthly cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| National median, 2025 | $6,200 | CareScout |
| National median, 2026 | $6,313 | SeniorLiving.org |
| Lower-cost state example, Texas | $4,475 | The Senior List |
| Higher-cost state example, Massachusetts | $7,361 | The Senior List |
| Lowest-cost state, Mississippi | $4,715 | SeniorLiving.org |
| Massachusetts in 2026 | $9,610 | SeniorLiving.org |
| Highest-cost state, Hawaii | $12,000 | SeniorLiving.org |
| Care services fee, starting at | $150 | The Senior List |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| State | Prices change a lot by place. The Senior List shows about $4,475 in Texas and $7,361 in Massachusetts, and SeniorLiving.org shows $4,715 in Mississippi and $12,000 in Hawaii. |
| Level of care | Needing more help with bathing or pills raises the fee. The Senior List says care fees start near $150 a month and can add several hundred dollars. |
| Memory care | Care for memory loss costs more because it needs extra staff and safety features. SeniorLiving.org says memory care can add 10 to 15 percent to the monthly price. |
| Room size and type | A private apartment costs more than a shared room. Bigger units also push the monthly rent up, so ask for the price of each room type. |
| One-time fees | Many places charge a move-in fee. The Senior List lists $1,000 to $5,000, paid once before the monthly bills start, so add it to your first month budget. |
What the price includes
The monthly price usually covers a room or apartment, meals, housekeeping, and basic help with daily tasks. Many places also include activities and rides. Extra care for bathing, pills, or memory loss often costs more. The Senior List says rent runs near $5,000 to $6,000, and care fees start near $150 a month. Move-in fees of $1,000 to $5,000 are paid once. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Assisted living communities bill you. They are private companies or nonprofits, and each one sets its own price. Most bill once a month. The bill often has a base rent for the room and meals, plus a care fee based on a needs check. Some places use set care levels, and others charge for each task. You may also pay a one-time move-in fee. Because each place sets its own rates, two homes in the same town can charge very different prices. Ask for the full fee sheet before you tour a second time.
When you need this
Many families look at assisted living when a person needs daily help but not full nursing care. Signs include missed pills, falls, trouble with bathing or cooking, and being alone too much. A doctor can check what level of help is safe. Start the search early, because good places can have wait lists and a move takes time to plan.
How to judge your quote
- Ask for every monthly fee and one-time fee in writing.
- Ask what each care level costs and how often it is reviewed.
- Compare the price with the state numbers in this guide.
- Ask how much the price can rise each year and how much notice you get.
- Compare the total with the range above: $4,475 to $9,610 per month for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Compare at least three communities in your area. Prices for the same level of care can differ by hundreds of dollars a month, so get each quote in writing.
- Look at towns and states with lower prices. The Senior List says Missouri, Alabama, and Utah have median costs under $5,000 a month.
- Ask for a written care assessment before you sign, so you pay only for the help you need and not for a higher care tier.
- Ask if the move-in fee can be lowered or waived. It is paid once and can run $1,000 to $5,000, so even a small cut helps.
- Check for help that lowers the bill, such as long-term care insurance, veterans benefits, or your state Medicaid waiver program. Ask each community which ones it takes.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from CareScout, The Senior List and SeniorLiving.org. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does assisted living cost per month?
The national median is $6,200 per month in 2025, says CareScout, and $6,313 in 2026, says SeniorLiving.org. State medians in the sources we checked run from $4,475 to $9,610.
What is the cheapest state for assisted living?
SeniorLiving.org lists Mississippi at $4,715 per month, then Alabama at $4,851 and Idaho at $4,880. The Senior List shows about $4,475 in Texas.
What is the most expensive state?
SeniorLiving.org lists Hawaii at $12,000 per month, then Alaska at $10,819 and Massachusetts at $9,610. Prices are far lower in states like Mississippi.
Does memory care cost more?
Yes. SeniorLiving.org says memory care can raise the price by 10 to 15 percent. Ask each place for its own memory care rate in writing.
Are there fees besides the monthly rent?
Yes. The Senior List says move-in fees run $1,000 to $5,000, paid once. Care services start near $150 a month and can add several hundred dollars for therapy or pill help.