Enter your state, care type, and financial picture. Get an instant estimate of monthly costs, how long your savings will last, and which funding options apply to your situation.
We'll use this to calculate costs specific to your state and estimate which funding options you may qualify for.
Select the most likely care setting. You can change this later to compare options.
This stays private — we use it only to calculate how long savings will last and which funding options may apply.
| Care type | Monthly cost in your state | 3-year total |
|---|
📋 Want a complete funding walkthrough? Our How to Pay for Long-Term Care guide covers every funding source in plain English — Medicaid spend-down, VA benefits, reverse mortgages, and more.
Cost data based on the 2026 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, A Place for Mom 2026 data, and Medicaid Planning Assistance state data. Estimates are medians — actual costs vary by location, provider, and level of care needed. This tool is for educational planning purposes only.
Long-term care costs vary enormously — by state, by care type, and by the specific provider. But understanding the ranges helps families plan with confidence rather than guessing. Here's what the data shows for 2026.
These figures represent national medians from the 2026 Genworth Cost of Care Survey and A Place for Mom annual data. Actual costs in your area may be higher or lower.
| Care Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing home (semi-private) | $9,342 | $112,100 | $336,300 |
| Nursing home (private room) | $11,294 | $135,500 | $406,600 |
| Assisted living | $5,900 | $70,800 | $212,400 |
| Memory care | $7,200 | $86,400 | $259,200 |
| In-home care (44 hrs/week) | $6,500 | $78,000 | $234,000 |
Alaska has the highest long-term care costs in the country — nursing homes average over $32,000 per month. Louisiana sits at the opposite end, around $6,800 per month for the same level of care. The difference comes down to labor markets, cost of living, state Medicaid reimbursement rates, and local competition among providers.
This is why using a state-specific estimate matters. A family in California planning around the national average of $9,342/month would significantly underestimate their actual costs — California nursing homes run closer to $14,000–$16,000/month in most metro areas.
Not sure how to fund these costs? GoldenCare's specialists help families compare LTC insurance options across multiple carriers — and they'll tell you honestly if insurance makes sense for your situation. Free, no-pressure consultation.
The calculator above gives you a useful baseline — but treat it as a starting point, not a final number. A few things to keep in mind as you plan:
Care duration is unpredictable. The average long-term care need is about three years, but roughly 20% of people need care for five years or more. Cognitive conditions like Alzheimer's can stretch care needs to 8–10 years. Planning for the average is fine, but knowing the range is important.
Costs inflate over time. Long-term care costs have historically risen 3–5% per year, faster than general inflation. A cost of $9,000/month today could be $12,000–$14,000/month in ten years. LTC insurance policies with inflation protection riders are specifically designed to account for this.
Most families use multiple funding sources. Very few families pay entirely from savings or rely entirely on Medicaid. The most common approach is a combination: private savings for the first few years, LTC insurance to cover a portion, and Medicaid planning for the longer term if needed.