The cost of long-term care in the U.S. has steadily risen since Genworth created its Cost of Care Survey in 2004. And this year has been no different. In fact, the pandemic has driven up cost even more, according to the survey.
Assisted living facilities saw the biggest increase. Over a single year, assisted-living facility rates rose by 6.15%, resulting in an annual national median cost of $51,600 per year.
The services of homemakers, those who assist in the home and have more of a hands-off role with errands, chores, etc., increased in cost by 4.44%, coming to an annual national median cost of $53,768. That was closely followed by home health aide services, which have more of a hands-on role with clients. These services saw a 4.35% increase in cost, rising to an annual national median of $54,912.
Private room nursing home rates increased by 3.57%, with an annual national median cost of $105,850, and semi-private nursing home rates jumped by 3.24% to an annual national median cost of $93,075. The one area that saw a decrease was adult day care, which declined by 1.33% to an annual national median cost of $19,240.
The least expensive care can be found in states in the Midwest and the western regions. It should be noted that Texas recorded the cheapest cost for semi-private room in nursing homes ($60,225 annually) and fourth for private room care ($76,650). It did not rank in the top 10 for assisted living care.
Following is a list of the 10 cheapest states, from highest to lowest, for the annual, monthly and daily costs for long-term care in an assisted-living facility. Also included in the rankings are the cost of private room nursing homes and semi-private room nursing homes in those states.
Genworth’s research included 435 cities and towns across all 50 states
10. Kentucky
The annual cost for assisted living in Kentucky is $44,385, the monthly cost is $3,699, and the daily charge is $122.
Care in a private room in a nursing home is much higher in the state, which ranked No. 16. The annual cost is $95,265, the monthly cost is $7,939, and the daily cost is $261.
The state ranked No. 21 for the cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home, with an annual cost of $87,965, a monthly cost of $7,330 and a daily cost of $241.
9. Idaho
The annual cost for assisted living in Idaho is $44,100, the monthly cost is $3,675, and the daily cost is $121.
Care in a nursing home is more than twice that of assisted living in the state. Its ranking at No.26 comes with an annual cost of $109,500 for a private room in a nursing home, a monthly cost of $9,125, and a daily cost of $300.
The state ranked No. 28 for the lowest cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home with an annual price tag of $104,025, a monthly cost of $8,669 and a daily cost of $285.
8. Louisiana
The annual cost for assisted living in Louisiana is $43,665, the monthly cost is $3,639, and the daily cost is $120.
Care in a private room in a nursing home is much higher in the state, which ranked No. 3. The annual cost of a private room in a nursing home, with an annual cost of $70,080, a monthly cost of $5,840, and a daily cost of $192.
The state ranked No. 4 for the cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home with an annual price tag of $66,430, a monthly cost of $5,536 and a daily cost of $182.
7. South Dakota
The annual cost for assisted living in South Dakota is $43,650, the monthly rate is 3,638, and the daily rate is $120.
The state ranked No. 12 for the cost of a private room in a nursing home, with an annual price tag of $90,246, a monthly cost of $7,521 and a daily cost of $247.
It ranked No. 13 for the cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home, with an annual price tag of $84,133, a monthly cost of $7,011 and a daily cost of $231.
6. Nevada
The annual cost for assisted living in Nevada is $43,140, the monthly cost is $3,595, and the daily cost is $118.
Nursing home care is nearly triple the cost of assisted living in the state. The state ranked No. 33 for the cost of a private room in a nursing home, with an annual price tag of $127,020, a monthly price tag of $10,585 and a daily price tag of $348.
It also ranked No. 33 for the cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home, with an annual cost of $111,143, a monthly cost of $9,262 and a daily cost of $305.
5. Arkansas
The annual cost for assisted living in Arkansas is $42,000, the monthly rate is 3,500, and the daily rate is $115.
The state ranked No. 5, right below Texas, for the cost of a private room in a nursing home, with an annual price tag of $78,475, a monthly cost of $6,540 and a daily cost of $215. In Texas, the annual cost is $76,650, monthly cost is $6,388 and daily cost is $210.
It also ranked No. 5 for the cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home, with an annual price tag of $71,175, a monthly cost of $5,931 and a daily cost of $195.
4. Georgia
The annual cost for assisted living in Georgia is $42,000, the monthly cost is $3,500, and the daily cost is $115.
The state ranked No. 11 for the cost of a private room in a nursing home, with an annual price tag of $86,082, a monthly price tag of $7,173 and a daily price tag of $236.
It also came in at No. 11 for the highest cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home, with an annual cost of $80,665, a monthly cost of $6,722 and a daily cost of $221.
3. Utah
The annual cost for assisted living in Utah is $40,800, the monthly cost is $3,400, and the daily cost is $112.
Care in a private room in a nursing home is much higher in the state, which ranked No. 22. The annual cost of a private room in a nursing home, with an annual cost of $100,375, a monthly cost of $8,365, and a daily cost of $275.
The state ranked No. 7 for the cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home with an annual price tag of $76,650, a monthly cost of $6,388 and a daily cost of $210.
2. Alabama
The annual cost for assisted living in Alabama is $37,800, the monthly cost is $3,150, and the daily cost is $104.
The state ranked No. 6 for the cost of a private room in a nursing home, with an annual price tag of $82,932, a monthly price tag of $6,911 and a daily price tag of $227.
It ranked No. 8 for the lowest cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home, with an annual cost of $78,475, a monthly cost of $6,540 and a daily cost of $215.
1. Missouri
The annual cost for assisted living in Missouri is $36,000, the monthly rate is 3,000, and the daily rate is $99.
Care in a private room nursing home in the state has the lowest price tag of all states. Its No. 1 ranking comes with annual price tag of $68,985, a monthly cost of $5,749, and a daily cost of $189.
It ranked No. 2, behind Texas, for the cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home, with an annual price tag of $60,955, a monthly cost of $5,080 and a daily cost of $167. The annual cost in Texas is $60,225, monthly is $5,019 and daily is $165.
