How much is a nursing home per month in 2026?

The national median cost of a nursing home in 2026 is approximately $9,700/month for a private room and $8,700/month for a semi-private room. That's $116,400/year and $104,400/year respectively. Costs range dramatically by state — from about $5,200/month in Oklahoma to over $16,000/month in Alaska.

Does Medicare pay for nursing home care?

Only for short-term rehabilitation, not long-term stays. Medicare covers the first 20 days at 100% in a skilled nursing facility after a qualifying 3-day hospital stay, days 21–100 with a $204.50/day copay, and nothing after day 100. For ongoing custodial care — which is what most nursing home residents need — Medicare pays zero.

How do most people pay for nursing homes?

Most people pay through a combination of private funds (savings, retirement accounts) initially and then Medicaid once they've spent down their assets to approximately $2,000. About 42% of all nursing home costs are paid by Medicaid. Only about 11% is covered by private long-term care insurance. Medicare covers roughly 8% (limited to short-term stays).

Nursing Home Costs in 2026: Average Prices by State & What to Expect

A nursing home provides 24-hour skilled nursing care for people who can no longer live independently. It’s the most expensive form of long-term care — and the one most people eventually need if they live long enough.

Quick answer: The national median nursing home cost in 2026 is $9,700/month for a private room ($116,400/year) and $8,700/month for a semi-private room ($104,400/year). At the average stay of 2–2.5 years, you’re looking at $209,000–$291,000 total. Medicare doesn’t cover long-term stays. Most people pay privately until they run out of money, then Medicaid takes over.

National Average Nursing Home Costs (2026)

Room Type	Daily Cost	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost
Semi-private room	$286	$8,700	$104,400
Private room	$319	$9,700	$116,400

Nursing Home Costs by State

State	Private Room (Annual)	Semi-Private (Annual)	Relative to National Average
Alabama	$80,000	$70,000	31% below
Alaska	$192,000	$172,000	65% above
Arizona	$98,000	$84,000	16% below
Arkansas	$78,000	$66,000	33% below
California	$148,000	$130,000	27% above
Colorado	$120,000	$106,000	3% above
Connecticut	$175,000	$160,000	50% above
Delaware	$128,000	$112,000	10% above
Florida	$110,000	$96,000	5% below
Georgia	$84,000	$74,000	28% below
Hawaii	$145,000	$130,000	25% above
Idaho	$108,000	$94,000	7% below
Illinois	$96,000	$84,000	18% below
Indiana	$96,000	$84,000	18% below
Iowa	$82,000	$72,000	30% below
Kansas	$80,000	$68,000	31% below
Kentucky	$96,000	$82,000	18% below
Louisiana	$72,000	$64,000	38% below
Maine	$128,000	$112,000	10% above
Maryland	$126,000	$110,000	8% above
Massachusetts	$165,000	$148,000	42% above
Michigan	$108,000	$98,000	7% below
Minnesota	$126,000	$112,000	8% above
Mississippi	$78,000	$68,000	33% below
Missouri	$74,000	$62,000	36% below
Montana	$108,000	$94,000	7% below
Nebraska	$96,000	$84,000	18% below
Nevada	$108,000	$94,000	7% below
New Hampshire	$140,000	$124,000	20% above
New Jersey	$155,000	$138,000	33% above
New Mexico	$96,000	$82,000	18% below
New York	$160,000	$140,000	37% above
North Carolina	$96,000	$84,000	18% below
North Dakota	$108,000	$96,000	7% below
Ohio	$100,000	$88,000	14% below
Oklahoma	$70,000	$62,000	40% below
Oregon	$128,000	$114,000	10% above
Pennsylvania	$128,000	$112,000	10% above
Rhode Island	$135,000	$120,000	16% above
South Carolina	$88,000	$78,000	24% below
South Dakota	$96,000	$84,000	18% below
Tennessee	$84,000	$74,000	28% below
Texas	$76,000	$65,000	35% below
Utah	$96,000	$84,000	18% below
Vermont	$140,000	$125,000	20% above
Virginia	$108,000	$96,000	7% below
Washington	$138,000	$122,000	19% above
West Virginia	$108,000	$96,000	7% below
Wisconsin	$116,000	$102,000	Same as average
Wyoming	$108,000	$96,000	7% below

What’s Included in Nursing Home Costs

Standard Inclusions

Service	Details
Room	Semi-private (shared) or private
Meals	3 meals plus snacks daily, dietary accommodations
24/7 nursing care	RNs, LPNs, and CNAs around the clock
Medication administration	Nurses manage and dispense all medications
Personal care	Bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting assistance
Rehabilitation therapy	Physical, occupational, and speech therapy (as prescribed)
Social activities	Group activities, outings, entertainment
Housekeeping and laundry	Room cleaning, linen changes, personal laundry
Medical equipment	Standard wheelchair, hospital bed, walker
Emergency response	24/7 emergency medical response

Common Extra Charges

Extra	Typical Cost
Private telephone	$30–$50/month
Cable/internet	$40–$100/month
Beauty/barber services	$15–$50/visit
Special dietary supplements	$50–$200/month
Non-formulary medications	Varies by drug
Specialized wound care	$100–$500/month
Dental care	$50–$300/visit
Vision care	$50–$200/visit
Private-duty aide (additional)	$25–$35/hour
Personal escort to appointments	$50–$150/trip

Nursing Home vs. Other Care Options

Factor	Nursing Home	Assisted Living	Home Care (44 hrs/wk)	Memory Care
Annual cost (national median)	$104,000–$116,000	$64,000	$61,000–$68,000	$72,000–$96,000
24/7 medical care	Yes	Limited	No (unless arranged)	Limited to moderate
Skilled nursing	Yes	No (visiting only)	Optional	Some facilities
Best for	Severe disability, complex medical needs	Moderate care needs	Lower care needs, strong preference for home	Dementia/Alzheimer’s
Independence	Very limited	Moderate	Highest	Limited
Medicare coverage	Yes (100 days post-hospital)	No	Home health only (if skilled)	No

How to Pay for Nursing Home Care

Payment Method	Covers What	Requirements
Private pay	Any facility, any room type	Have savings/income to cover $8,700–$9,700/month
Long-term care insurance	Per policy terms	Must have purchased before needing care
Medicaid	Semi-private room at Medicaid-accepting facilities	Assets under ~$2,000, income under ~$2,829/month
Medicare	First 100 days after qualifying hospital stay	3-day hospital stay, skilled care needed
VA benefits	VA nursing homes + Aid & Attendance pension	Qualifying veteran or surviving spouse
Hybrid life/LTC policy	Per policy terms	Must have purchased before needing care

Medicare Skilled Nursing Coverage

Days	What Medicare Pays	What You Pay
Days 1–20	100% of approved costs	$0
Days 21–100	All costs above copay amount	$204.50/day copay (2026)
Days 101+	$0	100% — You pay everything

Requirements: A qualifying 3-day inpatient hospital stay, admission to a Medicare-certified skilled nursing facility within 30 days, and a need for skilled care (not just custodial care).

How Long People Stay in Nursing Homes

Duration	Percentage of Residents
Under 3 months	~25% (rehabilitation stays)
3–6 months	~15%
6 months – 1 year	~15%
1–2 years	~15%
2–3 years	~10%
3–5 years	~10%
5+ years	~10%
Median stay	~2.2 years (for long-term residents)

Note: About 25% of nursing home admissions are short-term rehabilitation stays (post-surgery, post-stroke) covered by Medicare for up to 100 days. Long-term custodial care residents average 2–3 years.

Factors That Affect Cost

Factor	Impact
Location (state/city)	40% below to 65% above national average
Room type	Private costs $100–$150/more per day than semi-private
Care level	Higher acuity = higher daily rate (ventilator care, IV therapy)
Facility quality	5-star facilities charge 10–30% premium
Specialized care	Dementia wings, behavioral health = higher rates
Urban vs. rural	Urban typically 10–25% higher than rural
For-profit vs. nonprofit	For-profit often 5–15% higher

How to Evaluate Nursing Home Quality

Resource	What It Shows
Medicare.gov Care Compare	Star ratings (1–5) for overall quality, health inspections, staffing, quality measures
State inspection reports	Deficiencies, complaints, enforcement actions
Staffing ratios	RN hours per resident per day (goal: 0.75+ hours)
Resident and family reviews	Real experiences (take with grain of salt)
Ombudsman reports	Complaints filed and resolved

Questions to Ask on a Tour

Question	What to Look For
What is the daily rate?	Get exact cost in writing, including all add-ons
What is the staff-to-resident ratio?	At least 1 CNA per 8–10 residents during the day
What percentage of residents are Medicaid?	If you may convert, ensure they accept Medicaid
Can I stay if I convert to Medicaid?	Some facilities discharge residents who run out of private funds
What is the hospital readmission rate?	Lower is better (national average ~23%)
Are there additional charges?	Get a complete list of extras beyond daily rate
What rehabilitation services are available?	PT, OT, speech therapy on site?

The Medicaid Conversion Reality

Phase	What Happens
1. Private pay	Enter nursing home paying full private rate ($9,700/month)
2. Spend-down	Use savings, sell assets (except home if spouse lives there) to pay for care
3. Medicaid application	When assets reach ~$2,000, apply for Medicaid
4. Medicaid coverage	Medicaid pays nursing home directly at Medicaid rate (often lower than private rate)
5. Your income	Nearly all income goes to nursing home; you keep ~$50–$100/month for personal needs

Important: Not all nursing homes accept Medicaid patients. Those that do often have waiting lists. If you enter a facility as private-pay, confirm they will keep you after converting to Medicaid.

Bottom Line

Nursing home care costs $104,000–$116,000/year nationally and is the most expensive form of long-term care. Medicare only covers the first 100 days (and only after a hospital stay). Most people pay privately until savings run out, then Medicaid takes over. The best protection: plan before you need care — whether through long-term care insurance, a hybrid policy, substantial savings, or early Medicaid planning with an elder law attorney.