Estimate long-term care costs by facility type — nursing home, assisted living, home health aide, or adult day care — with inflation projections.
Long-term care encompasses a range of services for people who need assistance with daily activities due to chronic illness, disability, or cognitive impairment. Costs vary dramatically by the type of care, geographic location, and level of assistance required. Understanding current and projected costs is essential for planning — whether through insurance, savings, or a combination.
This calculator estimates annual long-term care costs for four major care types: nursing home (private/semi-private), assisted living, home health aide, and adult day care. It also projects future costs using a customizable inflation rate, so you can see what care might cost when you actually need it.
National median costs (2025 Genworth survey data) are used as defaults. Actual costs vary significantly by state and metropolitan area. Whether you are a beginner or experienced professional, this free online tool provides instant, reliable results without manual computation. By automating the calculation, you save time and reduce the risk of costly errors in your planning and decision-making process.
The median annual cost of a private nursing home room exceeds $116,000 nationally, and costs are rising 3-5% per year. Most people underestimate future long-term care expenses. This calculator helps you project realistic costs at the age you'll most likely need care, giving you the information to make informed insurance and savings decisions.
Future Annual Cost = Current Annual Cost × (1 + Inflation Rate)^(Years Until Need) Total Lifetime Cost = Σ from year 0 to (Duration − 1) of [Future Annual Cost × (1 + Inflation Rate)^year] Years Until Need = Age at Need − Current Age
Result: $845,958 total projected cost
At 4% annual inflation over 25 years, the current $108,405/year (semi-private nursing home) becomes $288,769/year. Over 3 years of care (with continuing inflation), total cost is approximately $845,958.
About 70% of people turning 65 will need some form of long-term care during their lifetime. With costs already exceeding $100,000/year for nursing home care and rising faster than general inflation, the financial risk is substantial. Planning early — in your 50s or 60s — gives you the most options.
Adult day care ($22,000/year) offers the most affordable option for families where a caregiver is available evenings and weekends. Home health aides ($75,500/year full-time) allow aging in place. Assisted living ($64,200/year) provides a community setting with daily support. Nursing homes ($108,000-$117,000/year) offer the highest level of care for complex medical needs.
Location dramatically affects costs. Rural areas are typically 20-40% less expensive than urban areas. States like Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Missouri tend to have the lowest costs, while Alaska, Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts are the most expensive. Consider where you'll likely receive care when planning.
Nursing home care is the most expensive, with a private room costing a national median of $116,800/year and a semi-private room at $108,405/year (2025). High-cost states like Connecticut and Alaska can exceed $180,000/year for a private room.
No. Medicare covers only short-term skilled nursing (up to 100 days after a hospital stay, with copays after day 20). It does not cover custodial/personal care, which is the majority of long-term care. Medicaid covers long-term care but only after you've spent down nearly all assets.
The average long-term care need is about 2.5 years, but this average masks wide variation. About 20% of people need care for 5+ years. Women average 3.7 years due to longer life expectancy, while men average 2.2 years.
Assisted living provides help with daily activities (bathing, dressing, meals) in a residential setting but doesn't provide 24-hour skilled nursing. Nursing homes provide round-the-clock medical care and supervision for more complex needs. Assisted living costs roughly half of nursing home care.
Yes. Home health aides provide personal care at home, and this is the preferred option for many. A full-time home health aide costs around $75,500/year nationally. Part-time care (e.g., 20 hours/week) is proportionally less. Home care allows aging in place but may not be sufficient for advanced needs.
Long-term care costs have been increasing 3-5% annually, somewhat faster than general inflation. Nursing home costs have risen even faster in recent years due to staffing shortages and regulatory requirements. A 4% inflation assumption is commonly used for planning.