Assisted Living Costs By State

As the United States' population continues to age, the demand for effective, compassionate, assisted living communities is at an all-time high. With over half of Americans over the age of 65 likely to need some form of care during their lives, assisted living communities serve as a lifeline, providing essential care to those who cannot, or choose not to, live independently. 

As the demand for assisted living services increases, understanding the costs involved in assisted living becomes increasingly important. Throughout the United States, the costs can vary significantly depending on the state, the level of care, and the array of services provided.

Our data unveils some interesting insights:

• The District of Columbia ranks as the most expensive state for assisted living, with an estimated annual cost of $83,730. Meanwhile, Missouri pitches in as the least expensive state, with around $36,000 annually.
• It's interesting to note that the top five expensive states for assisted living (District of Columbia, Alaska, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Jersey) are spread across the country's eastern, western and northern regions, suggesting there is not a simple geographical pattern with regard to high costs.
• Southern states, including Oklahoma ($46,260), Arkansas ($45,120), Nevada ($45,000), Louisiana ($44,979), South Carolina ($43,338), Georgia ($42,420), Alabama ($42,030), and Mississippi ($42,000), tend to have comparably lower annual costs for assisted living.
• Despite having a lower median cost for assisted living, notably, southern states have fluctuated healthcare systems, meaning that the cost doesn’t necessarily equate to a higher standard of care. Quality and cost of care vary widely amongst these states.
• Midwestern states such as North Dakota ($40,695) and South Dakota ($40,200) have significantly lower costs than coastal states, making them an affordable choice for seniors who seek assisted care.