What this site is
SeniorCareCalc.org is a free calculator and research resource that helps families compare the cost of home care versus assisted living across all 50 states. The core tool calculates the exact crossover point — the number of weekly home care hours at which assisted living becomes cheaper.
We built this because most resources on this topic are operated by placement agencies or referral services that earn money when families choose specific facilities. We don't. Our analysis uses publicly available data from the CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey and is designed to give honest numbers without steering families toward any particular care option.
Our data source
All cost data comes from the CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey, conducted July through November 2025 and published in early 2026. CareScout (formerly Genworth Financial) has conducted this survey annually since 2004 — it is the most comprehensive and most widely cited annual study of long-term care costs in the United States.
National medians used in this calculator: $35/hour for non-medical home care and $6,200/month for assisted living. State-level medians are sourced from CareScout's published state data tables.
Editorial independence policy
SeniorCareCalc.org does not accept referral fees from assisted living facilities, home care agencies, or placement services. We do not earn commissions when families choose specific care providers. Where we earn revenue through Google AdSense advertising or insurance affiliate partnerships, those relationships do not influence the cost data or calculator outputs displayed on this site. Affiliate relationships are disclosed on all pages where they appear.
How to use this site
Start with the cost calculator on the homepage. Select your state, adjust the slider to the hours of care your family expects to need, and the tool will show you the monthly cost of each option plus the crossover point specific to your state's rates.
For deeper context, our articles cover the full cost comparison, the factors that push families past the crossover faster than expected, and VA benefits that may offset costs for veterans and surviving spouses.
Limitations
This calculator provides estimates based on state medians. Your actual costs will depend on the specific provider you use, the level of care needed, and your location within the state. Urban markets typically run 5–20% above state medians; rural markets can run below. Always get written cost itemizations from specific providers before making decisions.
This site provides information for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or medical advice.
Contact
For data corrections or factual questions: seniorcarecalc.org is operated independently. For data corrections, please reference the specific figure and its source so we can verify promptly.