What will care for Mom or Dad actually cost in 2026?
Free cost calculators and plain-English guides for assisted living, home care and nursing homes, by state, with no signup needed.
The cost-of-care calculator
This is the working heart of the site, try it. Pick a care type, a state and a level of help, and the estimate updates instantly. Figures reflect 2026 published cost surveys.
Estimates only, actual quotes vary by community, city and care assessment. This calculator gives you a planning range, not a quote.
Care options, side by side
Below the calculator, the homepage compares the main options so families can see how the choices stack up.
| Care option | Best for | Sample monthly range* |
|---|---|---|
| Independent living | Active seniors who want community and no chores | ~$2,800 – $4,200 |
| Assisted living | Help with bathing, medication, meals | ~$4,600 – $6,900 |
| Memory care | Dementia or Alzheimer’s, secured setting | ~$6,500 – $10,400 |
| Home care (part-time) | Staying home with a visiting carer | ~$2,600 – $5,200 |
| Nursing home | 24-hour skilled nursing | ~$8,900 – $10,600 |
*Ranges based on 2026 industry cost surveys (CareScout, A Place for Mom). Actual prices vary by state, city and community.
Assisted living costs by state
2026 monthly medians for every state and DC. Search, then select a state to load it in the calculator above, or read the full guide where one is published.
2026 monthly medians. Sources: 2025-2026 industry cost surveys (CareScout, A Place for Mom).
Get exact local pricing, free for families
Send the 30-second form below with a ZIP code and the kind of care needed. Local providers reply with their real current prices. Free for families, providers pay for introductions.
Run the calculator
Set a realistic budget in 30 seconds.
Send the form below
ZIP code plus care type, that is all it takes.
Compare real quotes
Providers near you reply with actual prices.
Medical alert systems, tested and compared
Independent roundups of the devices families ask about most, including the no-monthly-fee options that are hardest to research.
At-home alert pendant
One-button pendant that calls family or a monitoring centre. The no-monthly-fee angle is the exact long-tail this site covers first.
Mobile GPS alert system
Works away from home with GPS location and fall detection, the higher-priced tier of the category.
Smartwatch-style alert
Looks like a normal watch, with discreet SOS and activity tracking, aimed at active seniors who refuse a medical-looking pendant.
We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. How we make money.
Aging-in-place and caregiver guides
Plain-English guides to the costs families ask about most.
How much does home care cost per hour in 2026?
Hourly rates by state, what 24-hour care really adds up to, and when assisted living becomes cheaper than staying home.
Read the guideHow to pay for assisted living: 7 options families use
Medicaid, VA benefits, long-term care insurance, home equity and more, with who each option suits.
Read the guideAssisted living costs by state
Monthly medians for all 50 states plus in-depth guides for Texas, California and Florida.
Browse all guidesHow this site works as a business
A quick look under the hood, in the order the money arrives.
Affiliate, from day one
Medical-alert, hearing and senior-move partners pay per sale or referral (up to 20% per sale, up to $100 per moving referral).
Lead forms, as traffic grows
The get-local-pricing form under every calculator. Senior-living leads are among the highest-value consumer leads in the US.
Ads and guest posts, later
Display ads join once traffic justifies it. Guest posts only once the site reads as an established niche publication.