Senior In-Home Care Costs
The median cost of senior in-home care is approximately $35 per hour in 2026, though rates vary by state.
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Let's be honest, when you start looking into senior home care for yourself or a parent, the first question on your mind is usually, “How much is this going to cost?” While home care can be more affordable than assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and other types of senior care, the exact costs will depend on your location and individual health needs. Another factor affecting the cost of care is whether the care provider is a home health aide or someone who provides homemaker services.
In this guide, we’ll explore types of care, average costs, and the most common ways to pay for in-home care.
Types of In-Home Care for Seniors
Broadly, home care refers to two types of services: home care and homemaker.
» Related Reading: In-Home Supportive Services
Homemaker services assist with select activities of daily living, including housekeeping, shopping, cleaning, and preparing meals. They often provide companionship for seniors as well, a vital service because socialization is essential for older adults’ emotional and mental health.
Did You Know? Recent data from the University of Michigan indicates that one in three older adults (34 percent) reported feeling isolated from others in the past year.1
On the other hand, home health aides typically handle more personal duties, such as bathing and grooming, and they may provide certain health-related services, such as assistance with medications, wound care, and vital sign monitoring.
Average Cost of Home Health Care in the U.S.
Most home health care workers charge hourly rates, whether they are hired directly on an independent basis or through a home health care agency. Agencies typically charge 20 to 30 percent more than individual caregivers. While that might sound steep, keep in mind that reliable agencies conduct caregiver background checks and provide greater accountability; for example, if a caregiver fails to show up for a shift, an agency should quickly send a replacement, whereas with a private hire, finding someone else could take more time.
» Learn About: A Guide to Caregiving in Senior Care
Whether you go with an agency to hire home health care or use a private caregiver, the national median cost for a home health aide is $35 per hour, according to the latest data from CareScout.
FYI: Costs are rising alongside inflation. The median hourly cost of a home health aide increased by approximately 5% from 2023 to 2024, according to Genworth2.
As with any senior care, costs vary drastically regarding the services provided and the needs of the person receiving care. As an example, it would be more affordable to hire someone to help with minor household chores three to five hours a week than to hire a caregiver to provide extensive medical services for several hours each day.
| Caregiver Role | National Hourly Average | National Daily Average / 8 hours | National Monthly Average / 22 days | National Annual Average / 250 days per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homemaker Services | $33.99 | $194 | $5,892 | $70,699 |
| Home Health Aide | $35.02 | $200 | $6,070 | $72,842 |
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Homemaker Services Costs By State
In-home care costs depend on the care provided and the patient’s location. Because these costs are based on caregiver wages, they vary from state to state.
FYI: Washington and Minnesota currently have some of the highest per-hour rates for home health aides, with median rates around $42 and $41 per hour, respectively.
Conversely, median costs for home health aides are typically lowest in states like Louisiana (approx. $23 per hour) and Mississippi (approx. $25 per hour).
| State | Home Care Median Hourly Rate | Home Care Daily Rate / 8 hours | Home Care Monthly Rate / 22 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $35.00 | $280 | $6,160 |
| Alabama | $25 | $204 | $4,481 |
| Alaska | $37 | $297 | $6,535 |
| Arizona | $36 | $289 | $6,348 |
| Arkansas | $28 | $221 | $4,855 |
| California | $38 | $306 | $6,722 |
| Colorado | $40 | $323 | $7,095 |
| Connecticut | $33 | $263 | $5,788 |
| Delaware | $36 | $289 | $6,348 |
| District of Columbia | $35 | $280 | $6,162 |
| Florida | $33 | $263 | $5,788 |
| Georgia | $30 | $238 | $5,228 |
| Hawaii | $38 | $306 | $6,722 |
| Idaho | $35 | $280 | $6,162 |
| Illinois | $35 | $280 | $6,162 |
| Indiana | $33 | $263 | $5,788 |
| Iowa | $36 | $289 | $6,348 |
| Kansas | $33 | $263 | $5,788 |
| Kentucky | $32 | $255 | $5,602 |
| Louisiana | $23 | $187 | $4,106 |
| Maine | $38 | $306 | $6,722 |
| Maryland | $33 | $263 | $5,788 |
| Massachusetts | $38 | $306 | $6,722 |
| Michigan | $35 | $280 | $6,162 |
| Minnesota | $41 | $331 | $7,284 |
| Mississippi | $25 | $204 | $4,481 |
| Missouri | $33 | $263 | $5,788 |
| Montana | $35 | $280 | $6,162 |
| Nebraska | $36 | $289 | $6,348 |
| Nevada | $33 | $263 | $5,788 |
| New Hampshire | $38 | $306 | $6,722 |
| New Jersey | $35 | $280 | $6,162 |
| New Mexico | $33 | $263 | $5,788 |
| New York | $36 | $289 | $6,348 |
| North Carolina | $32 | $255 | $5,602 |
| North Dakota | $38 | $306 | $6,722 |
| Ohio | $33 | $263 | $5,788 |
| Oklahoma | $31 | $246 | $5,415 |
| Oregon | $39 | $314 | $6,909 |
| Pennsylvania | $33 | $263 | $5,788 |
| Rhode Island | $37 | $297 | $6,535 |
| South Carolina | $32 | $255 | $5,602 |
| South Dakota | $38 | $306 | $6,722 |
| Tennessee | $31 | $246 | $5,415 |
| Texas | $29 | $229 | $5,041 |
| Utah | $38 | $306 | $6,722 |
| Vermont | $38 | $306 | $6,722 |
| Virginia | $32 | $255 | $5,602 |
| Washington | $42 | $339 | $7,469 |
| West Virginia | $27 | $212 | $4,668 |
| Wisconsin | $37 | $297 | $6,535 |
| Wyoming | $37 | $297 | $6,535 |
*Based on data from CareScout.
How to Pay for Home Care for Seniors
There are several ways to pay for home care for seniors, including private payment (out-of-pocket) and government or local assistance options. Here are some frequently asked questions concerning paying for senior home care.
Pro Tip: Is home care right for your budget? Check out the cost breakdown of adult day care, custodial care, and respite care to compare.
Does Medicare Cover Home Care Costs?
Medicare doesn’t cover nonmedical care ordered by someone other than a physician or a care practitioner. There is no Medicare coverage for those receiving care for ADLs, but any care related to medical needs is covered.
Home health aides, CNAs, nurses, and therapists are covered under Medicare. However, recipients must be declared homebound and have a doctor prescribe this type of care, which is typically limited compared to the time spent with a home care aide.
Does Medicaid Cover Home Care Costs?
Medicaid is a state and government-sponsored program designed to serve low-income people. Coverage differs drastically from Medicare, as Medicaid covers non-medical in-home care plus medical services.
» Also Check Out: Does Medicare or Medicaid Cover Companion Care?
This Medicaid program is called Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) when provided as in-home care. There are often state-specific waivers that beneficiaries must apply for and receive for maximum coverage.
Do Veterans Benefits Cover Home Health Care?
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides certain levels of coverage for home health care.
» For Veterans: Veterans Housing Guide
The entire cost may be covered in select cases, while in other situations, the VA helps recompense veterans to reduce their expenditures for home health care. These benefits will vary depending on which policies are in force: Improved Pension, Aid and Attendance, and Homebound.3
Self-Payment Options
Of course, self-payment is always an option for families requiring senior health care, including:
- Life Insurance Policy Conversions
- Reverse Mortgages and HELOCs (Home Equity Line of Credit)
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Home Care Loans
Is Home Health Care Tax Deductible?
Expenses for home care aides and home health aides are limited. Non-medical related costs, such as assistance with ADLs, are not generally tax-deductible. However, those seeking nursing and medical-related expenses might qualify for a tax deduction for declaring an additional independent (similar to declaring a child on taxes) or even dependency status.
» For More Information: Tax Credits and Deductions for Seniors
If the primary purpose of in-home health care is medically related, tax claim options exist to accommodate those needs. Do note that medical expenses are only deductible under the medical claim and are limited by law.
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Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan. (2024). 1 in 3 older adults still experience loneliness and isolation.
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CareScout. (2026). Cost of Care Survey.
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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2024). VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance.
