Is Assisted Living More Expensive Than In-Home Care?

Date Updated: July 26, 2024

Written by:

Rachel Lustbader

Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.

Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers

Assisted living is less expensive than in-home care. According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey, assisted living has an average cost of $4,500 per month across the United States. In comparison, in-home care costs an average of $4,957 per month for homemaker services alone and $5,148 per month for home health aide services.

What does the cost of in-home care include?

The cost of in-home care includes either homemaker services or a home health aide. Homemaker services are appropriate if you need help with running errands, preparing meals and keeping up with household chores. Home health aides offer hands-on personal and medical care. This type of service is suitable if you require skilled nursing at home.

You save money on home care compared to assisted living if you don’t need full-time assistance. Some seniors only need help for a few hours a week to shop for groceries and prepare meals, for example. Home care offers the flexibility to pay only for specific services, while assisted living has a one-size-fits-all rate based on the level of care you need.

What does the cost of assisted living include?

The cost of assisted living typically includes room and board. If you need services such as hands-on personal care or help with housekeeping, the facility may charge a la carte fees for these services. Some communities have tiered levels that adjust your cost based on the necessary level of care. Assisted living communities include amenities such as fitness centers and transportation in your monthly rent.