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What State Has The Cheapest Senior Living?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
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
The state that has the cheapest senior living depends on the type of care needed. As a general rule, states with low general costs of living also have low senior living costs. Affordable care is most often found in the South and Midwest. Genworth conducts a Cost of Care Survey each year to help older adults and their families understand the price of senior care. Data about the average cost per month is available for each state and many cities around the country.
The Cost of Care at Home
Seniors living at home commonly use in-home care or home health care to help them continue to live independently. In-home care provides personal care services, such as assistance with activities of daily living. Home health care provides medical assistance in the home in addition to daily living assistance. The most affordable state for in-home care and home health care is West Virginia, with costs of $3,527 and $3,575 respectively. Louisiana comes a close second, with in-home care averaging $3,623 and home health care averaging $3,718.
Adult day care is an option for seniors who only need care during the day. If their caregiver works during the day, adult day care can provide companionship and supervision during those hours. The cost in Alabama is $758 per month, while in Texas seniors pay $769.The Cost of Residential Care
The average cost of care is not the only thing to consider when choosing an affordable retirement location. The overall cost of living, taxes and government assistance can all have an impact on a retirement budget. Some states with low average care costs may have less Medicaid and other government assistance. Low state income tax on Social Security and other retirement funds can help keep more money available for senior care. Seniors who wish to remain living at home may also want to consider the property tax burden before deciding on their retirement location.