National Average Home Care Costs
According to the 2025 Genworth Cost of Care Survey — the most comprehensive annual study of long-term care costs in the United States — the national median cost of non-medical home care is approximately $30 per hour, or $5,148 per month based on 44 hours of care per week.
It's important to understand that "home care" covers a wide spectrum of services. Non-medical home care (personal care, companion care, assistance with daily living) costs considerably less than skilled home health care provided by licensed nurses or therapists. The costs below reflect both categories.
Cost by Type of Care
The biggest factor in home care cost is the type of care your loved one needs. Here is a detailed breakdown of 2025 national averages by care type:
| Care Type | Avg. Hourly Rate | Monthly (44 hrs/wk) | Who Provides It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Companion / Sitter Care | $20–$25/hr | $3,520–$4,400 | Home care aide |
| Personal Care (ADLs) | $25–$32/hr | $4,400–$5,632 | Home health aide / CNA |
| Skilled Nursing | $35–$55/hr | $6,160–$9,680 | Registered Nurse (RN) |
| Physical Therapy | $75–$150/visit | Varies by frequency | Licensed PT |
| Occupational Therapy | $75–$150/visit | Varies by frequency | Licensed OT |
| Live-In Care (24hr) | $200–$350/day | $6,000–$10,500 | Home health aide |
| Memory / Dementia Care | $28–$40/hr | $4,928–$7,040 | Specialized caregiver |
| Post-Surgery Recovery | $25–$45/hr | $4,400–$7,920 | HHA or RN (depends) |
Source: 2025 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. Rates are national medians; actual costs vary by location and agency.
Cost by State
Home care costs vary dramatically by geography. States with higher costs of living, stronger labor markets, and greater demand for caregivers tend to have significantly higher rates. The table below shows median hourly home care costs in the 20 most populous states.
| State | Median Rate/Hr | Monthly (44 hrs/wk) | vs. National Avg. |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $38/hr | $6,688 | ↑ +27% |
| New York | $36/hr | $6,336 | ↑ +20% |
| Massachusetts | $35/hr | $6,160 | ↑ +17% |
| Washington | $34/hr | $5,984 | ↑ +13% |
| New Jersey | $34/hr | $5,984 | ↑ +13% |
| Florida | $28/hr | $4,928 | ≈ National avg. |
| Texas | $26/hr | $4,576 | ↓ -13% |
| Georgia | $24/hr | $4,224 | ↓ -20% |
| Ohio | $24/hr | $4,224 | ↓ -20% |
| Mississippi | $18/hr | $3,168 | ↓ -40% |
Monthly Cost Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate your monthly home care cost based on your location and care needs.
What Affects the Cost?
Several factors influence what you'll pay for home care beyond the basic hourly rate. Understanding them helps you budget accurately and potentially find savings.
1. Location
As shown in the state table above, geography is the single biggest cost driver. California home care can cost twice as much as Mississippi. Even within the same state, a major metro like New York City can cost 30–40% more than upstate rural areas.
2. Level of Care
Companion care (social support, light housekeeping, transportation) costs the least. Personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming) costs more. Skilled nursing and therapy services cost the most. Make sure you're comparing apples to apples when getting quotes.
3. Hours and Schedule
Most agencies charge a premium for overnight care, weekend shifts, and holiday care — typically 10–25% more than weekday daytime rates. Live-in care typically offers a lower effective hourly rate than hourly care at the same number of hours.
4. Agency vs. Independent Caregiver
Hiring through an agency costs more (typically $5–$10/hr more) but offers significant protections: the agency handles taxes, insurance, workers' comp, backup caregivers, and supervision. Independent/private caregivers are cheaper but put more administrative and legal burden on the family.
How to Pay for Home Care
Home care is a significant expense, but several programs and benefits can help reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs for qualifying families.
| Payment Source | Covers Non-Medical? | Covers Skilled? | Who Qualifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicare Part A | ✗ No | ✓ Yes (limited) | Medicare enrollees · post-hospitalization |
| Medicaid (HCBS) | ✓ Yes (varies by state) | ✓ Yes | Low-income qualifying individuals |
| Long-Term Care Insurance | ✓ Usually yes | ✓ Yes | Policy holders (if policy includes home care) |
| VA Benefits (Aid & Attendance) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Eligible veterans & surviving spouses |
| Private Pay (Out of Pocket) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Anyone — no income limits |
| Life Insurance (Accelerated) | ✓ Sometimes | ✓ Sometimes | Policy holders with qualifying illness |
| Reverse Mortgage | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Homeowners 62+ with sufficient equity |
Frequently Asked Questions
Medicare covers skilled home health care (nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy) under Part A and Part B, but only when you meet specific criteria: you must be homebound, your doctor must certify that you need skilled care, and the agency must be Medicare-certified. Medicare does NOT cover non-medical home care services like personal care or companion care. Coverage is also time-limited.
A home health aide (HHA) or certified nursing assistant (CNA) providing personal care costs between $22 and $32 per hour nationally in 2025, with a median of around $27/hr. Rates vary significantly by state — from $18/hr in some Southern states to $38/hr+ in California. Live-in home health aide care averages $200–$350 per day nationally.
It depends on the hours of care needed. For part-time care (under 40 hours/week), home care is significantly cheaper than a nursing home, which averages $8,000–$10,000/month nationally. For full-time or 24-hour care, home care costs can approach or exceed nursing home costs. Many families find that home care delivers better quality of life outcomes even at comparable costs — most people strongly prefer to remain at home.
Yes, in some cases. Many agencies are willing to negotiate rates for: long-term contracts (6+ months), high-hour cases (40+ hrs/week), and multiple family members using the same agency. Rates during off-peak hours (weekday mornings) are also typically lower. Always get at least 3 quotes before choosing an agency.
Most home care agencies require a minimum of 2–4 hours per visit. Some agencies have daily minimums. Agencies that offer shorter minimum visits (1–2 hours) tend to charge a slightly higher hourly rate to offset scheduling overhead. If you only need brief daily check-ins, a companion app or medical alert system may be more cost-effective for that specific need.
Ready to Find Care
in Your Area?
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you verified providers near you — with real pricing, reviews, and same-day availability. Free for families.