At least 70 percent of Americans over the age of 65 will need some form of long-term care during their lives, according to estimates. Single seniors, without partners to rely on, and younger adults who are arranging care for parents tend to be particularly hard-hit financially.
So which states will set you back on assisted living costs, and which are relative bargains?
The Most Expensive States for Assisted Living
These are the five most expensive states for the median annual cost of a private, one-bedroom unit in an assisted living community, according to Genworth: Washington, D.C. – $80,400 Alaska – $69,000 Massachusetts – $65,550 Delaware – $64,416 Maine – $59,892 As you can see, the cost of assisted living in the District of Columbia is almost twice the national average. While most of these states are on the East Coast, Alaska is an outlier. Proportionately, the Frontier State also has astronomically high costs for other forms of senior care, such as nursing homes.The Cheapest States for Assisted Living
On the other hand, assisted living costs in the Southeast tend to be considerably lower than the national average. Again, these are the median annual costs of a private, one-bedroom unit in an assisted living community: Missouri – $30,483 Assisted living in the Show Me State costs $50,000 less than in D.C., and $35,000 less than in Massachusetts. That amounts to serious savings over the course of retirement years in which you need assistive care. Oklahoma – $33,630 Georgia – $34,200 Alabama – $34,800 Utah – $35,400Consider Inflation in Assisted Living, Too
When planning for assisted living costs, take the long view on inflation as well. The average national cost of assisted living grew 0.78% from 2015 to 2016, according to Genworth. Over five years, the average cost grew 2.16%. It can be difficult to forecast an entire financial plan for senior care. Retirees should take special care to consider location and inflation – and perhaps consult a professional adviser to make sure your plan fits your retirement budget. —
Assisted Living Costs in All 50 States
Here’s a state-by-state look at assisted living costs, as reported by Genworth. These numbers are the median costs of a private, one-bedroom unit in an assisted living facility in each state, the District of Columbia and nationally.| State | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
| USA – National | $3,628 | $43,536 |
| Alabama | $2,900 | $34,800 |
| Alaska | $5,750 | $69,000 |
| Arizona | $3,500 | $42,000 |
| Arkansas | $3,133 | $37,596 |
| California | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| Colorado | $4,063 | $48,756 |
| Connecticut | $4,950 | $59,400 |
| Delaware | $5,368 | $64,416 |
| District of Columbia | $6,700 | $80,400 |
| Florida | $3,045 | $36,540 |
| Georgia | $2,850 | $34,200 |
| Hawaii | $4,125 | $49,500 |
| Idaho | $3,200 | $38,400 |
| Illinois | $3,898 | $46,776 |
| Indiana | $3,528 | $42,336 |
| Iowa | $3,518 | $42,216 |
| Kansas | $3,863 | $46,356 |
| Kentucky | $3,300 | $39,600 |
| Louisiana | $3,155 | $37,860 |
| Maine | $4,991 | $59,892 |
| Maryland | $3,750 | $45,000 |
| Massachusetts | $5,463 | $65,556 |
| Michigan | $3,563 | $42,756 |
| Minnesota | $3,200 | $38,400 |
| Mississippi | $3,200 | $38,400 |
| Missouri | $2,537 | $30,444 |
| Montana | $3,513 | $42,156 |
| Nebraska | $3,510 | $42,120 |
| Nevada | $3,050 | $36,600 |
| New Hampshire | $4,800 | $57,600 |
| New Jersey | $4,950 | $59,400 |
| New Mexico | $3,600 | $43,200 |
| New York | $4,136 | $49,632 |
| North Carolina | $3,000 | $36,000 |
| North Dakota | $3,340 | $40,080 |
| Ohio | $3,600 | $43,200 |
| Oklahoma | $2,803 | $33,636 |
| Oregon | $4,065 | $48,780 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,600 | $43,200 |
| Rhode Island | $4,931 | $59,172 |
| South Carolina | $3,000 | $36,000 |
| South Dakota | $3,370 | $40,440 |
| Tennessee | $3,780 | $45,360 |
| Texas | $3,515 | $42,180 |
| Utah | $2,950 | $35,400 |
| Vermont | $4,860 | $58,320 |
| Virginia | $3,950 | $47,400 |
| Washington | $4,500 | $54,000 |
| West Virginia | $3,263 | $39,156 |
| Wisconsin | $3,934 | $47,208 |
| Wyoming | $3,995 | $47,940 |
