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Mapped: Nursing Home Costs Across America

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Mapped: Nursing Home Costs Across America

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Key Takeaways

  • Alaska’s nursing home costs reached nearly $334K annually in 2025, almost five times higher than Texas.
  • Nursing home care now exceeds $180K per year in states including New York, Hawaii, and Connecticut.
  • Labor shortages and an aging population are pushing long-term care costs sharply higher nationwide.

A year in a U.S. nursing home can now cost more than a house depending on where you live.

Using data from the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2025, this map shows the median annual cost of nursing home care across all 50 states. Alaska ranks highest at nearly $334,000 for a semi-private room, while Texas remains among the least expensive at roughly $68,000.

The widening gap reflects higher labor costs, staffing shortages, and growing demand as America’s population ages.

Ranked: The Cost of Nursing Homes in Every U.S. State

The following table shows the median annual cost of nursing home care by state:

Rank State Median Annual Cost 2025 Monthly Cost
1 Alaska $333,975 $27,831
2 Oregon $201,115 $16,760
3 New York $186,332 $15,528
4 Hawaii $185,679 $15,473
5 Connecticut $182,500 $15,208
6 Delaware $173,922 $14,494
7 Massachusetts $173,375 $14,448
8 Vermont $169,360 $14,113
9 Maine $167,718 $13,976
10 Washington $157,859 $13,155
11 Maryland $155,125 $12,927
12 West Virginia $154,030 $12,836
13 New Jersey $153,300 $12,775
14 New Hampshire $146,912 $12,243
15 California $146,000 $12,167
16 Rhode Island $145,270 $12,106
17 Pennsylvania $143,445 $11,954
18 Nevada $141,438 $11,786
19 North Dakota $138,335 $11,528
20 Michigan $135,050 $11,254
21 Minnesota $127,750 $10,646
21 Wisconsin $127,750 $10,646
23 Idaho $125,925 $10,494
24 Florida $124,100 $10,342
25 Virginia $123,005 $10,250
26 Colorado $121,910 $10,159
27 Wyoming $118,990 $9,916
28 North Carolina $116,800 $9,733
29 Kentucky $116,618 $9,718
30 Mississippi $114,975 $9,581
31 South Dakota $113,332 $9,444
32 Tennessee $113,150 $9,429
33 Iowa $111,325 $9,277
34 Ohio $110,230 $9,186
35 New Mexico $109,500 $9,125
36 South Carolina $108,405 $9,034
37 Montana $107,675 $8,873
38 Indiana $107,310 $8,942
39 Georgia $105,850 $8,821
40 Kansas $104,025 $8,669
40 Utah $104,025 $8,669
42 Nebraska $100,521 $8,377
43 Arizona $100,375 $8,365
44 Alabama $100,010 $8,334
45 Illinois $99,645 $8,304
46 Louisiana $91,250 $7,604
47 Arkansas $89,425 $7,452
48 Oklahoma $84,315 $7,026
49 Missouri $80,893 $6,741
50 Texas $67,525 $5,627

Alaska Costs Nearly 5x More Than Texas

The cost gap between states is now so large that retirees can face six-figure differences depending on where they age. In the most expensive states, long-term care costs can rival the price of a home every one to two years.

Alaska leads the nation at roughly $334,000 annually for a semi-private room, equal to nearly $28,000 per month. By comparison, Texas remains among the least expensive states at roughly $68,000 per year.

That means one year in an Alaskan nursing home can cost more than many Americans spend on a house.

Several coastal states also rank near the top, including Hawaii, New York, Connecticut, and Oregon, where annual costs now exceed $180,000.

Why Costs Are Rising So Fast

One of the main drivers behind rising nursing home costs is the growing shortage of caregivers and nurses across the U.S.

Facilities nationwide continue struggling to recruit and retain caregivers, nurses, and support staff as America’s population ages. In many states, operators have raised wages sharply to compete for workers.

Oregon has become one of the clearest examples of this pressure. According to industry surveys, 94% of facilities reported major staffing shortages, with many limiting admissions because they lack enough workers.

Combined with inflation and rising demand for care, higher staffing costs are pushing prices upward nationwide.

Why Coastal States Are So Expensive

Many of America’s most expensive nursing home markets are concentrated along the coasts.

States like New York, Connecticut, Hawaii, and Oregon face some of the nation’s highest housing, labor, and healthcare operating costs. These pressures often feed directly into long-term care pricing.

In Alaska and Hawaii, geographic isolation also raises transportation and staffing expenses, making care substantially more expensive than in much of the mainland U.S.

Meanwhile, lower-cost states across the South and Midwest generally benefit from cheaper labor, lower real estate costs, and less expensive operating environments.

The Growing Retirement Cost Crisis

The rapid rise in nursing home costs is becoming a major financial challenge for aging Americans and their families.

In many states, one year in a nursing home now costs more than the average American earns annually. For retirees without long-term care insurance or substantial savings, extended care can rapidly consume retirement assets built over decades.

As a result, more families are relying on Medicaid, family caregiving, or delayed retirement planning to manage future care costs.

With America’s population over 65 projected to keep growing in the years ahead, pressure on long-term care systems and household finances is expected to intensify.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on how far $1 million stretches in retirement by state.