Senior In-Home Care Costs
The median cost of senior in-home care ranged from about $34 to $36 per hour in 2025.
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Cost is a primary consideration if you’re researching senior home care for yourself or a loved one. While home care can be more affordable than the cost of assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and other types of senior care, the exact costs will depend on the location and specific health needs. Another primary factor is the individual hired to provide formal in-home care, with two primary types: housekeeping and health.
In this guide we’ll explore average costs, types of care, and the most common ways to pay for the costs of in-home care.
Care.com offers access to a network of background-checked caregivers. Receive home care quotes and in-home care pricing.
Types of In-Home Care for Seniors
The broad area of home care refers to two specific types of services: home care and homemaker.
» Related Reading: In-Home Supportive Services
Homemaker services help with select activities of daily living, like housekeeping, shopping, cleaning, and preparing meals. They often provide companionship for seniors, which is vital for ensuring older adults can live comfortably and emotionally well in their own homes.
Did You Know?Even after the COVID-19 pandemic, about one in every three seniors still experiences persistent loneliness and social isolation.1
On the other hand, home health aides typically handle more personal duties, such as bathing and grooming, and they may provide certain health-related services like assistance with medications, wound care, and vital sign monitoring.
Average Cost of Home Health Care Nationally
Most home health care workers charge hourly rates, usually through a home health agency, though they’re hired on a private, family-by-family basis. Agencies typically charge 20 to 30 percent more than individual caregivers. However, reputable agencies conduct background checks of caregivers and are better equipped to provide all types of care an individual requires.
» Learn About: A Guide to Caregiving in Senior Care
Both types of in-home care have gotten more expensive over the years, each averaging about $35 per hour.
As with any senior care, costs vary not only by the services provided and the needs of the person receiving care. For example, it would be more affordable to hire someone to help with minor household chores three to five hours a week than to hire a caregiver to provide extensive medical services for several hours each day.
| Caregiver Role | National Hourly Average | National Daily Average / 8 hours | National Monthly Average / 22 days | National Annual Average / 250 days per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homemaker Services | $33.99 | $194 | $6,481 | $77,769 |
| Home Health Aide | $35.02 | $220 | $6,677 | $80,126 |
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Homemaker Services Costs By State
In-home care costs depend on the care provided and where the person lives. Because these costs are based on caregiver wages, they vary from state to state.
FYI: South Dakota and Vermont have some of the highest per-hour rates for homemakers and in-home health aides, with average rates of $45.32 per hour.
Median costs are highest in South Dakota at around $8,641 per month and lowest in Louisiana at $3,927 per month.
| State | Home Care Median Hourly Rate | Home Care Daily Rate / 8 hours | Home Care Monthly Rate / 22 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $33.99 | $213 | $6,481 |
| Alabama | $25.75 | $162 | $4,910 |
| Alaska | $35.02 | $220 | $6,677 |
| Arizona | $36.05 | $227 | $6,873 |
| Arkansas | $26.78 | $168 | $5,106 |
| California | $39.14 | $246 | $7,462 |
| Colorado | $41.20 | $259 | $7,856 |
| Connecticut | $35.02 | $220 | $6,677 |
| Delaware | $35.02 | $220 | $6,677 |
| District of Columbia | $36.05 | $227 | $6,873 |
| Florida | $30.90 | $195 | $5,892 |
| Georgia | $28.84 | $181 | $5,499 |
| Hawaii | $41.20 | $259 | $7,856 |
| Idaho | $31.93 | $201 | $6,088 |
| Illinois | $36.05 | $227 | $6,873 |
| Indiana | $32.96 | $207 | $6,284 |
| Iowa | $36.05 | $227 | $6,873 |
| Kansas | $31.93 | $201 | $6,088 |
| Kentucky | $32.96 | $207 | $6,284 |
| Louisiana | $20.60 | $130 | $3,927 |
| Maine | $44.29 | $278 | $8,445 |
| Maryland | $36.05 | $227 | $6,873 |
| Massachusetts | $39.14 | $246 | $7,462 |
| Michigan | $33.99 | $213 | $6,481 |
| Minnesota | $41.20 | $259 | $7,856 |
| Mississippi | $23.69 | $145 | $4,419 |
| Missouri | $32.96 | $207 | $6,284 |
| Montana | $41.20 | $259 | $7,856 |
| Nebraska | $36.05 | $227 | $6,873 |
| Nevada | $37.08 | $233 | $7,070 |
| New Hampshire | $39.14 | $246 | $7,462 |
| New Jersey | $37.08 | $233 | $7,070 |
| New Mexico | $28.84 | $181 | $5,499 |
| New York | $35.02 | $220 | $6,677 |
| North Carolina | $30.90 | $195 | $5,892 |
| North Dakota | $41.20 | $259 | $7,856 |
| Ohio | $32.96 | $207 | $6,284 |
| Oklahoma | $35.02 | $220 | $6,677 |
| Oregon | $41.20 | $259 | $7,856 |
| Pennsylvania | $33.99 | $213 | $6,481 |
| Rhode Island | $39.14 | $246 | $7,462 |
| South Carolina | $30.90 | $195 | $5,892 |
| South Dakota | $45.32 | $285 | $8,641 |
| Tennessee | $30.90 | $195 | $5,892 |
| Texas | $28.84 | $181 | $5,499 |
| Utah | $37.08 | $233 | $7,070 |
| Vermont | $45.32 | $281 | $8,543 |
| Virginia | $32.96 | $207 | $6,284 |
| Washington | $43.26 | $272 | $8,248 |
| West Virginia | $25.75 | $162 | $4,910 |
| Wisconsin | $37.08 | $233 | $7,070 |
| Wyoming | $28.84 | $178 | $5,400 |
*Based on estimates from Genworth.2
How to Pay for Home Care for Seniors
There are several ways to pay for home care for seniors, including private payment and government or local assistance options. Here are some common questions concerning paying for senior home care.
Pro Tip: Is home care right for your budget? Check out the cost breakdown of adult day care, custodial care, and respite care to compare.
Does Medicare Cover Home Care Costs?
Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical care ordered by someone other than a physician or a care practitioner. There is no Medicare coverage for those receiving care for ADLs, but any care related to medical needs is covered.
» Learn More: Does Medicare or Medicaid Cover Home Care?
Home health aides, CNAs, nurses, and therapists are covered under Medicare. However, recipients must be declared homebound and have a doctor prescribe this type of care, which is typically limited compared to time spent with a home care aide.
Does Medicaid Cover Home Care Costs?
Medicaid is a state and government-sponsored program designed to serve low-income people. Coverage differs drastically from Medicare, as Medicaid covers non-medical in-home care plus medical services.
» Also Check Out: Does Medicare or Medicaid Cover Companion Care?
This Medicaid program is called Home and Community-Based Services when provided as in-home care. There are often state-specific waivers that beneficiaries must apply for and receive for maximum coverage.
Do Veterans Benefits Cover Home Health Care?
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides certain levels of coverage for home health care.
» For Veterans: Veterans Care Guide
The entire cost may be covered in select cases, while in other situations, the VA helps recompense veterans to reduce their expenditures for home health care. These benefits will vary depending on which policies are in force: Improved Pension, Aid and Attendance, and Homebound.3
Self-Payment Options
Of course, self-payment is always an option for families requiring senior health care, including:
- Life Insurance Policy Conversions
- Reverse Mortgages and HELOCs (Home Equity Line of Credit)
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Home Care Loans
Is Home Health Care Tax Deductible?
Expenses for home care aides and home health aides are limited. Non-medical related expenses, such as assistance with ADLs, are not generally tax-deductible. However, those seeking nursing and medical-related expenses might qualify for a tax deduction for declaring an additional independent (similar to declaring a child on taxes) or even dependency status.
» For More Information: Tax Credits and Deductions for Seniors
If the primary purpose of in-home health care is medically related, tax claim options exist to accommodate those needs. Do note that medical expenses only are deductible under the medical claim and are limited by law.
Pro Tip: Is home care right for you? Check out the cost breakdown of adult day care, custodial care, and respite care.
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Genworth. (2025). Calculate the cost of long-term care near you.
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Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan. (2024). 1 in 3 older adults still experience loneliness and isolation.
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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2024). VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance.