The average monthly cost of memory care in the US is about $6,690, according to A Place for Mom’s 2026 national median, or roughly $80,000 a year. Memory care typically costs about 20% to 30% more than standard assisted living because of extra staffing, dementia training and secure buildings. Depending on your state and the level of care needed, monthly bills commonly range from around $5,000 to well over $12,000.
Below we break down the national figures, state-by-state costs, how communities price memory care, what is included and what costs extra, and every realistic way to pay, including the tax deduction many families miss.
National memory care cost in 2026
Two major data sources track senior care costs, and they measure slightly different things, so it helps to see both.
| Measure | Monthly | Yearly (approx.) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memory care, national median, 2026 | $6,690 | $80,280 | A Place for Mom |
| Memory care, national median, 2025 | $6,450 | $77,400 | A Place for Mom |
| Assisted living, national median, 2026 | $5,419 | $65,028 | A Place for Mom |
| Assisted living, national median, 2025 (private one-bedroom) | $6,200 | $74,400 | CareScout |
Sources: A Place for Mom 2026 Costs of Long-Term Care and Senior Living Report; CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025.
A few things to know about these numbers:
- A Place for Mom bases its figures on what families in its partner network actually paid. Its 2026 memory care median rose 3.7% from 2025. In the same data, memory care cost about 23% more than assisted living ($6,690 vs $5,419).
- CareScout (formerly the Genworth Cost of Care Survey) surveys providers on the rate for a private one-bedroom unit. It does not publish a separate memory care figure. Its 2025 assisted living median of $6,200 a month was up 5% from the prior year.
- Because CareScout’s assisted living figure is higher than A Place for Mom’s, applying a memory care premium to it gives a higher estimate (about $7,440 to $8,060 a month nationally). Treat the true cost in your area as a range, and get real quotes.
See what memory care costs near you
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Take the free care quizMemory care cost by state
We could not find a free, state-level memory care dataset with published methods, so the table below starts with CareScout’s verified 2025 assisted living medians for each state and adds a 20% to 30% memory care premium. The estimate column is our calculation, not a survey result. Use it to see how your state compares, then confirm with local quotes.
| State | Assisted living median (2025) | Estimated memory care range (+20% to +30%) |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $4,425 | $5,310 to $5,750 |
| Alaska | $9,882 | $11,860 to $12,850 |
| Arizona | $6,250 | $7,500 to $8,120 |
| Arkansas | $4,637 | $5,560 to $6,030 |
| California | $7,000 | $8,400 to $9,100 |
| Colorado | $6,584 | $7,900 to $8,560 |
| Connecticut | $9,118 | $10,940 to $11,850 |
| Delaware | $7,600 | $9,120 to $9,880 |
| Florida | $5,610 | $6,730 to $7,290 |
| Georgia | $5,300 | $6,360 to $6,890 |
| Hawaii | $12,096 | $14,520 to $15,720 |
| Idaho | $5,175 | $6,210 to $6,730 |
| Illinois | $6,219 | $7,460 to $8,080 |
| Indiana | $5,639 | $6,770 to $7,330 |
| Iowa | $5,381 | $6,460 to $7,000 |
| Kansas | $5,975 | $7,170 to $7,770 |
| Kentucky | $5,528 | $6,630 to $7,190 |
| Louisiana | $5,163 | $6,200 to $6,710 |
| Maine | $8,205 | $9,850 to $10,670 |
| Maryland | $7,173 | $8,610 to $9,320 |
| Massachusetts | $9,600 | $11,520 to $12,480 |
| Michigan | $5,818 | $6,980 to $7,560 |
| Minnesota | $6,573 | $7,890 to $8,540 |
| Mississippi | $4,369 | $5,240 to $5,680 |
| Missouri | $5,400 | $6,480 to $7,020 |
| Montana | $6,075 | $7,290 to $7,900 |
| Nebraska | $6,350 | $7,620 to $8,260 |
| Nevada | $6,241 | $7,490 to $8,110 |
| New Hampshire | $8,025 | $9,630 to $10,430 |
| New Jersey | $8,710 | $10,450 to $11,320 |
| New Mexico | $5,950 | $7,140 to $7,740 |
| New York | $7,110 | $8,530 to $9,240 |
| North Carolina | $6,496 | $7,800 to $8,440 |
| North Dakota | $4,729 | $5,670 to $6,150 |
| Ohio | $6,103 | $7,320 to $7,930 |
| Oklahoma | $6,150 | $7,380 to $8,000 |
| Oregon | $6,875 | $8,250 to $8,940 |
| Pennsylvania | $6,480 | $7,780 to $8,420 |
| Rhode Island | $7,781 | $9,340 to $10,120 |
| South Carolina | $5,350 | $6,420 to $6,960 |
| South Dakota | $4,900 | $5,880 to $6,370 |
| Tennessee | $5,845 | $7,010 to $7,600 |
| Texas | $5,666 | $6,800 to $7,370 |
| Utah | $5,475 | $6,570 to $7,120 |
| Vermont | $8,597 | $10,320 to $11,180 |
| Virginia | $6,945 | $8,330 to $9,030 |
| Washington | $7,600 | $9,120 to $9,880 |
| West Virginia | $6,340 | $7,610 to $8,240 |
| Wisconsin | $6,540 | $7,850 to $8,500 |
| Wyoming | $5,325 | $6,390 to $6,920 |
Source: CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025, median monthly cost of a private one-bedroom assisted living unit. Memory care ranges are SeniorCare.Services estimates.
The pattern is clear: Hawaii, Alaska, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey sit at the top, while Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and North Dakota are among the least expensive. Within a state, big metro areas usually cost more than rural areas, sometimes by thousands of dollars a month. To compare specific communities, browse the memory care directory.
Why memory care costs more than assisted living
- More staff. Residents need more supervision and hands-on help, including overnight.
- Training. Many states require dementia-specific training. California, for example, requires 12 hours of dementia training for direct care staff in their first year, then 8 hours every year.
- Secure buildings. Controlled exits, wander-alert systems and enclosed outdoor spaces cost money to build and run.
- Structured programming. Small-group activities led throughout the day need more activity staff.
- Higher care needs. Incontinence care, help with eating and behavior support add staff time.
For a full explanation of what memory care includes, see what is memory care.
How memory care communities price their services
Ask every community which model it uses. Two communities with the same “starting at” price can end up hundreds or thousands of dollars apart.
| Pricing model | How it works | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-inclusive | One monthly rate covers housing, meals, care and activities, regardless of how much help a resident needs | Families who want a predictable bill, and residents with high or rising needs | Higher base price; you may pay for care not yet needed |
| Tiered (levels of care) | A base rate for room and board plus a care level (for example Level 1 to 5) set by an assessment | Residents whose needs are moderate now | Moving up a level can add a large amount; ask how often reassessments happen |
| A la carte (fee for service) | Base rent plus a charge for each service used, such as medication management or extra help with bathing | Residents in early stages who need little hands-on help | Charges add up fast as dementia progresses |
The community fee
Most communities also charge a one-time community fee (sometimes called a move-in or entrance fee) to cover setup, administration and the room refresh. Caring.com, citing National Council on Aging data, reports these fees commonly range from $1,000 to $5,000. Ask whether any part is refundable if your loved one moves out or passes away within the first few months, and whether it can be waived or reduced. Move-in specials are common.
What’s included in memory care, and what costs extra
| Usually included | Often extra |
|---|---|
| Private or shared room in a secured unit | Private room upgrade (if shared is the base rate) |
| Three meals a day and snacks | Special diets or pureed meals (sometimes) |
| 24-hour supervision | One-on-one sitter or companion care |
| Help with bathing, dressing and toileting (by level) | Higher care levels or two-person transfers |
| Medication management (often) | Incontinence supplies |
| Structured activities and outings | Salon, barber and podiatry visits |
| Housekeeping and laundry | Personal transportation to appointments |
| Utilities and basic cable | Phone, internet, and some medical equipment |
Inclusions vary by community. Get a written list of what the monthly rate covers.
Memory care vs in-home care vs nursing home costs
Here is how memory care compares with the other main options for someone with dementia.
| Option | National median | Approx. monthly | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memory care | $6,690 a month (2026) | $6,690 | Includes housing, meals, supervision and care |
| Assisted living | $6,200 a month (2025) | $6,200 | Not secure; may not suit wandering or advanced dementia |
| In-home caregiver, 44 hours a week | $35 an hour (2025) | about $6,670 | CareScout puts this at $80,080 a year; does not include housing, food or overnight care |
| In-home caregiver, around the clock | $35 an hour (2025) | about $25,550 | Our calculation for 24 hours a day, 30.4 days |
| Adult day health care, 5 days a week | $95 a day (2025) | about $2,060 | Daytime only; often paired with family care |
| Nursing home, semi-private room | $315 a day (2025) | about $9,580 | 24-hour skilled nursing; Medicaid can cover the full cost |
| Nursing home, private room | $355 a day (2025) | about $10,800 | $129,575 a year |
Sources: A Place for Mom 2026 report (memory care); CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025 (all others). Monthly conversions are our calculations.
Home care can be cheaper in the early stages when a few hours a day is enough, but once someone needs supervision 24/7, memory care is usually far less expensive than round-the-clock home care. For more detail, see how much in-home care costs, how much a nursing home costs and our comparison of memory care vs a nursing home.
Compare memory care prices in your area
Browse memory care communities by state and city, then request pricing from the ones on your shortlist.
Browse memory care near youHow to pay for memory care
Most families combine several sources. Here are the main ones, from most to least common.
1. Private funds
Savings, retirement accounts, pensions, annuities and Social Security pay for most memory care. Work out how long the money will last at today’s rate plus annual increases.
2. Selling or renting the home
Home equity is often the biggest asset. Selling the house can fund several years of care. Renting it out can provide monthly income instead. If a spouse still lives in the home, talk to an elder law attorney first, especially if Medicaid may be needed later.
3. Long-term care insurance
Most tax-qualified long-term care policies pay benefits when the policyholder has a severe cognitive impairment, which covers most people who need memory care. Check the daily or monthly benefit, the elimination (waiting) period, the lifetime maximum and whether the community must meet licensing requirements. File the claim as early as possible.
4. VA Aid and Attendance
Wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities may qualify for a VA pension with Aid and Attendance. The amount is the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) minus countable income, and unreimbursed medical expenses, which can include memory care, reduce countable income.
| Who | MAPR with Aid and Attendance (effective Dec 1, 2025) | About per month |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran, no dependents | $29,093 | $2,424 |
| Veteran with one dependent | $34,488 | $2,874 |
| Two veterans married to each other, both with A&A | $46,143 | $3,845 |
| Surviving spouse, no dependent child | $18,697 | $1,558 |
Source: VA.gov Veterans Pension and Survivors Pension rates. The net worth limit from December 1, 2025 to November 30, 2026 is $163,699.
See our full guide to VA Aid and Attendance for assisted living.
5. Medicaid waivers
Medicaid does not pay for room and board in assisted living or memory care. However, many states run home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers that pay for care services in these settings, and some specifically include memory care. Slots are often limited, so you may face a waitlist. If your loved one needs nursing home care and qualifies financially, Medicaid can cover the full nursing home bill. Read does Medicaid pay for assisted living for state-by-state details. Rules vary by state, so confirm with your state Medicaid agency.
6. Life insurance conversions
Some life insurance policies have an accelerated death benefit rider that pays part of the death benefit early for a chronic or terminal illness. Policies can also sometimes be sold through a life settlement, or converted into a long-term care benefit account, in exchange for a share of the face value. Compare offers carefully and check how payouts affect Medicaid eligibility.
7. Bridge loans
A short-term bridge loan can cover memory care costs while you wait for a home to sell or for VA benefits to be approved. Interest rates are higher than a mortgage, so use these only when a clear repayment source is coming.
8. What Medicare does and does not pay
Medicare does not cover long-term custodial care, which includes memory care room, board and daily personal care. It still pays for doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs under Part D, some therapy and hospice care while your loved one lives in memory care. Read does Medicare pay for assisted living for dementia for more.
Is memory care tax deductible?
Often, yes, and this can be worth thousands of dollars. Under IRS Publication 502, you can deduct the cost of qualified long-term care services as a medical expense. These are services, including personal care, that a chronically ill individual needs, provided under a plan of care prescribed by a licensed health care practitioner.
A person counts as chronically ill if a licensed health care practitioner has certified, within the previous 12 months, that they either:
- cannot perform at least two activities of daily living (eating, toileting, transferring, bathing, dressing, continence) without substantial help for at least 90 days, or
- need substantial supervision to be protected from threats to health and safety due to severe cognitive impairment.
Most memory care residents meet the second test. For nursing homes and similar care facilities, Publication 502 says meals and lodging can be included when the main reason for being there is medical care. If the reason is personal, only the medical or nursing care portion counts. Ask the community for an itemized statement that separates care from room and board.
Key points:
- You can only deduct total medical expenses above 7.5% of adjusted gross income, and you must itemize.
- An adult child may be able to deduct a parent’s memory care costs if they pay them and the parent qualifies as their dependent for medical expense purposes.
- Premiums for tax-qualified long-term care insurance are deductible up to age-based limits. For 2025 returns the limits run from $480 (age 40 or under) to $6,020 (age 71 or over).
Tax rules are detailed, so talk to a tax professional before filing.
Tips to lower memory care costs
- Compare at least three communities. Prices for similar care in the same city can differ widely.
- Consider a shared room. Companion suites usually cost less than a private room.
- Ask about move-in specials. Communities with open units may reduce or waive the community fee or offer a discounted first month.
- Choose the right pricing model. If needs are low, tiered or a la carte may save money now; if needs are high or rising, all-inclusive can be cheaper over time.
- Look slightly outside the city. Suburban and rural communities are often cheaper.
- Apply for benefits early. VA and Medicaid applications can take months.
- Claim the tax deduction. Get the chronically ill certification and plan of care in writing.
- Use respite or adult day care first. If your loved one is in earlier stages, home care and respite care plus adult day programs may delay a full-time move.
Questions to ask about price increases
The move-in price is only the start. Rates usually rise every year and when care needs increase. Before signing, ask:
- How much has the monthly rate gone up in each of the last three years?
- How much notice do you give before a rate increase? (Many states require written notice; ask what your state requires.)
- What triggers a move to a higher care level, and how much does each level cost?
- How often are residents reassessed, and can families attend?
- If my loved one runs out of private funds, can they stay? Do you accept Medicaid waivers?
- Are there charges for hospice coordination, hospital returns or extra supplies?
- What happens to the rate if we move to a shared room?
- Is any part of the community fee refundable?
Find memory care that fits your budget
Take our free quiz to compare care types and get matched with memory care options near you.
Take the free care quizFAQs
What is the average monthly cost for memory care?
A Place for Mom’s 2026 report puts the national median at $6,690 a month, up from $6,450 in 2025. Costs range widely by state, from roughly $5,000 in lower-cost states to over $12,000 in the most expensive.
Why is memory care so expensive?
It requires more staff around the clock, dementia-specific training, secured buildings and structured activities throughout the day. These add roughly 20% to 30% to the cost of standard assisted living.
Is memory care cheaper than a nursing home?
Usually, yes. CareScout’s 2025 median for a semi-private nursing home room is $315 a day, about $9,580 a month, compared with a memory care median of $6,690 a month. But Medicaid can cover the full cost of a nursing home for people who qualify, which it does not do for memory care.
Does Medicare pay for memory care?
No. Medicare does not cover long-term custodial care or room and board in memory care. It covers medical services, prescriptions under Part D and hospice while your loved one lives there.
Does Medicaid pay for memory care?
Not for room and board. Many states have Medicaid waivers that pay for care services in assisted living and memory care, but eligibility, coverage and waitlists vary by state.
Is memory care tax deductible?
Often. If a licensed health care practitioner certifies the resident as chronically ill (including needing supervision due to severe cognitive impairment) and care follows a plan of care, qualified long-term care costs can count as medical expenses under IRS Publication 502. You must itemize, and only expenses above 7.5% of AGI count.
How much does memory care cost per year?
At the 2026 national median of $6,690 a month, a year of memory care costs about $80,280, before annual increases and extra fees.
Do memory care prices go up every year?
Typically, yes. A Place for Mom’s memory care median rose 3.7% from 2025 to 2026. Individual communities may raise rates by more, and care level increases add to that. Ask for the community’s rate history in writing.
Can I use VA benefits to pay for memory care?
Yes. Eligible wartime veterans and surviving spouses can receive a VA pension with Aid and Attendance. Effective December 1, 2025, the maximum is $29,093 a year for a veteran with no dependents, and memory care costs can be deducted from countable income.
What if we run out of money for memory care?
Ask early whether the community accepts Medicaid waivers. If not, you may need to move to a community that does, or to a Medicaid-certified nursing home. Our guide on paying for assisted living with no money covers more options.
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