Quick answer: In 2026, the national median cost of a nursing home is about $9,581 per month for a semi-private room and about $10,798–$10,978 per month for a private room, according to CareScout’s Cost of Care Survey. That works out to roughly $115,000–$130,000 per year. Costs vary significantly by state, Texas runs well below the national median, at about $5,627–$5,808 per month for a semi-private room.
If a monthly bill in that range sounds overwhelming, you’re not alone, this is one of the largest expenses most families ever face, and the number alone doesn’t tell you what’s actually included, how it compares by state, or how most families actually pay for it. Here’s the full picture.
Senior Care Cost Information Reviewed By: New Day Lifestyle for Seniors Editorial Team | Last Updated: 2026
National Nursing Home Costs in 2026
| Room Type | Monthly Cost (National Median) | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Semi-private room | ~$9,581/month | ~$114,972/year |
| Private room | ~$10,798–$10,978/month | ~$129,576–$131,736/year |
These are medians, not maximums or minimums, the actual price at any specific facility depends heavily on location, the level of care needed, and whether the room is shared or private. Costs have also been rising by roughly 3% annually in recent years, so a facility’s rate today will likely be somewhat higher a year from now.
Nursing Home Costs in Texas (and the DFW Area)
Texas is one of the more affordable states in the country for nursing home care:
| Room Type | Texas Monthly Median |
|---|---|
| Semi-private room | ~$5,627–$5,808/month |
| Private room | ~$7,519/month |
That’s roughly 40–45% below the national median, a meaningful difference for families budgeting long-term care. Costs do vary within the state, though: pricing in larger metro areas like Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, and Austin tends to run above the statewide median, while smaller markets often come in below it. Families in McKinney, Plano, Garland, and the broader DFW area should expect pricing closer to the metro-area range than the statewide low end, though it still generally remains well under the national average.
What’s Actually Included in the Monthly Cost?
A nursing home’s base monthly rate typically includes:
- Room and board
- 24-hour nursing supervision
- Meals and snacks
- Assistance with daily activities (bathing, dressing, mobility)
- Basic housekeeping and laundry
- Medication administration
- Access to social and recreational activities
Commonly billed separately, on top of the base rate:
- Physical, occupational, or speech therapy beyond what’s covered by insurance
- A private room upgrade (if the base rate assumes semi-private)
- Specialized memory care support
- Incontinence supplies, personal care items, and salon services
- Transportation to outside medical appointments
- Cable, phone, or Wi-Fi in some facilities
Always ask a facility directly for a full breakdown of what’s bundled into the quoted rate versus billed as an add-on, this is one of the most common sources of billing surprises for families.
Nursing Home Cost vs. Other Senior Care Options
| Care Type | Approx. National Monthly Cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Nursing home (semi-private) | ~$9,581 |
| Nursing home (private room) | ~$10,798–$10,978 |
| Assisted living | ~$6,200 |
| In-home care (part-time) | Varies widely by hours needed |
Nursing homes cost roughly 1.5x more than assisted living nationally, which reflects the higher level of medical staffing and 24-hour skilled supervision nursing homes provide. This is one reason families often explore whether a lower level of care, like assisted living or a residential care home, might genuinely fit their loved one’s needs before assuming a nursing home is required.
How Do Most Families Actually Pay for This?
Very few families pay the full monthly rate entirely out of pocket for long. In practice, payment usually comes from one or a combination of:
- Medicare : Covers short-term skilled nursing rehabilitation only (up to 100 days per benefit period, with cost-sharing after day 20), not ongoing custodial stays.
- Medicaid : The largest single payer of long-term nursing home care nationally, covering roughly two-thirds of nursing home residents who meet their state’s income and asset eligibility rules.
- VA benefits : Some veterans and surviving spouses qualify for monthly Aid & Attendance payments that can be applied toward the cost of care.
- Long-term care insurance : Coverage and daily benefit limits vary significantly by policy.
- Private pay : Personal savings or family contributions, often used as a bridge before Medicaid eligibility begins.
Because the base monthly rate rarely reflects what a family actually pays out of pocket, understanding your specific payment sources matters just as much as knowing the sticker price.
Why Do Nursing Home Costs Vary So Much by Location?
A few consistent factors drive the state-by-state and metro-by-metro differences:
- Local wages : Nursing homes are staffing-heavy, and labor costs are the single biggest driver of price differences between states.
- Cost of living : Real estate, utilities, and insurance costs all factor into the base rate.
- Regulatory environment : Staffing requirements and compliance costs differ by state.
- Supply and demand : Areas with fewer available beds relative to demand tend to price higher.
This is why a semi-private room can cost under $6,000/month in parts of Texas while the same room type runs well over $20,000/month in a high-cost state like Alaska or Massachusetts.
How New Day Lifestyle for Seniors Can Help
Understanding the average cost is a useful starting point, but the number that actually matters is what a specific community, near your family, at the right level of care, is going to cost. At New Day Lifestyle for Seniors, we help families throughout McKinney, Texas, and the greater Dallas–Fort Worth area get real, current pricing from local communities, not a national average, based on the actual level of care your loved one needs. Our placement guidance is completely free to families, and we’re happy to help you understand what’s realistically achievable on your budget before you start touring communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much do nursing homes cost per month in 2026?
Nationally, nursing homes cost a median of about $9,581 per month for a semi-private room and $10,798–$10,978 per month for a private room in 2026, according to CareScout’s Cost of Care Survey. Costs vary significantly by state and metro area.
2. How much do nursing homes cost per month in Texas?
In Texas, nursing homes cost a median of about $5,627–$5,808 per month for a semi-private room and about $7,519 per month for a private room, roughly 40–45% below the national median, though pricing in metro areas like Dallas–Fort Worth typically runs above the statewide figure.
3. What’s included in the monthly cost of a nursing home?
The base rate typically includes room and board, 24-hour nursing supervision, meals, help with daily activities, housekeeping, laundry, and medication administration. Services like extra therapy, private rooms, memory care support, and transportation are often billed separately.
4. Why are nursing homes so much more expensive than assisted living?
Nursing homes provide 24-hour licensed nursing supervision and a higher level of medical care than assisted living, which drives significantly higher staffing costs. Nationally, nursing homes cost roughly 1.5 times more per month than assisted living.
5. Does the cost of a nursing home go up every year?
Yes, generally. Nursing home costs have been rising at roughly 3% per year in recent data, driven mainly by rising labor costs and demand for skilled nursing staff.
6. Do most families pay the full nursing home cost out of pocket?
No. Most long-term nursing home care is paid through Medicaid for those who qualify, short-term stays are sometimes covered by Medicare, and some families use VA benefits, long-term care insurance, or private pay as a bridge before Medicaid eligibility begins.
7. Is a private room always more expensive than a semi-private room?
Yes, typically. Private rooms cost more than semi-private rooms in nearly every state, and Medicaid generally only covers semi-private rooms unless a private room is medically necessary.
8. How can I find out the exact cost of a nursing home near me?
National and state averages are a useful starting point, but exact pricing varies by facility, room type, and level of care needed. Contacting facilities directly or working with a local senior living advisor is the most accurate way to get current, real pricing for your area.
Sources
Buddy Insurance | Cost of Care Guide: Understanding the Cost of Care, Useful supporting resource for readers researching long-term care costs, planning, and affordability.
Medicaid.gov | Nursing Facilities: Medicaid.gov, Nursing Facilities, Supports information about Medicaid-funded nursing facility care and eligibility considerations.