How Much Does In-Home Care Cost in 2024? A State-by-State Guide

The following table provides the median hourly rates for in-home care in each state, according our 2024 Cost of Long-Term Care and Senior Living Report. While most people tend to look for averages when researching costs, we prefer to use median costs. A median, or middle value, isn’t affected by very high or very low rates, which give families a better idea of what they can expect to pay.

* A Place for Mom does not have home care cost data in these states.

Can you afford home care?

Cost of living, geography, and specific regulations can effect on the cost of home care in each state. Maine is the most expensive state for home care, while Louisiana and Mississippi have the lowest home care costs in the U.S.^[01]

The following maps highlight the 10 most and least expensive states for home care.

How much your family will pay for home care depends on a few factors, including what home care services your relative needs and how often, and where they live.

Care needs

Before beginning your search for in-home care, consider how much help your loved one requires. Do they live independently but want assistance with a few chores? Or do they require full-time help due to changes in physical or cognitive abilities? These types of questions are important to understand the services your loved one needs.

Agencies can help you understand what your loved one needs if you’re unsure. They’ll perform a care assessment and work with your family to develop a personalized plan of care. This plan might include companionship, homemaker services, hands-on help with activities of daily living (ADLs), like dressing and bathing, or some combination of these. Services that require a higher level of training, such as dementia care, or that are provided more frequently, such as live-in care, may cost more.

Location

The cost of home care is often dictated by where a senior lives. For example, if they live somewhere with a high cost of living, they should expect to pay higher rates. The opposite is true for seniors who live in areas with a lower cost of living. State regulations also affect the cost of care — several states require that agencies and/or their caregivers are certified.

Hourly minimums

Most home care aides and agencies charge by the hour. They often have a minimum number of contracted hours — generally two to four hours per day or seven hours per week — to cover transportation and staffing costs.

Some home care agencies will offer contracts for weekly or monthly care if a family determines their elderly loved one needs significant assistance on a regular basis.

Read more:How to Pay for Home Care: Costs, Care Options, and Financial Resources

Some common home care schedules and costs are listed below. These price estimates are based on A Place for Mom’s national median in-home care cost of $30 an hour.^[01]

• Care for 7 hours a week: $910 a month. Healthy, independent seniors may be able to get all the care they need from a few short visits each week. Housework, companionship, meal preparation, and cleaning can be accomplished in this time frame, generally for less than $1,000 a month. Seven hours per week is typically the minimum requirement for home care agencies, though some have higher or lower thresholds.
• Care for 15 hours a week: $1,950 a month. A two-to-three-hour daily check-in can benefit seniors who need more care but are independently mobile and cognitively sound. For example, morning visits could provide necessary assistance with grooming, dressing, and preparing meals for the day.
• Care for 30 hours a week: $3,900 a month. A 30-hour week may be ideal for seniors living with family caregivers who work. It’s also ideal for seniors who prefer daily companionship and social stimulation. Thirty hours a week equates to six hours a day for five days — time a senior would otherwise be alone while their family caregiver is working.
• Care for 44 hours a week: $5,720 a month. This care plan can provide coverage for a family caregiver who works full time and doesn’t want their senior loved one to be alone. An aide could assist with all ADLs, including toileting, dining, and bathing. For an aging loved one who has a chronic condition that requires careful supervision, this may be an ideal schedule.

Agencies and private caregivers have different price structures for more intensive schedules like 24/7 home care and live-in home care. The costs of these types of care can vary greatly.

Home care can end up being more expensive than other senior care options. Assisted living may be a better option than home care for seniors who require frequent support with ADLs and round-the-clock supervision.

Read more:Cost of Home Care vs. Nursing Homes: What’s the Difference and How to Pay

Expert advice for affordable home care

The cost of home health care after a surgery or illness depends on the amount of care a senior needs and their insurance coverage. Home health care differs from home care as care is provided by trained medical professionals. Because short-term home health care services are typically prescribed by a doctor, Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance plans will usually cover at least some of these costs if a senior meets certain criteria.

Medically necessary services, such as injections, wound care, and physical and occupational therapy, are usually covered in addition to prescribed durable medical equipment.

Nonmedical services such as assistance with ADLs and other homemaking tasks may be covered if these services are part of a patient’s prescribed care plan.

Read more:After-Surgery Home Care: Tips for Seniors and Caregivers

By starting home care early, seniors may be able to age in place longer without worrying about social isolation, poor nutrition, or household responsibilities. Families looking for in-home caregivers have two options: hiring a private, independent caregiver or using a licensed home care agency. There are benefits of and drawbacks to each, but both options are usually paid for privately.

Finding the care option that fits your loved one’s needs can be a challenge. If you’re still unsure of what is the right care type for your senior loved one, reach out to one of our Senior Living Advisors. They will listen to your concerns and provide information on a variety of local care options that fit your family’s budget, including in-home care, independent living, assisted living, and memory care.