Core Insights - The average annual cost of nursing home care in the U.S. is around $10,000 per month in 2024, with significant state-by-state variations [3][4] - Texas is identified as the most affordable state for long-term care, while Alaska is the most expensive [4] Cost Analysis - The average annual cost for a shared room in a nursing home is approximately $111,325 ($9,150 monthly), and for a private room, it is about $127,750 ($10,500 monthly) [4] - In Alaska, the annual cost can reach up to $364,453, translating to $29,955 per month, while in Texas, the average cost for a private room is $85,045 annually ($6,990 monthly) and for a shared room is $65,700 annually ($5,400 monthly) [4][5] Insurance Coverage - Medicare only covers nursing home costs for the first 20 days at 100%, after which families are responsible for the expenses, with a copay of $209.50 per day from day 21 to day 100 [6][8] - Medicare is primarily designed for short-term rehabilitation rather than long-term care, which impacts families' financial planning for elder care [9]

Fact checked by Vikki Velasquez Halfpoint Images / Getty Images Cost is increasingly a factor in determining whether to put older family members in a nursing home. Key Takeaways Americans can expect to pay anywhere from about $5,000 to $30,000 per month for nursing home care, depending on the market. Medicare covers 100% of the costs of nursing home care for only 20 days. After that, families must handle the costs. There are steps families can take to try to shield themselves from these high costs, b ...