How Much Does Long-Term Care Insurance Cost?
Updated for 2026 — national average costs with state-by-state breakdowns
What Does Long-Term Care Insurance Include?
Long-term care insurance covers the cost of nursing homes, assisted living, home health aides, and adult daycare if you can no longer perform daily activities independently. Policies typically pay $150-$350/day.
The national average cost for long-term care insurance is $250 per month. Most homeowners pay between $100 and $600, though costs can vary significantly based on your location, the scope of work, and other factors outlined below.
What Affects the Price?
Age
Age 50: $100-$200/month. Age 60: $200-$400/month. Age 70: $400-$800+/month
Coverage
$150/day for 3 years: $100-$250/month. $250/day for 5 years: $200-$500/month. Unlimited: $400-$800+/month
Key Cost Factors
- ✓Age at purchase
- ✓Daily benefit amount
- ✓Benefit period
- ✓Elimination period
- ✓Inflation protection
💡 Tips to Save Money
- 1.Buy in your 50s — premiums double every 10 years of delayed purchase
- 2.Couples discounts save 20-30%
- 3.Shared-care policies let couples share a pool of benefits
- 4.Hybrid life/LTC policies offer both death benefit and LTC coverage
📈 Long-Term Care Insurance Cost Trends (2020–2024)
Prices have increased +17.9% over the last 5 years
| Year | National Avg | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $212 | — |
| 2021 | $221 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | $235 | +6.3% |
| 2023 | $242 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $250 | +3.3% |
Based on national averages adjusted for annual inflation. Actual costs vary by location and project scope.
Long-Term Care Insurance Cost by State
Costs vary significantly by state due to labor rates, cost of living, and local market conditions. Click any state for a detailed breakdown.
| State | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $82 | $205 | $492 |
| Alaska | $128 | $320 | $768 |
| Arizona | $95 | $238 | $570 |
| Arkansas | $80 | $200 | $480 |
| California | $135 | $338 | $810 |
| Colorado | $108 | $270 | $648 |
| Connecticut | $122 | $305 | $732 |
| Delaware | $105 | $263 | $630 |
| Florida | $98 | $245 | $588 |
| Georgia | $90 | $225 | $540 |
| Hawaii | $142 | $355 | $852 |
| Idaho | $92 | $230 | $552 |
| Illinois | $105 | $263 | $630 |
| Indiana | $88 | $220 | $528 |
| Iowa | $86 | $215 | $516 |
| Kansas | $85 | $213 | $510 |
| Kentucky | $84 | $210 | $504 |
| Louisiana | $87 | $218 | $522 |
| Maine | $102 | $255 | $612 |
| Maryland | $115 | $288 | $690 |
| Massachusetts | $130 | $325 | $780 |
| Michigan | $92 | $230 | $552 |
| Minnesota | $102 | $255 | $612 |
| Mississippi | $78 | $195 | $468 |
| Missouri | $87 | $218 | $522 |
| Montana | $95 | $238 | $570 |
| Nebraska | $88 | $220 | $528 |
| Nevada | $102 | $255 | $612 |
| New Hampshire | $112 | $280 | $672 |
| New Jersey | $125 | $313 | $750 |
| New Mexico | $90 | $225 | $540 |
| New York | $132 | $330 | $792 |
| North Carolina | $90 | $225 | $540 |
| North Dakota | $90 | $225 | $540 |
| Ohio | $90 | $225 | $540 |
| Oklahoma | $83 | $208 | $498 |
| Oregon | $110 | $275 | $660 |
| Pennsylvania | $102 | $255 | $612 |
| Rhode Island | $115 | $288 | $690 |
| South Carolina | $87 | $218 | $522 |
| South Dakota | $85 | $213 | $510 |
| Tennessee | $86 | $215 | $516 |
| Texas | $93 | $233 | $558 |
| Utah | $95 | $238 | $570 |
| Vermont | $108 | $270 | $648 |
| Virginia | $105 | $263 | $630 |
| Washington | $115 | $288 | $690 |
| West Virginia | $80 | $200 | $480 |
| Wisconsin | $94 | $235 | $564 |
| Wyoming | $92 | $230 | $552 |
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should I buy long-term care insurance?
The sweet spot is ages 55-65. Buying earlier means lower premiums but more years of paying. After 65, premiums increase dramatically and you may not qualify if health issues arise.
🏙️ Long-Term Care Insurance Cost by City
Compare long-term care insurance costs in the most popular US cities:
View all 219 cities →
Related Cost Guides
💬 What Did You Pay?
Real costs reported by homeowners for Long-Term Care Insurance
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