Because of their homelike environment, residential care homes — also known as board and care homes or group homes — are an attractive option for families considering senior living. Located in residential neighborhoods, these living options are private houses that have been modified for senior care needs. The care services are similar to those provided in larger assisted living communities, but care homes typically have 10 or fewer residents. Not all care homes are licensed, which means that unlicensed home are not held to the same legal standards as licensed care facilities. Explore the costs of residential care homes in your state.
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The national monthly median cost of rent in a care home is $4,800 for a private room and $3,700 for a semi-private room.[01]
You might expect that the cost of living in a residential care home would be less than an assisted living community, but care homes have a wide range of prices. As with assisted living communities, location can affect how much you pay.
Typically, a care home in a larger city will be more expensive than those suburban or rural areas. Care homes also have additional fees depending on how they’re licensed and the types of services they offer. For example, a care home may charge a medication fee for medication administration services. The national median medication fee is $200 per month.[01]
You can find more cost information for your loved one’s area in the state-by-state section below.
Each care home is unique, but most offer services and amenities that are similar to what you might find in an assisted living community.
The following are examples of general services you can expect to be included in the monthly bill at a care home:
The monthly fee also includes the cost of personal care assistance that your parent may need, such as help with the following daily tasks:
As with other senior living communities, the overall cost of a care home will depend on the amount of assistance your loved one needs. Some seniors only need minimal help, while others may need more significant hands-on assistance throughout the day and even overnight.
Some care homes offer 24-hour caregiver assistance, while others have limited assistance for residents at night. If your parent needs an on-site caregiver to help them at night, this can affect your monthly bill.
Medication is another aspect of care that may cost more. Some communities have visiting nurses to help with administration, but there may be an additional charge for the service.
While activities and outings are included in the monthly fees at many care homes, some may charge extra.
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The following table provides the monthly median cost of rent in a care home in each U.S. state, as calculated from A Place for Mom’s proprietary brand partners.
| State | Private room | Semi-private room | Community fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama* | $2,726 | $2,852 | – |
| Alaska* | $6,000 | $5,000 | – |
| Arizona | $4,000 | $3,000 | $1,000 |
| Arkansas* | – | – | – |
| California | $5,000 | $4,000 | $800 |
| Colorado | $5,900 | $5,200 | $1,500 |
| Connecticut* | $3,415 | $3,030 | – |
| Delaware* | – | – | – |
| Florida | $4,000 | $3,000 | $1,500 |
| Georgia | $3,000 | $2,400 | $500 |
| Hawaii* | $5,000 | $4,473 | – |
| Idaho* | $4,500 | $3,006 | $2,000 |
| Illinois* | $4,125 | $4,200 | $1,500 |
| Indiana* | – | – | – |
| Iowa* | $4,000 | – | – |
| Kansas* | $7,000 | $6,000 | $1,500 |
| Kentucky* | $3,800 | – | $1,325 |
| Louisiana* | $5,400 | $4,200 | – |
| Maine* | $4,500 | $4,500 | – |
| Maryland | $4,100 | $3,450 | $3,000 |
| Massachusetts* | $4,500 | $4,000 | – |
| Michigan | $4,200 | $3,650 | $750 |
| Minnesota | $6,500 | $6,000 | $500 |
| Mississippi* | $3,400 | $2,300 | – |
| Missouri* | $3,100 | $2,750 | – |
| Montana* | $3,500 | – | – |
| Nebraska* | – | – | – |
| Nevada* | $7,500 | – | $3,500 |
| New Hampshire* | $4,013 | $3,650 | – |
| New Jersey* | $4,500 | $3,000 | $1,600 |
| New Mexico | $5,500 | $3,500 | $1,500 |
| New York | $4,500 | $3,500 | $1,000 |
| North Carolina | $6,600 | $5,600 | $5,600 |
| North Dakota* | – | – | – |
| Ohio | $3,090 | $2,425 | $500 |
| Oklahoma* | $6,000 | – | – |
| Oregon | $4,000 | $4,000 | $875 |
| Pennsylvania* | $4,200 | $1,550 | $5,000 |
| Rhode Island* | – | – | – |
| South Carolina* | – | – | – |
| South Dakota* | – | – | – |
| Tennessee* | $4,800 | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| Texas | $4,500 | $3,800 | $2,000 |
| Utah* | $2,800 | – | $500 |
| Vermont* | – | – | – |
| Virginia | $5,800 | $5,000 | $4,750 |
| Washington | $7,000 | $6,000 | $1,000 |
| West Virginia* | – | – | – |
| Wisconsin | $4,650 | $4,500 | $1,500 |
| Wyoming* | – | – | – |
*These states have fewer than 10 communities reporting cost data.
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As you tour care homes with your loved one, ask the following questions to learn more about their costs:
Little data is available on unlicensed care home costs, but each state has its own rules and regulations about licensing and the type of care a home can provide. You should ask any home you tour whether they’re licensed. This is an important point to keep in mind, because while some unlicensed care homes operate legally, many don’t.[02]
Unlicensed care homes don’t face the same scrutiny that licensed care homes do, so quality of care can suffer. Without regular inspections to make sure state regulations are being met, unlicensed care home may be more inclined to cut corners.
The bottom line is that there are risks when choosing an unlicensed care home — even if it’s operating legally. Unlicensed care homes tend to serve an especially vulnerable group of individuals who often have fewer options available to them. Research conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services found the following conditions in unlicensed care homes:[02]
As you consider residential care homes, it’s a good idea to review the licensing laws in your state. If you think your loved one or another senior is living in an unsafe situation, you should contact your state’s Health and Human Services office or Adult Protective Services.
While you may find assisted living communities in your loved one’s area with relative ease, care homes may be a little harder to locate given their smaller size.
If you’d like some help connecting with care homes for your parent, consider working with A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors. Our experts can guide you through choosing the right senior living option for your loved one. They’ll take into account their care needs, lifestyle, and budget to help find a community that’s a great fit — all at no cost to your family.
A Place for Mom Proprietary Data. (2023). Community room prices and fees.
Greene, A. M., Lepore, M., Lux, L., Porter, K., & Vreeland, E. (2015, August 31). Understanding unlicensed care homes: Final report. ASPE.hhs.gov.
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