When you're researching assisted living, it can be frustrating when the cost comes up. You might see a national average in one place, then get a completely different number when you get a quote from a specific community. Often, there's no explanation for the gap. If that feels stressful and familiar, it's not just you. Cost is usually the first practical question families ask once this search gets real, and for good reason. Your loved one deserves care that meets their needs and supports a happy life, but it still has to be affordable for as long as they need it. This guide focuses on:
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The cost of assisted living right now and what it includes
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What impacts the price, and how to pay for assisted living
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The questions you should ask about pricing when you tour an assisted living community
What Does the Cost of Assisted Living Actually Include?
Most assisted living rates include a suite, three daily meals, housekeeping and laundry, an emergency call system, and a base level of personal care support from Care Partners.
Where communities differ is where they draw the line beyond the basics.
Some price additional care as a separate tier stacked on top of the base rate. Others build more support directly in.
The takeaway: communities can quote similar numbers and mean very different things by them, so it's worth asking what's included before deciding on value.
At Highgate, our Full Care for All approach means care is customized for every Resident's needs and preference. Our costs reflect real support given, not a rigid tier system.
How Much Does Assisted Living Cost Right Now?
The national median cost of assisted living is $6,200 a month, or $74,400 a year, according to the 2025 CareScout Cost of Care Survey. That's an increase of 5% over 2024, though the pace has slowed compared to the double-digit jumps seen in recent years.
Treat that median as context, not a quote. Actual pricing depends on your state and local rates. In reality, only a community-specific quote can give you a realistic expectation for what you'll pay.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Assisted Living?
Four factors account for most of the differences in assisted living prices between communities: level of care needed, room type, location, and amenities.
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Level of Care Needed: A base rate typically covers basic support. Additional care tiers reflect higher Care Partner involvement. You’ll pay more as care needs increase - for example, if a Resident needs extensive help with bathing, dressing, medication management, or mobility.
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Room Type: A private suite costs more than a shared or semi-private one. At The Manor, Highgate offers a range of suite sizes and styles. Families can match the space to their budget instead of choosing from limited options.
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Location: Because of regulations, labor costs, and property costs, urban communities and those in higher cost-of-living regions are often more expensive than rural ones.
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Amenities and Services: Dining quality, activity programming, and building features/finishes all shape the price.
At Highgate, we build made-from-scratch dining, weekly spa access, and daily programming through our Life Enhancement Program into the experience - they're not paid extras.
Is Assisted Living Cheaper Than In-Home Care or a Nursing Home?
Often, yes, once you compare total hours and services side by side.
The national median for in-home non-medical caregiving is $35 an hour - that's $80,080 a year at 44 hours a week.
Nursing home care, on the other hand, runs higher.The national median is $315 a day for a semi-private room ($114,975 a year) and $355 a day for a private room ($129,575 a year).
Line those figures up against assisted living's $6,200 median, and it's easy to see why many families find it the more affordable option once full-time support is factored in.
Does Memory Care Cost More Than Assisted Living?
Yes. Memory care typically costs more because it requires higher staffing ratios and specialized dementia training. The national median for memory care is $6,690 a month, $490 above the assisted living median.
That's why Highgate's memory care neighborhood, The Cottage, carries a different price point than The Manor. It's a separate setting with its own team and programming, built around the needs of Residents living with dementia.
How Highgate Prices Personalized Care
Highgate's Full Care for All philosophy means we match a Resident's assisted living cost per month to what they actually need instead of a rigid tier system.
Essentially, even if two Residents share a suite, they could have different care costs if their care plans are different.
That same principle shapesCouples Care, which lets couples share a suite or live in neighboring suites across The Manor and The Cottage, with cost structured around each Resident's care plan rather than one combined rate.
It also shapes Respite Stays, which offer a short-term, all-inclusive daily rate. A respite stay is a low-commitment way to see real costs firsthand before a permanent move.
How Do You Pay for Assisted Living?
Most families draw funds from more than one place: Medicaid, VA benefits, long-term care insurance, and private pay.
Medicaid doesn't cover room and board in assisted living, though some states have programs that help cover personal care services within an assisted living setting. Coverage varies by state, so it's worth checking your state's specific program.
VA Aid & Attendance is a monthly benefit for eligible veterans and surviving spouses that can absorb some of the cost.
Private long-term care insurance coverage depends on the policy specifics: its daily or monthly benefit, its elimination period, and whether assisted living is covered.
Every family is unique, but most combine private pay, savings, Social Security, and a pension to pay for assisted living cost.
What Should You Ask About Pricing on a Tour?
Five questions will tell you more than any price sheet: what's included in the base rate, how care tiers are assessed and priced, whether there's a move-in fee, how often rates increase, and whether a trial stay is available.
| What to Ask | Why It's Worth Asking |
|---|---|
| What's included in the base monthly rate? | Some communities offer more care (or less) in the base price. Understanding both what's included and what the Resident needs will help ensure you're set at the right level of care and are quoted correctly. |
| How are care tiers assessed and priced? | Rates typically move up as a Resident needs help with more activities of daily living, so understanding the process avoids surprises later. |
| Is there a move-in or community fee? | Upfront fees aren't always disclosed upfront and can significantly increase the overall cost. |
| How often do rates increase, and by how much? | Annual increases are common across the industry, so knowing the pattern helps with longer-term budgeting. |
| Is a respite or trial stay available at a different rate? | A short-term stay will help you experience real costs and fit before a permanent move. |
See What Assisted Living Actually Costs at Highgate
A national median can be useful as a starting point if you're looking for an assisted living community, but it's likely not what a community will quote you.
There are many pieces of the puzzle that lead to the final number.
In the end, the number matters, but what it buys you and your loved one matters more. The clearest way to see both is to get a community-specific quote, built around the care your loved one actually needs.
Schedule a tour at Highgate to get a real number for your situation, or contact us with questions along the way.
If you're not ready for either yet, our guide, How to Pay for Assisted Living Costs, is a good place to start.
