Nursing home and long-term care costs in California
CareScout's 2025 survey median for a semi-private nursing home room in California is $146,000 a year ($12,167 a month) — 27% above the national median of $114,975.
Median costs in California (2025)
| Setting | Annual median | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing home — semi-private room | $146,000 | $12,167 |
| Nursing home — private room | $182,135 | $15,178 |
| Assisted living community | $84,000 | $7,000 |
| Adult day health care | $24,440 | $2,037 |
| Homemaker services (44 h/week) | $91,520 | $7,627 |
| In-home caregiver (hourly median) | $40/hour | — |
What drives cost in California
State medians reflect local wages, staffing requirements and demand. Within California, urban facilities usually cost more than rural ones, private rooms cost more than semi-private, and memory care or skilled nursing costs more than basic assisted living. The median is a starting point: ask each facility for its complete fee schedule, including medication management, therapy, laundry, transport and any entrance or community fee.
What the survey does not include
The figures are private-pay medians for the base service. Nursing home rates generally exclude medications, specialised therapies and transport; assisted living rates often exclude a la carte care charges. Long-term insurance, Medicaid and VA benefits can change what a family actually pays — see the payment guides below.
Nursing homes in California
Compare the local facilities and their CMS ratings: all certified nursing homes in California.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing home cost in California?
The 2025 CareScout survey median for a semi-private room in California is $146,000 a year ($12,167 a month); a private room is $182,135. Actual prices vary by facility and contract.
How much is assisted living in California?
The median assisted living rate in California is $84,000 a year ($7,000 a month), excluding a la carte care charges.
How much does in-home care cost in California?
The median non-medical caregiver rate in California is $40 per hour; homemaker services at 44 hours a week cost $91,520 a year.
Written and maintained by the US Nursing Homes data team · last reviewed 2026-10-24 · sources and methodology.