Elderly Care Cost Per Hour in 2026: A State-by-State Guide for Family Caregivers

What Is the National Median Cost of Home Care in 2026?

If you are starting to research home care costs for a parent or spouse, the first number you will encounter is the national median hourly rate. In 2026, that figure sits between $34 and $35 per hour for nonmedical home care, depending on which survey you reference. A Place for Mom's 2026 survey reports a national median of $34 per hour, while CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey (published in 2026) puts the median at $35 per hour. The slight difference reflects variations in survey methodology and data collection timing, but both point to the same reality: the national average has risen roughly 3% year over year from $34 in 2024.

While the national median is a useful starting point, it can be misleading for budget planning. The cost of home care varies dramatically by state — from as low as $23 per hour in Louisiana to as high as $44 per hour in South Dakota, according to data from SeniorLiving.org and A Place for Mom. That is nearly a 2x difference between the lowest- and highest-cost states, which means your local market rate — not the national average — is what matters for your family's budget.

Home Care Costs by State: The Full 2026 Table

The table below presents median hourly rates for nonmedical home care in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The primary source is A Place for Mom's detailed state-by-state survey (updated June 3, 2026), cross-referenced with SeniorLiving.org/CareScout figures where available. Rates reflect what you would pay a licensed home care agency, not an independent caregiver hired directly.