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In-home care costs, 2026
A caregiver is priced by the hour. Full time, it adds up to more than assisted living, so it pays to plan the hours.
CareScout Cost of Care Survey, read Oct 2, 2026. See source
CareScout's national median is $35 an hour. Here is what common schedules add up to.
| Hours of help | A week | A month (about 4.33 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 hours a week1 | $350 | About $1,516 |
| 20 hours a week1 | $700 | About $3,033 |
| 44 hours a week (CareScout's full-time basis)1 | $1,540 | About $6,673 |
| Assisted living, for comparison1 | Not stated by the source | $6,200 (2025 median) |
Our arithmetic on CareScout's national median rate; local rates differ widely. Agencies often set minimum visit lengths; ask.
CareScout's 2025 survey puts the national median for a non-medical caregiver at $35 per hour. At 44 hours a week for 52 weeks that is $80,080 a year, or about $6,673 a month1. A Place for Mom's own data gives $34 per hour2, and Caring.com, citing the 2024 CareScout survey, about $33 an hour or $6,292 a month3.
What it is. Non-medical care means help with bathing, dressing, meals, chores and companionship. Skilled nursing at home is a separate, medical service. A Place for Mom says most families pay for non-medical home care out of pocket2.
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Per visit and per week. Short visits can cost more per hour.
It changes who handles taxes and insurance.
Ask how a backup caregiver is arranged.
Tasks, schedule and how changes are priced, in writing.
Part time, usually. Full time at the 2025 median ($6,673 a month at 44 hours a week) it costs more than the assisted living median of $6,2001.
No. Home care is non-medical help with daily life. Home health care is skilled medical care ordered by a clinician.
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Costs are published medians or list prices on the date we read them. The provider's or community's own page, contract and written quote are the final word on price and terms.
