Senior living cost calculator

Compare in-home care with assisted living or memory care. Start with local cost estimates for your city, or enter a community’s quote. Add your care hours and household expenses to compare monthly totals—no signup required.

Care cost comparison worksheet

Compare the monthly costs of in-home care versus moving to a care community. We use 4.33 weeks per month to estimate average home care costs.

Before you compare

A lower cost does not necessarily mean a better fit. Consider safety, overnight help, and what family caregivers can manage. These calculations do not recommend a care setting.

Cost Source

Start with local planning ranges or enter your own quote.

Select a city

Care type

In-home care

Costs associated with staying at home

Caregiver costs

Hours per week *

Please enter a number.

Hourly rate ($) *

Please enter a number.

Living expenses

Home costs that would stop ($/mo) Only expenses that would end after a move, such as rent or food included in the community price

Home costs that would continue ($/mo) Insurance, taxes, HOA (costs you pay if keeping the house)

Other monthly expenses ($/mo) Transportation, medical supplies, etc.

One-time costs

Home modifications ($)

Spread over (months) *

Divides costs such as ramps or grab bars into a monthly average. You may need to pay upfront.

Assisted living

Costs associated with a care community

Community costs

Community quote or base rent ($/mo) *May include meals, utilities, activities, and housekeeping; verify your quote

Please enter a number.

Care fee ($/mo) Enter only care charges not already included in the quote above

Living expenses

Home costs after moving ($/mo) Include bills you would still pay after moving; enter 0 only if none would remain

Other monthly expenses ($/mo) Incontinence supplies, personal phone, salon, etc.

One-time costs

Move-in or community fee ($)

Spread over (months) *

Divides the fee into a monthly average. This does not change when payment is due.

Enter costs to compare options

Enter weekly care hours, an hourly rate, and base rent, then check any fields marked in red. Fields with an asterisk are required.

How our care cost calculator works

How we calculate a monthly average

We multiply weekly care hours by the hourly rate, then multiply by 52 and divide by 12. That gives an average of 4.33 weeks per month rather than four. Your actual bill may vary with the hours used and billing schedule.

Stopping vs. continuing home costs

Some home expenses stop after a move; others continue, especially if you keep the house. Enter each expense only once in each option. If a bill will only decrease, include the remaining amount under continuing costs.

How upfront costs affect your budget

We divide one-time costs, such as a wheelchair ramp or community move-in fee, by the number of months you choose. This helps you compare average costs, but it is not a payment plan: you may need the full amount upfront.

What this estimate can tell you

This is a budgeting tool, not medical advice or a recommendation for a care setting. Consider daily and overnight care needs, social connections, and how much support family caregivers can provide. Your entries stay in your browser; no email or signup is required.

Frequently asked questions

Is in-home care cheaper than assisted living in Arizona?

Actual costs depend on paid hours, the hourly rate, housing costs, assessed care fees, and add-ons. There is no universally cheaper setting.

What is a community fee in assisted living?

A community fee (or move-in fee) is a one-time charge paid before moving into assisted living. Check the resident agreement for the amount, what it covers, and whether it is refundable. This calculator spreads the fee over the number of months you choose so you can include it in your average monthly budget. The fee may still be due upfront.

Does Medicare cover the cost of in-home caregivers or assisted living?

Standard Medicare generally does not cover ongoing custodial care or assisted living room and board. Eligible home health and skilled services have separate requirements. See our payment guide for more details on how care is funded.Read our payment guide

How do I know how many care hours I need to calculate?

Consult with a physician or a licensed care agency for a formal assessment. As a starting point, track a normal week to see how many hours of active help or supervision the senior requires for safety, medication management, and daily tasks.

Related cost and planning resources

East Valley cost report

Review current planning ranges for assisted living across Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and surrounding cities.

Read report

Payment guide

Learn about ALTCS, veterans benefits, long-term care insurance, and private pay options in Arizona.

Read guide

In-home care vs. assisted living

Compare the benefits, differences in daily routines, and how to choose the right setting for your family's needs.

Compare options