When families compare home care vs nursing home costs, the biggest difference is often the amount of care needed. Home care services enable the older adult to live at home and utilize services as needed, with a cost that is determined based on the hours of help needed. A nursing home offers a place to live, food, care, supervision, and medical care in a home environment.
That disparity can significantly impact a family’s finances in New York. Using the most recent CareScout 2025 data, the median cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home is $186,333 per year statewide, and the median cost of non-medical caregiver services is $80,080 per year, used for 44 hours per week statewide.
New York Senior Care Costs at a Glance
The national statistics are a good indicator, but they are not a quote for each community or home care agency. There are several factors that could affect costs, such as location, type of care received, provider, room type, and hours of care.
| Care option | New York median cost |
| Non-medical caregiver | $35/hour |
| Home care at 44 hours/week | $80,080/year |
| Assisted living community | $82,140/year |
| Nursing home, semi-private room | $186,333/year |
| Nursing home, private room | $200,750/year |
CareScout’s 2025 survey uses 44 hours per week for its non-medical caregiver calculation, while nursing home figures are based on 365 days of care. The assisted living figure represents a private one-bedroom community setting.
Comparing prices month-by-month can be misleading, so be sure to compare prices between any two given months. A senior requiring 15 or 20 hours of home care per week can end up spending quite a bit less than a senior who requires daily or 24/7 care.
How Home Care Costs Work in New York
In home care, the flexibility is typically greater since families can get a certain number of hours instead of paying for residential care on a daily basis. Services can consist of preparing meals, providing light housekeeping, bathing, dressing, toileting, reminding about taking medicine, companionship, and activities of daily living.
The average price for non-medical caregiver services in New York currently stands at $35 an hour. At 44 hours per week, that equals $1,540 per week and $80,080 over 52 weeks.
For example, using that statewide median:
- 20 hours per week would be about $3,033 per month.
- 40 hours per week would be about $6,067 per month.
- 44 hours per week would be about $6,673 per month.
These are examples of calculations based on the median of $35 per hour, which is not necessarily the agency’s price. Actual costs of home care may be more or less depending on the provider and services.
In North Bellmore, NY, this hourly fee may be a good option for a family that wishes to consider home care for an older adult who needs assistance with activities of daily living, but not constant residential care.
Nursing Home Cost NY: What Are You Paying For?
Nursing home costs to NY families equal more than caregiver time. A nursing home is a residential facility that offers skilled nursing care (as needed), care, meals, housekeeping, and supervision.
A new CareScout median in New York is $186,333 a year for a semi-private room, or approximately $15,528 a month. The average cost per year for a private room is $200,750, or $16,729 per month.
It is important to note that nursing home care is provided for those who require more care. If the individual needs a skilled nursing facility, more assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), or supervision that cannot be safely provided at home, they may need a higher level of care.
If you look at nursing home care, it’s more expensive, but it also includes a package of residential and care services.
Home Care vs Nursing Home: Which Costs Less?
If a senior requires less or moderate care, home care may be more affordable, as families are only charged for the care hours they need.
Think about how many hours of home care you would have per week compared to 24 hours per day at home. The median wage for 20 hours per week is $35 statewide, which amounts to approximately $36,400 per year. This is significantly lower than the annual median of $186,333 for a semi-private nursing home room.
However, the calculation changes as care hours increase.
The expense of 2 or more caregivers may equal or exceed that of residential care by the time someone may require help during most of the day. Families should thus compare the total hours needed, rather than the hourly home care rate.
| Quick note: Home care is not automatically cheaper in every situation. It is often more affordable when care needs are limited enough to avoid extensive daily coverage. |
Assisted Living vs Home Care
The comparison of assisted living vs home care is different from comparing home care with a nursing home. Assisted living is a residential care option for older adults who require assistance with their daily activities but not the skilled care that a nursing home offers. Services may consist of meals, housekeeping, personal care, activities, and medication assistance.
CareScout’s 2025 New York release reports a median assisted living cost of $82,140 per year, compared with $80,080 for non-medical caregiver services at 44 hours per week.
It’s not surprising that many families are drawn to take a closer look at what is being included, based on that kind of comparison. Home care may allow someone to keep their existing home, but household expenses such as mortgage or rent, utilities, food, and maintenance continue. Assisted living is a residential facility that provides both care and housing.
What About Medicare and Medicaid?
Financial assistance can make a huge impact.
Generally, Medicare will not cover long-term custodial care when an older person requires assistance with everyday tasks. It can pay some of the costs of medically necessary home health services and skilled care if the requirements are satisfied.
Eligible New Yorkers may receive more comprehensive long-term care benefits through New York Medicaid. The state’s Managed Long Term Care program can arrange for community-based services like home health aides, personal care, nursing, private duty nursing, etc.
Families should review whether there is any long term care insurance, veterans’ benefits, or other coverage that could be used for services that may be eligible for coverage.
Choosing the Right Care Setting
Cost definitely plays a role, but you need to weigh it with safety, independence, medical needs, and how much help family can pitch in.
Home care may make sense when:
- The senior is safe living at home.
- Help is needed for specific hours rather than all day.
- Family members can provide some additional support.
- The home can accommodate changing care needs.
A nursing home may become more appropriate when:
- Skilled nursing care is needed.
- Significant assistance is required throughout the day and night.
- Medical needs cannot be safely managed at home.
- A senior requires continuous supervision.
For families considering home-based support, Precious Pearls Home Health Care can be part of the conversation when evaluating how much assistance may be needed at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is home care cheaper than a nursing home in New York?
Yes, especially if the senior only needs part-time or limited care. The 2025 New York median for a non-medical caregiver is $35 per hour, while a semi-private nursing home room costs about $186,333 per year. Cost really depends on how many hours and what services you need.
How much does home care cost per month in New York?
Right now, at $35 an hour, 44 hours a week comes out to about $6,673 a month (that’s the $80,080 annual amount divided by 12). Needing fewer hours brings that cost down, while more coverage pushes it higher.
Is assisted living cheaper than a nursing home in New York?
Yes, according to the latest CareScout New York figures, assisted living costs less. The 2025 numbers show $82,140 a year for assisted living compared to $186,333 for a semi-private nursing home room.
Does Medicaid cover home care in New York?
Some New Yorkers can get home care through Medicaid programs like Managed Long Term Care, as long as they meet the financial, medical, and functional requirements. There’s also an assessment if you want certain personal care and community-based services.
Final Thoughts: Compare Care Hours Before Choosing a Setting
The most useful way to evaluate home care vs nursing home cost is to calculate the actual level of care a senior needs. Part-time home care can provide meaningful support while preserving independence, while nursing homes provide a broader residential and skilled-care environment for people with more complex needs.
For families in New York, including North Bellmore, the right comparison should include care hours, housing expenses, medical needs, insurance coverage, and long-term affordability. Precious Pearls Home Health Care can help families consider home-based care as part of that broader planning process.
