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From $31 an hour to $120K a year, the rising cost of TN senior care

• A private nursing home room in Tennessee costs over $120,000 annually, while full-time in-home care is about $71,000.
• Despite recent price hikes, Tennessee’s caregiving costs remain lower than the national average.
• The most affordable option for senior care in the state is adult day health care, at a median cost of $20,800 per year.

Tennessee families can expect to pay about $71,000 a year for full‑time in‑home care and more than $120,000 annually for a private nursing home room, according to new state‑by‑state data from the Cost of Care Survey 2025, released by CareScout.

That’s not bad, compared to the similar costs for senior care nationwide. But these prices are rising quickly.

Tennessee ranks in the lower half of U.S. states when it comes to the price of caregiving. But the Volunteer State recently had the No. 12 fastest-rising senior care costs in the U.S., according to CareScout.

From 2022 to 2025, the price of semi-private nursing home rooms rose 21.6% to $113,150; assisted living by 27.1% to $67,140; and adult day health care by 14.3% to $20,800, the analysis found.

The survey, based on data collected between July and November 2025, ranks median long‑term care costs across the country.

Assisted living averages $184 a day in Tennessee; in‑home care costs $31 an hour

For non‑medical in‑home caregiving, such as help with daily activities, Tennessee ranks 42nd nationally. The median cost in the state is $31 per hour, or $5,911 per month, totaling $70,928 annually based on 44 hours of care per week.

Assisted living in Tennessee costs slightly less. The median monthly price for a private, one‑bedroom unit in an assisted living community is $5,595, or $67,140 per year, ranking the state 34th. On a daily basis, assisted living averages $184.

The most expensive care options are nursing homes. A semi‑private nursing home room in Tennessee carries a median cost of $9,429 per month, or $113,150 annually, placing the state 32nd nationally.

A private nursing home room increases that figure to $10,038 per month, or $120,450 per year, ranking Tennessee 35th. The price difference between semi‑private and private rooms in the state is $7,300 annually, or about $609 per month.

Cheapest caregiving option: Adult day health care

For families using skilled nursing care in the home, the survey reports a median hourly rate of $79 in Tennessee, ranking the state 32nd. Because this category is calculated using one hour of care per week, the reported annual cost is $4,108, or $342 per month, though higher usage would substantially increase total expenses.

The least expensive option tracked is adult day health care, which provides daytime supervision and services. In Tennessee, the median cost is $80 per day, or $1,733 per month, totaling $20,800 annually.

Tennessee ranks 36th in this category.

Across all care types, Tennessee’s rankings generally fall between the low‑cost states of the Deep South and the highest‑cost states such as Hawaii, Alaska, New York, and New England. While Tennessee remains comparatively affordable, the data show that most long‑term care options still cost tens of thousands of dollars per year — and, in many cases, exceed $100,000.

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This article is for general educational purposes and does not change or replace your policy language. Coverage depends on your carrier, endorsements, exclusions, limits, and the facts of the loss. Always refer to your policy declarations and contract for specific terms.

(This article was taken in part from an article in THE TENNESSEAN written by Sandy Mazza / March 17, 2026.)