Average cost of long-term care in California
April 15, 2024
The average cost of long-term care in California is now at a point where long-term care insurance is a necessity for most families across the state. Here is an overview of annual California long-term care costs by type of care:
Average Cost of Long-Term Care in California — 2024 | |
| Nursing Home: Private Room | $131,349 |
| Assisted Living Facility | $72,570 |
| Home Care (44 hours per week) | $72,846 |
Consider the average length of a nursing home stay of 3 years.1 This equates to a financial risk of $394,047 ($131,349 per year). With inflation, the cost is projected to be $863,406 by 2044 ($287,802 per year).2 Because Medicare does not cover this cost,3 paying out of pocket could bankrupt the average California family.
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What Is Long-Term Care Insurance?
Long-term care insurance policies pay for nursing facility, assisted living facility and home health care costs. Premiums for LTC insurance can vary greatly by company, age of applicant and health history. Most companies now charge higher premiums for women, but some do not. For these reasons, we strongly suggest working with an agent who represents multiple highly rated companies and who is a specialist with long-term care planning.
What Disqualifies You From Long-Term Care Insurance?
Long-term care insurance companies carefully health qualify applicants who apply for protection. While many health conditions are acceptable, many can disqualify you from getting insurance.
Find Out If You Qualify For LTC Insurance >
How Much Does Long-Term Care Cost in California?
California Long-Term Care Costs — 2024 (annual) | |||
| Region | Nursing Home (private room) | Assisted Living (private room) | Home Care (44 Hours/week) |
| California Average | $131,349 | $72,570 | $72,846 |
| Bakersfield | $114,027 | $48,784 | $59,853 |
| Chico | $130,390 | $59,409 | $68,751 |
| El Centro | $131,349 | $58,545 | $68,694 |
| Fresno | $132,533 | $53,581 | $69,339 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $138,691 | $57,476 | $72,846 |
| Los Angeles | $117,802 | $76,053 | $66,683 |
| Madera | $112,292 | $50,563 | $70,044 |
| Merced | $123,706 | $59,779 | $75,650 |
| Modesto | $140,611 | $50,907 | $69,346 |
| Napa | $165,669 | $92,658 | $70,025 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $127,385 | $72,733 | $78,442 |
| Redding | $133,406 | $62,894 | $71,445 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $119,579 | $55,036 | $69,208 |
| Sacramento-Roseville | $125,380 | $72,404 | $66,419 |
| Salinas | $142,655 | $87,917 | $81,479 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad | $135,241 | $66,530 | $64,620 |
| San Francisco | $140,819 | $86,920 | $79,249 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $135,713 | $89,618 | $86,334 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $128,620 | $80,177 | $69,860 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $126,812 | $95,561 | $90,554 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $171,030 | $82,231 | $74,318 |
| Santa Rosa-San Rafael | $140,107 | $86,517 | $85,323 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $127,035 | $53,002 | $73,120 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield | $124,590 | $74,298 | $63,419 |
| Visalia-Porterville | $99,764 | $55,928 | $69,771 |
| Yuba City | $123,935 | $55,989 | $80,162 |
Nationwide Financial annual cost of care survey conducted by HVS, site accessed 4/16/2024
How Much Does LTC Insurance Cost in California?
Your California long-term care insurance rates will depend on your age, health history, plan design and type of coverage selected. Additionally, the following plan design features let you choose how much premium and coverage is right for your situation:
- Benefit Period
- Daily Benefit
- Elimination Period (a deductible in days)
- Inflation Protection (if chosen)
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About the Author: Craig Matesky