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Long-Term Care Cost Calculator

Project the total cost of long-term care based on care type, years of coverage, and cost inflation — and see the monthly insurance benefit you'd need to cover it.

Updated July 2026 · Editorial standards

Projected cost of your long-term care
$432,021
Daily cost at care start
$395/day
Insurance benefit needed
$11,836/mo
Daily cost today$148Years until care25 yrsIn today's dollars$162,060

Care Details

yrs
yrs
yrs

Key figures

Total cost at care start
$432,021
Daily cost today
$148
Daily cost at start
$395
Insurance benefit needed
$11,836/mo
In today's dollars
$162,060

3 years of assisted living starting at age 80 will cost $432,021 in future dollars — today's equivalent is $162,060. That's 25 years of 4% annual care inflation.Today's daily rate of $148 grows to $395/day by age 80. A long-term care insurance policy with a $11,836/month benefit would cover this type of care.

Total cost at care start
$432,021
By KalkWiseVerified against official sources Updated July 2026

What is the long-term care cost calculator?

In short

A 55-year-old expecting to need assisted living at age 80 for 3 years faces $432,000 in future costs — today's equivalent is $162,000. At 4% annual care inflation over 25 years, today's $148/day grows to $395/day. A long-term care policy providing $11,836/month in benefits would cover this care.

This calculator projects the total future cost of long-term care (home health aide, assisted living, or nursing home) based on your age, expected care start date, years of coverage, and care-cost inflation. It uses 2024 Genworth Cost of Care Survey national medians and lets you override with a local daily rate. It also outputs the monthly insurance benefit needed to cover projected costs.

How to use this calculator

  1. 1Enter your current age and the age you expect to need care (average is around 79–80)
  2. 2Select care type — home health aide, assisted living, or nursing home
  3. 3Enter expected years of care and annual care-cost inflation rate
  4. 4Optionally enter your local daily rate to override the national median
  5. 5Review total future cost and the insurance benefit needed to cover it

The formula

dfuture=dtoday×(1+i)n
total=dfuture×365×y
Daily cost at care start = today's daily cost × (1 + inflation)^years until care. Total future cost = inflated daily cost × 365 days × years of care. Monthly insurance benefit needed = inflated daily cost × 30 days.
d
— Daily cost today (2024 Genworth median by care type)
i
— Annual care-cost inflation rate
n
— Years until care starts
y
— Years of care needed

Worked example

The scenario

Age 55, care starts at 80, assisted living (median $148/day today), 3 years of care, 4% annual inflation.

gives

The result

Years until care: 25. Inflated daily cost: $148 × (1.04)^25 = $395/day. Total cost: $395 × 365 × 3 = $432,225. Monthly benefit needed: $395 × 30 = $11,850.

Common use cases

  • Planning how much long-term care insurance coverage to purchase
  • Estimating self-insurance reserves needed if skipping LTC insurance
  • Comparing home care vs. facility care costs over time
  • Retirement planning conversations with a financial advisor

Limitations & assumptions

  • Uses national median costs — actual costs vary significantly by region (urban California can be 2× the national median)
  • Does not model Medicaid eligibility or coverage (Medicaid covers nursing home care after asset spend-down)
  • Does not account for Medicare coverage (Medicare covers skilled nursing only for up to 100 days after a qualifying hospital stay)
  • Average LTC need is 2–3 years, but roughly 20% of people need 5+ years — actual duration is unpredictable

Frequently asked questions

A 55-year-old purchasing a policy with a $4,000/month benefit, 3-year benefit period, and 3% inflation rider typically pays $1,500–$3,000/year in premiums. Waiting until 65 can increase premiums by 75–100% and health issues may make you uninsurable. The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance reports average annual premiums of $950 (age 55) vs. $1,700 (age 65) for a basic policy.

Disclaimer: KalkWise calculators are provided for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the figures you enter and the assumptions described above. Actual outcomes will vary. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.