Home care costs
Home care cost in New Jersey vs New York (2026)
The most recent survey numbers, from the CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey, are the best starting point for a 2026 budget. Your parent's real quote depends on the hours, the county and the level of care.
You don't pay. There's no fee.
The state medians
- Non-medical in-home caregiver, New Jersey: $38 an hour, about $7,245 a month at 44 hours a week.
- Non-medical in-home caregiver, New York: $35 an hour, about $6,673 a month at 44 hours a week.
- Skilled nursing in the home: $105 an hour in New Jersey, $120 an hour in New York.
- Adult day health care: $100 a day in New Jersey, $144 a day in New York.
- Source: CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey, state median tables. The national median for a non-medical caregiver was $35 an hour.
Why your quote may be different
- County: Bergen, Essex, Hudson and New York City usually run above the state median.
- Minimums: most agencies set a minimum number of hours per visit and days per week.
- Nights, weekends and holidays often cost more.
- Live-in care is quoted as a daily rate, and 24-hour shift care pays every hour.
- Higher needs, like dementia care or two-person transfers, can raise the rate.
A quick way to budget
Write down the hours your parent truly needs help in a normal week. Multiply by the hourly rate you are quoted, then add a cushion for days the need goes up. When that number gets close to an assisted living quote, compare both. See in-home care vs assisted living and assisted living cost in NJ.
Ways families pay
- Private pay from savings, income or the sale of a home.
- Long term care insurance, which often covers home care.
- Veterans benefits for eligible veterans and surviving spouses.
- Medicaid home care for those who qualify. We point you to the NJ ADRC (1-877-222-3737) or NY Connects (1-800-342-9871).
How we help
Tell us the hours, the town and the needs. We introduce licensed private-pay agencies, and each one quotes you in writing, so you compare real numbers. You don't pay. There's no fee. Call (201) 686-8232.
We do not publish any agency's prices. Each agency quotes its own rate and minimum in writing, and we ask you to get that before care starts.
Get agency quotes for your parent's hours
Related pages
Frequently asked questions
- Is home care cheaper in New York or New Jersey?
- By the 2025 state medians, New Jersey ($38 an hour) ran slightly higher than New York ($35). New York City and North Jersey both tend to run above their state medians.
- Does Medicare pay for home care?
- Medicare covers short, doctor-ordered skilled home health visits after a qualifying event. It does not pay for ongoing hourly help with bathing, meals or company.
- Do families pay you?
- You don't pay. There's no fee. A licensed agency may pay us a referral fee after a successful private-pay start of care. We do not take a fee on Medicaid funded care.
Ways to start
Sit with us first. Then pick the home.
- Call (201) 686-8232. Best for an immediate need such as a discharge this week.
- Take the two minute care quiz
- See how we help families
- Print the tour question checklist
- Communities and agencies: partner with us
Informational and referral only. Not medical, legal, or insurance advice. We do not operate communities or employ aides, and we do not publish community prices, waitlists, or bed counts. Verify licensing and current rates with each community or agency.
This site is not medical or financial advice. Confirm coverage with the plan or the state Medicaid office. Facility fees are set by the community.