ElderCarePeek

South Carolina vs Washington: Senior Care Cost Comparison (2026)

Side-by-side comparison of nursing home, assisted living, and home care costs.

South Carolina

$7,604/mo

Nursing home (private room)

Senior population: 18.2%

Washington

$10,982/mo

Nursing home (private room)

Senior population: 15.9%

Which State is More Affordable for Senior Care?

South Carolina has lower nursing home costs by $3,378/month ($40,536/year). Over 5 years, that's a difference of $202,680.

Detailed Cost Comparison

Care TypeSouth CarolinaWashingtonDifference
Nursing Home (Private)$7,604/mo$10,982/mo$3,378
Nursing Home (Semi-Private)$6,844/mo$9,963/mo$3,119
Assisted Living$3,750/mo$5,750/mo$2,000
Home Health Aide$22.00/hr$31.00/hr$9.00
Adult Day Care$1,383/mo$2,017/mo$634
Homemaker Services$20.00/hr$29.00/hr$9.00

Annual Cost Comparison

South Carolina Annual Costs

Nursing Home (Private)$91,248/yr
Assisted Living$45,000/yr
Home Health Aide (8hr/day)$46,464/yr
Adult Day Care$16,596/yr

Washington Annual Costs

Nursing Home (Private)$131,784/yr
Assisted Living$69,000/yr
Home Health Aide (8hr/day)$65,472/yr
Adult Day Care$24,204/yr

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which state has cheaper nursing homes: South Carolina or Washington?
South Carolina has lower nursing home costs. South Carolina averages $7,604/month while Washington averages $10,982/month, a difference of $3,378/month.
How do assisted living costs compare between South Carolina and Washington?
Assisted living in South Carolina costs $3,750/month compared to $5,750/month in Washington.
What about home health aide costs?
Home health aides charge $22.00/hour in South Carolina and $31.00/hour in Washington.
Which state has better Medicaid coverage for senior care?
Both states offer Medicaid coverage for nursing home care. South Carolina: South Carolina Medicaid covers nursing home care. Community Choices waiver for home-based services.... Washington: Washington Medicaid covers nursing facilities. COPES waiver for home and community-based alternatives....

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Data verified March 2026 · Source: Genworth Cost of Care Survey