Senior Care Costs 2025
Senior Care Costs in Iowa
In Iowa, the median cost of assisted living is $5,380 per month, 13% below the U.S. median of $6,200. A semi-private nursing home room has a median of $9,277 per month, and non-medical in-home care averages $41 per hour, or $7,836 per month at 44 hours a week. For assisted living, Iowa ranks 40th highest among 50 states.
Median monthly costs in Iowa
Assisted living
$5,380 /mo
-13% vs national
Nursing home (semi-private)
$9,277 /mo
-3% vs national
Nursing home (private)
$10,038 /mo
-7% vs national
In-home care (non-medical)
$7,836 /mo
+17% vs national
Other care options in Iowa
Adult day health care
$74 /day
Non-medical caregiver
$41 /hour
Private duty nurse (in the home)
$180 /hour
How Iowa compares
| Monthly median | Iowa | U.S. median | Lowest state | Highest state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assisted living | $5,380 | $6,200 | Mississippi $4,369 | Hawaii $12,096 |
| Nursing home (semi-private) | $9,277 | $9,581 | Texas $5,627 | Alaska $27,831 |
| Nursing home (private) | $10,038 | $10,798 | Texas $7,604 | Oregon $18,448 |
| In-home care (non-medical) | $7,836 | $6,673 | Mississippi $4,576 | Wyoming $8,771 |
What two years of care could cost
Illustrative totals using the Iowa monthly median multiplied by 24 months. Actual costs depend on the community, the level of care, and annual price increases.
| Care type | Two-year estimate |
|---|---|
| Assisted living | $129,120 |
| Nursing home (semi-private) | $222,648 |
| Nursing home (private) | $240,912 |
| In-home care (44 hours a week) | $188,064 |
States with similar costs
These states have median assisted living, nursing home, and in-home care costs closest to Iowa.
- Utah Assisted living $5,475/mo · Nursing home $8,669/mo
- South Dakota Assisted living $4,900/mo · Nursing home $9,444/mo
- Wyoming Assisted living $5,325/mo · Nursing home $9,916/mo
- Idaho Assisted living $5,175/mo · Nursing home $10,494/mo
Paying with Medicaid in Iowa
Medicaid can help pay for nursing home care when a person's income and assets are within the limits set by their state. Rules differ from state to state and change over time, so confirm the current figures with the agency before making decisions.
- Countable asset limit (single applicant)
- $2,000 Source: hhs.iowa.gov · verified October 10, 2026
- Minimum assets the at-home spouse may keep
- $32,532 Source: hhs.iowa.gov · verified October 10, 2026
Apply or get help: Iowa Health and Human Services, Medicaid →
This is general information, not legal or financial advice. An elder law attorney or your state agency can explain how the rules apply to a specific situation.
Frequently asked questions about costs in Iowa
How much does assisted living cost in Iowa?
The median cost of assisted living in Iowa is $5,380 per month ($64,566 per year) for a private one-bedroom unit, according to the 2025 CareScout Cost of Care Survey. That is 13% below the U.S. median of $6,200 per month.
How much does a nursing home cost in Iowa?
A semi-private nursing home room in Iowa has a median cost of $9,277 per month ($111,325 per year), compared with $9,581 nationally. A private room has a median of $10,038 per month ($120,450 per year).
How much does in-home care cost in Iowa?
Non-medical in-home care in Iowa has a median rate of $41 per hour, which comes to $7,836 per month ($94,037 per year) at 44 hours of care a week. The U.S. median is $35 per hour. Adult day health care has a median of $74 per day, or $19,370 per year at five days a week.
Is senior care in Iowa more expensive than the national average?
Iowa is above the U.S. median for 1 of the 4 care types with 2025 data (assisted living, nursing home semi-private and private rooms, and in-home care). Costs also vary widely by city and county within a state, so use these figures as a starting point.
Methodology and sources
Data source: CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025, published by CareScout (Genworth) in March 2026. Rates were collected from long-term care providers between July–November 2025.
How figures are calculated: Assisted living is the median monthly rate for a private one-bedroom unit. Nursing home figures are median monthly rates for semi-private and private rooms. In-home care assumes 44 hours of non-medical care per week, and adult day health care assumes five days per week. Annual figures are the reported annual medians; monthly figures are the annual rate divided by 12.
Keep in mind: These are state-level medians. Costs can differ significantly between cities and counties, and between individual communities. Use them to plan and to ask better questions, and confirm current prices directly with providers.