CCRC Costs and Contracts (2026)
CCRC pages explain contract structure (Type A/B/C, entry fees, refundability). We do not publish fabricated local medians.
Contract structure before local prices
Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs, also called life-plan communities) sell a contract, not a simple monthly rent. We do not publish a local median for the United States: there is no free, complete state price table we can cite. Use the structure below before you sign.
Contract types (Type A / B / C)
- Type A (life care): higher entry fee; monthly fee stays relatively stable as care needs rise. Extensive prepaid healthcare risk pooling.
- Type B (modified): mid-range entry fee; some care days or discounted higher levels included, then higher rates apply.
- Type C (fee-for-service): lower entry fee; you pay market rates when you move to assisted living or nursing care.
What families typically pay (national, cited ranges)
National consumer guidance commonly places entry fees from about $100,000 to $1,000,000+ (studio through large unit, refundable vs non-refundable) and monthly fees often in the $2,000–$5,000+ range before higher-acuity care. Figures vary widely by campus and contract. See AARP CCRC overview. These are national ranges, not a the United States median.
12 questions before you sign
- What contract type is this (A, B, or C), in plain language?
- What exactly does the entry fee buy, and what does it not cover?
- Is any of the entry fee refundable, on what schedule, and to whom?
- How do monthly fees change when care needs increase?
- What is the historical annual monthly-fee increase (last 5–10 years)?
- What health conditions can force a move or contract termination?
- Who decides the level-of-care move: the community, a doctor, or you?
- What happens if the community's finances weaken?
- Can you review audited financials and occupancy trends?
- Is the community registered with the state CCRC / insurance regulator?
- What is excluded (memory care, private duty, medications, second person)?
- Have an elder-law attorney review the contract before deposit?
How people pay for CCRCs
Almost nobody pays for long-term care out of one pocket. Most families start with savings and income, then add a second source once the first thins out. The five payers below are ordered by how often they carry the bill, not by how much they pay. Eligibility for the government programs is set state by state, so the state page is where the rules get specific.
- 1. Private pay (savings, income, home equity)Most common
The default payer for most families at the start, especially for assisted living and in-home care. Often combined with a second source once savings run low.
- 2. Long-term care insuranceCommon
Pays toward care costs if a policy was purchased in advance, usually years before care is needed. Policy terms (daily/monthly benefit caps, elimination periods) vary widely. Check the policy documents directly.
- 3. Medicaid (state-run, income- and asset-limited)Common
Covers nursing home care in every state, and many states offer Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers that extend Medicaid to assisted living or in-home care. Eligibility rules and waiver availability are state-specific.
- 4. VA Aid & Attendance (veterans and surviving spouses)Situational
An added benefit on top of a VA pension for eligible wartime veterans (or surviving spouses) who need help with daily activities. Requires meeting service, income, and care-need criteria.
- 5. MedicareNarrow eligibility
Does not cover long-term custodial care (help with daily living). It can cover short-term skilled nursing or home health following a qualifying hospital stay, under specific conditions.
- This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Program rules vary by state and change over time. Confirm current eligibility with Medicaid.gov, the VA, or a licensed elder-law advisor.
Guides that go deeper
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) cost by state
Open a state for its own range, city detail, and funding rules.
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Blank rows are honest. A state with no figure means we have no published source for it, not that care is unavailable there. We would rather show a gap than a guess.
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Family tools
Frequently asked questions
How much do CCRCs cost?
We do not have enough published state-level data to report a national figure for CCRCs. We publish a number when there is a source for it and leave it blank when there is not.
Why do CCRCs cost so much more in some states?
Direct-care wages are the largest single input, and they track the local labor market. Real estate, staffing ratios set by state regulation, and general cost of living account for most of the rest.
Is this a national average?
We publish medians of published state figures rather than averages, and only once enough states have a source.
Can I get the raw data?
Yes. The CSV on this page has one row per state plus a national summary row, with the period, methodology version, and source tags on every row. Reuse it with attribution.
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Trust and methodology
We correct figures in public when a source revises or we get one wrong. If a number here does not match what a provider quoted you, tell us and we will check it.