Nursing Homes Cost in District of Columbia (2026): $14,916/mo + How to Pay Less

Median monthly price, District of Columbia

$14,916/mo

Estimated range $14,239 – $17,327

● District of Columbia $14,916 ○ National median $10,205

Source: Genworth 2020 survey, adjusted to 2024 prices

City, state, and national

Each area's median compared with the national figure.

Nursing Homes cost by area (2024)
Area	Median	vs national
Washington	$14,916/mo	+46.2%
District of Columbia (state median)	$14,916/mo	+46.2%
United States	$10,205/mo	reference

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Open any city page for the full provider table. For example, nursing homes in Washington.

City figures adjust the District of Columbia median for local wages and housing costs.

We currently have one published data point for District of Columbia (2024). A multi-year trend will appear here once we've published estimates across multiple years.

The hourly math: staying home vs. moving

District of Columbia in-home care runs about $36.69 an hour.

Home care hourly math vs. nursing homes
Care at home	The math	Monthly	vs nursing homes $14,916
20 hours a week	$36.69/hr × 20 hrs × 52 ÷ 12	$3,180/mo	−$11,736
32 hours a week	$36.69/hr × 32 hrs × 52 ÷ 12	$5,088/mo	−$9,828
44 hours a week	$36.69/hr × 44 hrs × 52 ÷ 12	$6,996/mo	−$7,920
Around-the-clock (24/7)	$36.69/hr × 168 hrs × 52 ÷ 12	$26,710/mo	+$11,794

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Around 94 hours a week, home care crosses the nursing homes median. Full-time and overnight care cost several times more.

Estimate your own number

Compare nursing home costs

Switch units, compare two places, and see a simple five-year projection.

Compare with

District of Columbia

$14,916/mo/mo

Based on 2024 survey data.

National median

$10,205/mo/mo

Illustrative cost in 5 years (3% / yr)

About $17,292/mo (illustrative only, not a forecast).

Need a different pair of places? Open the full cost calculator. Not sure which care type? Take the care quiz.

What can you afford?

Here is what different monthly budgets cover in District of Columbia.

Under $2,500/mo

Adult day, family care, or affordable senior housing

Adult day care and help from family are the usual options at this budget. Income-restricted affordable senior housing is the other common choice. Ask each property about its income limits. If money is very tight, ask about Medicaid waivers.

Affordable senior apartments →

$2,500 – $7,000/mo

Part-time home care or entry assisted living

Part-time home care usually falls here. Full-time care at 44 hours a week runs about $6,996 a month. If Medicaid may apply, ask about waiver programs.

Medicaid & waiver paths →

$7,000 – $11,000/mo

Assisted living with room to spare

It also covers close to full-time home care, about $6,996 a month.

How families pay →

Over $11,000/mo

Nursing care or heavy home-care schedules

Nursing homes in District of Columbia run about $14,916 a month at the median. Around-the-clock home care usually costs more.

How families pay →

How to pay for nursing homes in District of Columbia

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

If private pay is the plan, an advisor can match communities within that number at no cost. Sponsored

Medicaid and every admission will ask who can sign for your parent. Get the power of attorney done online. Sponsored

Long-Term Care Ombudsman

District of Columbia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program helps residents of nursing homes, assisted living, and similar settings in District of Columbia resolve concerns about care and rights.

Find your local ombudsman

Medicaid programs for care at home

Elderly and Persons with Physical Disabilities Waiver. DC 1915(c) EPD waiver for adults 65+ and adults 18–64 with physical disabilities (CMS factsheet).

National helplines

Eldercare Locator · 800-677-1116
Free nationwide connection to local aging services.
211
Local health and human services referrals.
NCOA BenefitsCheckUp
Screen for benefits you may qualify for.
DIAL
ACL Disability Information and Access Line.
VA health benefits
Veterans health care and long-term care programs.

Frequently asked questions

How much do nursing homes cost in District of Columbia?

Nursing homes in District of Columbia cost a median of $14,916 a month (estimated range $14,239 to $17,327). Based on 2024 survey data.

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Browse by city in District of Columbia

Washington

Other care types in District of Columbia

In-Home Care Home Health Care Assisted Living Memory Care Independent Living Adult Day Care Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC)