Adult Day Care vs. Assisted Living Cost in Mississippi (2026)
Adult day care is a daytime-only, stay-at-home support option. Assisted living is full-time residential care. The two aren't always direct substitutes — the choice often comes down to whether the senior can safely live at home evenings and weekends.
What Adult Day Care Covers
Adult day care centers provide daytime supervision, meals, and activities. The senior returns home each evening. Best for people who need monitoring and social engagement but can still live at home.
What Assisted Living Covers
Assisted living facilities provide housing, meals, and help with daily activities (bathing, dressing, medication). They do not provide skilled medical care. Best for seniors who need daily support but not intensive nursing.
Who Each Option Is Best For
Seniors who are safe alone at night but need structure, supervision, and care during the day
Seniors who need 24/7 oversight, benefit from community living, or whose home is no longer a safe care environment
Pros and Cons
| Category | Adult Day Care | Assisted Living |
|---|---|---|
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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Adult Day Care vs. Assisted Living Cost by State (2026)
Click any state for the full side-by-side breakdown.
| State | Adult Day Care | Assisted Living | Monthly Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,300 | $3,750 | $2,450 |
| Alaska | $2,167 | $6,300 | $4,133 |
| Arizona | $1,517 | $4,500 | $2,983 |
| Arkansas | $1,200 | $3,600 | $2,400 |
| California | $1,950 | $5,750 | $3,800 |
| Colorado | $1,625 | $4,900 | $3,275 |
| Connecticut | $2,167 | $5,850 | $3,683 |
| Delaware | $1,733 | $5,200 | $3,467 |
| District of Columbia | $2,058 | $6,000 | $3,942 |
| Florida | $1,733 | $4,500 | $2,767 |
| Georgia | $1,517 | $3,900 | $2,383 |
| Hawaii | $2,167 | $6,000 | $3,833 |
| Idaho | $1,408 | $4,250 | $2,842 |
| Illinois | $1,625 | $4,650 | $3,025 |
| Indiana | $1,408 | $4,300 | $2,892 |
| Iowa | $1,408 | $4,250 | $2,842 |
| Kansas | $1,408 | $4,400 | $2,992 |
| Kentucky | $1,300 | $3,900 | $2,600 |
| Louisiana | $1,408 | $3,700 | $2,292 |
| Maine | $1,733 | $5,500 | $3,767 |
| Maryland | $1,842 | $5,100 | $3,258 |
| Massachusetts | $2,058 | $5,800 | $3,742 |
| Michigan | $1,517 | $4,400 | $2,883 |
| Minnesota | $1,733 | $4,600 | $2,867 |
| Mississippi | $1,192 | $3,500 | $2,308 |
| Missouri | $1,300 | $3,600 | $2,300 |
| Montana | $1,517 | $4,500 | $2,983 |
| Nebraska | $1,408 | $4,500 | $3,092 |
| Nevada | $1,625 | $4,400 | $2,775 |
| New Hampshire | $1,842 | $5,700 | $3,858 |
| New Jersey | $1,950 | $5,800 | $3,850 |
| New Mexico | $1,408 | $4,100 | $2,692 |
| New York | $2,058 | $5,500 | $3,442 |
| North Carolina | $1,408 | $4,100 | $2,692 |
| North Dakota | $1,517 | $4,200 | $2,683 |
| Ohio | $1,408 | $4,500 | $3,092 |
| Oklahoma | $1,192 | $3,700 | $2,508 |
| Oregon | $1,842 | $5,200 | $3,358 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,625 | $4,600 | $2,975 |
| Rhode Island | $1,842 | $5,600 | $3,758 |
| South Carolina | $1,300 | $3,900 | $2,600 |
| South Dakota | $1,300 | $4,100 | $2,800 |
| Tennessee | $1,300 | $4,200 | $2,900 |
| Texas | $1,300 | $4,250 | $2,950 |
| Utah | $1,408 | $4,200 | $2,792 |
| Vermont | $1,842 | $5,600 | $3,758 |
| Virginia | $1,625 | $4,900 | $3,275 |
| Washington | $1,950 | $5,500 | $3,550 |
| West Virginia | $1,300 | $3,800 | $2,500 |
| Wisconsin | $1,517 | $4,600 | $3,083 |
| Wyoming | $1,517 | $4,800 | $3,283 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is adult day care cheaper than assisted living in Mississippi?
Yes — Adult Day Care costs $1,192/month in Mississippi, compared to $3,500/month for Assisted Living. That's a difference of $2,308/month ($27,696/year).
Does Medicare cover adult day care?
Medicare does not cover long-term adult day care. Medicare may cover short-term skilled nursing care (up to 100 days after a qualifying hospital stay) but does not pay for custodial care — which includes most services at assisted living facilities, adult day care centers, or home health aides for daily activities. Medicaid may cover nursing home costs for those who meet financial eligibility requirements.
What's the annual cost difference?
Over 12 months, the difference between adult day care ($1,192/mo) and assisted living ($3,500/mo) in Mississippi adds up to $27,696/year. Over 3 years, that gap reaches $83,088.