Elder Care Cost: California vs Arizona (2026)
Arizona assisted living runs $4,500/month — $1,250/month less than California's $5,750/month. That's $15,000/year.
California
$5,750
assisted living/month
+$1250 vs national avg
Arizona
$4,500
assisted living/month
+$0 vs national avg
California vs Arizona — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | California | Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Assisted Living | $5,750/mo | $4,500/mo ✓ |
| Nursing Home — Private Room | $11,680/mo | $9,125/mo ✓ |
| Nursing Home — Semi-Private | $10,646/mo | $8,213/mo ✓ |
| In-Home Aide (44 hrs/week) | $6,864/mo | $5,720/mo ✓ |
| Adult Day Care | $1,950/mo | $1,517/mo ✓ |
Source: Genworth/CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2024–2025. Statewide medians — metro areas typically run 15–30% higher.
Annual Cost Difference
For assisted living, Arizona costs $54,000/year vs California's $69,000/year.
Monthly gap
$1,250
Annual gap
$15,000
2-year care
$30,000
% difference
28%
Assisted living only. Nursing home gap: $2,555/month ($30,660/year).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is elder care cheaper in California or Arizona?
Arizona is cheaper for assisted living at $4,500/month, vs. $5,750/month in California — a $1,250/month gap. Arizona comes out ahead on 5 of 5 care categories.
How do nursing home costs compare between these states?
A private nursing home room in California runs $11,680/month vs. $9,125/month in Arizona. The national median is $9,733/month.
How do both states compare to the national average?
The national average for assisted living is $4,500/month. California is $1,250 above the national average, and Arizona is $0 above.
Do costs vary within each state?
Yes. Metro areas typically run 15–30% above the statewide median shown here. Statewide averages are useful for comparing states, but actual costs depend heavily on the specific city or county.
Related Comparisons
See full breakdown: Elder care in California · Elder care in Arizona · All state comparisons · Cost by state (all 50)