ElderCareCost

Elder Care Cost: Minnesota vs Wisconsin (2026)

Minnesota assisted living runs $4,600/month — $0/month less than Wisconsin's $4,600/month. That's $0/year.

Minnesota

$4,600

assisted living/month

+$100 vs national avg

Wisconsin

$4,600

assisted living/month

+$100 vs national avg

Minnesota vs Wisconsin — All Care Types

Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.

Care Type Minnesota Wisconsin
Assisted Living $4,600/mo $4,600/mo
Nursing Home — Private Room $10,950/mo $9,855/mo
Nursing Home — Semi-Private $9,855/mo $8,943/mo
In-Home Aide (44 hrs/week) $5,910/mo $5,339/mo
Adult Day Care $1,733/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, Minnesota costs $55,200/year vs Wisconsin's $55,200/year.

Monthly gap

$0

Annual gap

$0

2-year care

$0

% difference

0%

Assisted living only. Nursing home gap: $1,095/month ($13,140/year).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is elder care cheaper in Minnesota or Wisconsin?

Minnesota is cheaper for assisted living at $4,600/month, vs. $4,600/month in Wisconsin — a $0/month gap. Wisconsin comes out ahead on 4 of 5 care categories.

How do nursing home costs compare between these states?

A private nursing home room in Minnesota runs $10,950/month vs. $9,855/month in Wisconsin. 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. Minnesota is $100 above the national average, and Wisconsin is $100 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.