Cost of Assisted Living in New York City, New York

This guide provides information on senior care costs in the city of NYC, New York, and surrounding areas. You will find information here about available state resources and local non-profit programs to help pay for the costs of assisted living in NYC. Read our guide to paying for senior care in New York for more details and contact information for NYC aging agencies.

The Cost of Senior Living and Care in New York City

Senior care costs vary in NYC, depending on the type of care needed. Day services for elders averages at $1,950 a month in NYC, which is slightly higher than the state average. According to the 2018 Genworth Cost of Long Term Care Study, home care is around $100 less, but other care services for elders cost more on average than the rest of the state. Assisted living is $5,916 a month, nearly $2,000 more than the state average.

How much does Assisted Living Cost in New York City?

Assisted living in New York City is nearly $2,000 more per month on average than the state average and national median costs. Much more affordable assisted living can be found slightly north in Kingston, which averages $4,100 a month. Syracuse, another nearby city, is also in that range at $4,185. The least expensive region, according to our research, is Glen Falls at $2,600 monthly. On the more expensive end, Albany and Ithaca both average at $5,000 or more a month.   

How much does Home Care Cost in New York City?

Home care in New York City is an average of $4,576 a month, which is similar to other areas in the state. Some places are slightly more expensive, like Ithaca which averages at $5,100 a month for home care. Syracuse is the most expensive area, averaging at $5,329 a month.

How much does Adult Day Care Cost in New York City?

In New York City, the average cost of adult day health services is over $300 more affordable than the state average. Surrounding areas such as Kingston, at an average of $2,600 a month for services, are much more costly. For those able to live in other areas of the state, costs are much more affordable. The least expensive areas for adult day health care in the north are Albany, Buffalo in the west, and in Watertown, on the north coast; these areas all cost an average of $1,083 a month.

How much does Nursing Home Costs in New York City?

Nursing homes in New York City are about $300 more costly on average per month than the state average. Central locations in the state such as Ithica are dramatically less expensive, at $9,581 a month, followed by Utica at $9,582 on average. The rest of the state averages in this range as well.

Nursing home care in many areas is more expensive than in NYC. Albany and Kingston both average at over $12,500 a month and are the most expensive areas. The entire state is at least $2,000 more expensive than the national average. See our New York state research to find more affordable areas in the region for nursing home care.

Financial Assistance Programs in New York City

NYC Medicaid Managed Long Term Care Program

In New York City, eligible seniors can apply for Medicaid benefits to pay for health care costs for services like nursing care and long-term care in a facility. The managed long-term care (MLTC) program is for residents of New York City who meet the following requirements:

• Be age 65 and older, and/or disabled

• Have income no greater than $10,100 annually or $842 a month for one person, and couples can earn up to $14,800 a year, or $1,233 monthly

• Need assistance with at least one activity of daily living (ADL) or personal service for at least 120 days

• Be otherwise eligible for Medicaid and/or Medicare

To apply for the MLTC program and other Medicaid services call (888) 692-6116 or visit NYC Access to screen for benefit eligibility and to apply.

Other Financial Assistance Programs

Assisted Living Program (ALP)

The Assisted Living Program was a state program for eligible seniors to help pay for assisted living costs. It has been phased into the Medicaid Long-Term Care program in NYC since October of 2018.

Consumer-Directed Personal Assistance Program

For adults over than 65 that need help with activities of daily living (ADL) but want to remain in their homes, there is the consumer-directed personal assistance program (CDPAP). This Medicaid program allows Medicaid-eligible elders to choose a personal care assistant who is not their spouse to perform care services in their home. There must be someone willing to direct care, either the elder or their representative (who cannot be the caregiver).

To apply for this program in NYC, elders must speak with the primary care physician provided by their Medicaid Managed Care plan, or their Managed Long-Term Care program caseworker. To apply for Medicaid call (888) 692-6116, or visit NYC Access and take a pre-screening test to see what medical and other benefits you could qualify for.

Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly

The Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly (EISEP) program provides non-medical in-home services to qualified elders age 60 and older who are not eligible for Medicaid. Clients are provided an EISEP case manager and are expected to pay a share of cost based on a sliding-fee scale for the services they receive. Call (212) 639-9675 to apply.

More Senior Living Resources in New York City

NYC Housing Connect Lottery Program

This program manages the lottery for the low to moderate income housing programs. Search through current housing lotteries here. It is extremely advisable to apply for housing as early as possible, as waitlists can have a wait time of 6 months to several years. Some apartments may have a closed waiting list but will update their websites when the list re-opens.

Most low-income housing apartments have income requirements, the state of New York provides tables that are updated annually detailing income limits for all income categories. Below is a list of residences for low-income elders in New York City, including Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. This area has at least 265,000 apartments for low-income residents of NYC, many subsidized for senior citizens. Not all residences have websites.