How much does senior care cost in Tennessee?

How much does senior care cost in Tennessee? In-home care costs about $30 an hour, while assisted living runs about $5,500 to $6,000 a month. Nursing home care costs considerably more, at roughly $9,400 to $10,000 a month depending on the room type.

Tennessee costs are generally below national medians, but what you pay depends on where your loved one lives and how much support they need. Your choice of care can also have a big effect on the monthly cost.

Below, we’ll compare senior care costs across Tennessee, including Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville. We’ll also cover ways to pay for care and how in-home care on Herewith compares with a traditional agency.

A note on costs: The figures in this guide are rounded estimates based primarily on CareScout’s 2025 median cost data. Your actual costs may vary based on location, provider, type of care, and the amount of support your loved one needs.

Key takeaways

• In-home care in Tennessee costs about $30 an hour, assisted living about $5,600 a month, and nursing home care $9,400 to $10,000 a month.
• Tennessee’s median costs for in-home care, assisted living, and nursing homes are all below the national medians.
• TennCare CHOICES can help eligible residents pay for nursing home care or certain home and community-based services.

Types of senior care available in Tennessee

Tennessee families choose from four main types of senior care: in-home care, assisted living, nursing homes, and memory care. Tennessee runs below the national average for most of these settings, though costs rise as your loved one needs more intensive support.

Here’s an overview of the costs for each type of senior care in Tennessee.

In-home senior care costs

In-home care in Tennessee costs about $30 an hour. Your rate will depend on where you live, how much care you need, and the type of support your loved one receives.

In-home care is different from home health care. Non-medical caregivers can provide companionship, meal preparation, personal care, and help around the home, while home health care can include skilled nursing and therapy ordered by a health care provider.

Medicare may cover home health services if your loved one meets eligibility requirements, but it doesn’t cover personal care when that’s the only support they need.

Herewith offers a way to schedule flexible, affordable non-medical in-home care. You set your budget and book Helpers directly on Herewith, paying only for the hours you book. Herewith can cost up to 50% less than traditional care agencies.

Assisted living costs

Assisted living in Tennessee costs about $5,600 a month. Your loved one’s monthly rate can change based on location, apartment type, and how much care they need.

In Tennessee, you may see assisted living communities licensed as Assisted Care Living Facilities, or ACLFs. Pricing varies by community, so check what the monthly rate includes. Meals, housekeeping, utilities, activities, and personal care may be included or charged separately, and costs can rise as your loved one needs more support.

TennCare CHOICES may help eligible residents pay for certain care services in an assisted living facility. The program doesn’t cover room and board, so residents are still responsible for those costs.

If assisted living is outside your family’s budget, it’s helpful to compare assisted living rates with in-home care rates, to see which type of care is a better fit.

Nursing home costs

Nursing home care in Tennessee costs about $9,400 a month for a semi-private room and $10,000 for a private room. That’s considerably more than assisted living, reflecting the higher level of care nursing homes provide.

Nursing homes provide 24-hour supervision and access to nursing care for people with more complex health and personal care needs. If you’re comparing facilities, Medicare’s Care Compare tool can help you review staffing, health inspections, and quality ratings in your area.

If your loved one doesn’t need this level of care yet, researching nursing home alternatives can help you find a more affordable option.

Memory care costs

Memory care in Tennessee generally starts around $6,000 a month, though prices vary considerably by location, room type, and level of care. Your loved one may pay more as their support needs increase.

Memory care provides specialized support for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. These communities offer secured living areas, staff trained in dementia care, and structured daily routines designed around residents with memory loss.

How does senior care cost differ by city in Tennessee?

Senior care costs vary by city in Tennessee, especially for assisted living. Nashville tends to be more expensive, while Knoxville and Memphis generally cost less.

In Nashville, you can expect assisted living to cost around $5,500 to $6,000 a month, while Knoxville is closer to $4,500 to $5,000. Memphis falls around $5,000 a month, though rates vary by community and level of care.

In-home care prices are closer across the three cities. Expect to pay around $32 an hour in Nashville and Knoxville and about $29 an hour in Memphis.

Use these figures as a starting point as you compare local options and plan for your loved one’s care.

What makes senior care expensive in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, demand, caregiver availability, rural access, and care needs all affect the total cost.

Here’s what can influence the price:

• A growing need for care: Tennessee expects its 60-and-older population to grow by about 11% from 2024 to 2034. As more people need help at home or in residential care, the state will need enough caregivers and services to keep pace.
• Caregiver availability: Tennessee has taken steps to strengthen its home- and community-based care workforce, including new funding to help providers serve more people.
• Rural access: Rural communities may have fewer healthcare facilities, longer travel times, and workforce shortages, which can limit the options available near your loved one.
• Level of care: Costs rise as your loved one needs more supervision or specialized care.

Knowing what’s behind the cost can help you make sense of the prices you see as you compare care options.

How to pay for and save on senior care in Tennessee

Several Tennessee programs may help reduce what you pay for senior care. Eligibility depends on your loved one’s finances, care needs, military service, and the type of support they receive.

Here are a few places to start:

• TennCare CHOICES: Tennessee’s Medicaid long-term care program can cover nursing home care or certain home and community-based services for eligible older adults.
• Self-directed CHOICES services: Some CHOICES participants can direct certain home and community-based services themselves. This can give your loved one more control over who provides their care and how that support is arranged.
• VA Aid and Attendance: Eligible veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities may qualify for increased VA pension benefits. The amount depends on factors such as income, dependents, and eligibility.
• Area Agencies on Aging and Disability: Tennessee’s regional AAADs can connect you with local caregiver support, respite care, adult day services, and other programs. Some respite programs may also help offset the cost of giving a family caregiver time away from caregiving.

Start exploring assistance before your loved one needs more care. Applications and eligibility reviews can take time, and learning what your loved one qualifies for now can make future care decisions easier.

Consider Herewith for affordable in-home senior care

Traditional care agencies build operating costs into the hourly rate you pay. Herewith gives you another option by connecting you directly with background-checked, insured Helpers in your area.

You set your budget and book the hours your loved one needs. This gives you more control over the cost of care, and care on Herewith can cost up to 50% less than traditional care agencies.

In-home care isn’t always the least expensive option, especially when your loved one needs support around the clock. But if they can safely stay at home with part-time or flexible help, Herewith can be an affordable way to get the support they need.

Learn more about finding in-home senior care in Tennessee on Herewith and browse Helpers in your area.

Tennessee families also ask

Is senior care cheaper in Tennessee than the national average?

Yes, for several major types of care. Tennessee’s median costs for in-home care, assisted living, and nursing homes are all below the national medians, though what you pay will vary by location and care needs.

Does Medicaid cover senior care costs in Tennessee?

Yes. TennCare CHOICES can cover nursing home care and certain home and community-based services for eligible Tennessee residents. Your loved one must meet financial and care-level requirements to qualify.

How much does 24-hour home care cost in Tennessee?

At Tennessee’s median in-home care rate of about $30 an hour, 24-hour paid care could cost around $22,000 a month. Actual costs vary based on the provider, schedule, and type of support your loved one needs, so full-time in-home care can cost considerably more than part-time help.

What’s the cheapest way to get senior care in Tennessee?

If your loved one only needs a few hours of support, part-time in-home care can be one of the more affordable options because you pay for fewer hours of care. TennCare CHOICES and local caregiver support programs may also help eligible Tennessee residents reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Is home care on Herewith cheaper than an agency in Tennessee?

It can be. Care on Herewith can cost up to 50% less than traditional care agencies. You set your budget and book Helpers directly on Herewith, giving you more control over how much care you purchase and what you spend.