How long will Mom's savings last in assisted living?

The number families dread but never calculate. Plug in the real numbers and find out.

The national average for assisted living in 2026 is around $5,500/month. Memory care runs $1,500-$2,500 above that. In high-cost states (NY, MA, NJ, CA, the District) you can add 30-50% on top.

Here's the part nobody likes: the math is straightforward. Monthly cost minus monthly income equals the burn rate. Starting savings divided by the burn rate equals the runway. There's no algorithm needed. Just the willingness to look.

What this calculator doesn't include

It doesn't include selling the house — which, in much of the country, can fund several years of care all by itself. It doesn't include long-term care insurance benefits, if you have them. It doesn't include a Medicaid spend-down at the end, which is what most families end up doing after savings run out.

What it does show is the cliff. The point where you go from "we have options" to "we're applying for Medicaid." Knowing where that cliff is buys you the runway to plan, sell, downsize, or get an elder-law attorney involved before you fall off it.

What you should do once you see the number

1. If the runway is under 24 months: Talk to an elder-law attorney about Medicaid planning this month. The 5-year look-back means anything you do now matters for the next five years.
2. If it's 24-60 months: Start the Medicaid conversation now anyway. Run the math on selling the house. Look at long-term care insurance options.
3. If it's 60+ months: You have time, but don't relax. Care needs escalate. The cost line above doesn't bend down.