Assisted Living Cost in New York: 2025 Medians and the Medicaid ALP

Assisted Living Cost in New York: 2025 Medians and the Medicaid ALP

Key takeaways

• CareScout 2025 New York median assisted living: $7,110/month ($85,320/year)—above the U.S. median of $6,200/month.[1][2]

• NYC and downstate markets can exceed the statewide median; upstate quotes may be lower.

• Medicare does not cover most custodial AL.[3]

• New York’s Assisted Living Program (ALP) (NYS Department of Health) serves people who are medically eligible for nursing home placement in a less intensive setting. The program is capacity-limited (NYSDOH states a limit of 4,200 residents; roughly 85% Medicaid).[4]

• Medicaid ALP services must be approved in advance by the Local Social Services District.[4]

• Related: Assisted living and memory care costs (hub)

• Related: Long-term care options

• Related: Medicaid eligibility

• Related: Long-term care insurance and costs

• Related: Family caregiver guide

• Related: Aging in place: home modifications

• Related: How to find SHIP/SHIBA

New York cost range (CareScout 2025)

Survey July–November 2025; CareScout PDF tables opened.[1][2]

Memory care: No CareScout 2025 dedicated memory-care median in tables we opened—get written quotes.

Medicare reminder

Medicare.gov marks most long-term custodial care Not Covered.[3] New York HIICAP/SHIP: how to find SHIP/SHIBA.

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New York Assisted Living Program (ALP) — how to inquire

NYSDOH describes the ALP as serving people medically eligible for nursing home placement but in a less medically intensive, lower-cost setting. Covered service themes listed by NYSDOH include personal care, room, board, housekeeping, supervision, home health aides, personal emergency response, nursing, therapies, medical supplies/equipment, adult day health care, a range of home health services, and RN case management.[4]

Eligibility themes from NYSDOH (not a determination):[4]

• Medically eligible for—and would otherwise require—nursing home placement due to lack of a suitable home environment (applies to Medicaid recipients and private-payers described on the page)
• Must not require continual nursing care, be chronically bedfast, or endanger other ALP residents’ safety
• Program limited to 4,200 residents

How to find services (per NYSDOH): Private-payers and Medicaid recipients may contact an ALP directly; Medicaid recipients must have ALP services approved in advance by the Local Social Services District.[4]

Official page: NYSDOH Assisted Living Program (ALP).

Also explore Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) pathways via NYSDOH for other community LTSS—program rules differ from ALP. Confirm with your local district. Broader concepts: Medicaid eligibility. Screen only:

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Eldercare Locator: eldercare.acl.gov / 1-800-677-1116.

Practical checklist for New York families

1. Collect two fee sheets in the target borough/county.
2. Ask whether the residence operates an ALP and whether it has openings within the statewide capacity limit.
3. For Medicaid: contact the Local Social Services District before assuming ALP services will be paid.[4]
4. Compare home supports: aging in place.
5. Caregiver coordination: family caregiver guide.

FAQ

Is New York’s median among the higher states?
CareScout 2025 shows NY AL median $7,110/month vs national $6,200.[1][2] Always get local quotes.

Can we private-pay into an ALP?
NYSDOH states private-payers and Medicaid recipients may contact the ALP directly, with medical eligibility themes applying to both; Medicaid still needs local district prior approval for Medicaid-paid ALP services.[4]

Sources

1. CareScout. Cost of Care Report. https://www.carescout.com/cost-of-care. Survey July–November 2025. Accessed October 30, 2026.
2. CareScout. Cost of Care Survey 2025 median tables (PDF). https://assets.carescout.com/x/8fcb50422f/282102.pdf. Accessed October 30, 2026.
3. Medicare.gov. Long-term care. https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/long-term-care. Accessed October 30, 2026.
4. New York State Department of Health. Assisted Living Program (ALP). https://health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/program/longterm/alps.htm. Accessed October 30, 2026.

Disclaimer

This article is for general education only and is not medical, legal, or financial advice. We do not sell facilities, insurance, or cost PDFs. Only NYSDOH, Local Social Services Districts, and related agencies determine Medicaid ALP eligibility. Talk with those agencies, a licensed attorney, or HIICAP/SHIP. In an emergency, call 911.

Attribution

Portions of this page are adapted from "HowToLiveBetter" (高性价比人生指南) by eternity4719, https://github.com/eternity4719/HowToLiveBetter, licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Changes: adapted and rewritten for the U.S. context (not a direct translation), and re-sourced to U.S. research and official guidance.