How Much Does In-Home Care Cost in Florida in 2026?

In-home care in Florida costs about $30 to $32 an hour in 2026, which puts most families near $5,900 a month for full-time help.

That’s roughly $70,000 a year to keep a parent in their own home instead of a facility.

The rate depends on the kind of care, though.

A companion who cooks and keeps someone company costs less than an aide who helps with bathing and medication.

Here’s the part that catches families off guard: Medicare pays almost none of it.

Note: This is general information, not financial or medical advice. Prices, coverage rules, and program details are subject to change, so confirm the specifics for your situation with a professional.

Homemaker, Home Health Aide, or Skilled Nurse

What’s written on your care plan changes the price more than anything else.

A homemaker or companion handles the non-medical side, from cooking and laundry to errands and company for someone who shouldn’t be alone.

That help runs about $30 an hour across Florida.

A home health aide does hands-on personal care, helping with bathing, dressing, and getting around the house.

Expect closer to $31 an hour for that level of help.

Skilled care is a different tier, since it takes a licensed nurse or therapist.

A single skilled nursing visit can run $120 or more, well above what an aide charges.

Training costs money.

What In-Home Care Costs per Hour in Florida

In-home care in Florida is priced by the hour.

In 2026 that hour runs about $31 statewide, according to A Place for Mom.

That’s a shade under the national median of $34.

Rates on the pricier coast, like Naples, run higher, while inland markets like Lakeland come in lower.

Location matters.

Most agencies bill by the hour with a minimum shift, often four hours, so you still pay a set charge even for a quick daily visit.

What Full-Time Care Costs a Month

Full-time in-home care is where the hours pile up fastest.

At 44 hours a week, the Florida rate comes to about $5,900 a month.

Move up to a live-in aide who sleeps at the house, and you’ll pay $5,500 to $10,000 a month.

True around-the-clock staffing, with shifts covering every hour, costs far more than that.

Part-time help is what most families choose.

Twenty hours a week, enough to cover mornings and medication, costs about $2,700 a month instead.

Buy only what you need.

Estimate Your Own Monthly Cost

Your number comes down to two things: How many hours you need and the rate your agency charges.

No spreadsheet required.

Plug in both below, and the math turns into a monthly and yearly figure you can plan around.

Does Medicare Pay for In-Home Care?

Medicare is the coverage families count on for in-home care.

But it helps far less than they expect.

Original Medicare pays for skilled home health, like part-time nursing or physical therapy, but only when a doctor orders it and you're homebound.

It won't cover a homemaker, a personal-care aide, or 24-hour help when that's the only care you need.

So the daily hands-on help most families are after falls outside Medicare almost entirely.

That surprises people.

A Medicare Advantage plan may include a few hours of in-home support, but the benefit is capped and varies by plan.

How Florida Medicaid Can Help

Medicaid is the program that does pay for long-term in-home care, and Florida runs it through a managed-care system.

The Long-Term Care program under Statewide Medicaid Managed Care covers personal care, homemaker services, and adult day care for people who qualify.

Qualifying means clearing both an income limit and a medical-need level, and a nurse assessment decides the second part.

Here's the catch: Many regions keep a waitlist, so approval doesn't always mean help starts right away.

Apply early.

Anyone who can private-pay might also lean on a long-term care insurance policy, if they bought one before the need arrived.

How In-Home Care Compares to a Facility

In-home care looks expensive by the hour, until you line it up against a facility.

Assisted living in Florida averages about $4,600 a month, per A Place for Mom.

It bundles a room, meals, and some daily help.

A nursing home is the steep end, at roughly $10,000 a month for a semi-private room and closer to $12,000 for a private room.

Adult day care is the cheapest option, around $90 a day for supervision, meals, and activities while family works.

The table sorts it out.

FAQ

Quick answers to what Florida families ask most about paying for in-home care.

How much does in-home care cost in Florida in 2026?

About $30 to $32 an hour, or roughly $5,900 a month for full-time care at 44 hours a week. Companion care sits at the low end, and skilled nursing at the high end.

Does Medicare cover in-home care in Florida?

Only skilled, part-time care that a doctor orders for a homebound patient. It doesn't pay for homemaker help or personal care when that's the only care you need.

What is the difference between a homemaker and a home health aide?

A homemaker handles cooking, cleaning, and errands. A home health aide adds hands-on personal care like bathing and dressing, and usually costs a little more per hour.

Will Florida Medicaid pay for in-home care?

Yes, through the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care program, for people who meet its income and medical-need limits. Many regions have a waitlist, so apply early.

Is in-home care cheaper than assisted living?

Part-time in-home care usually costs less than assisted living, which averages about $4,600 a month in Florida. Full-time or around-the-clock in-home care costs more.