How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Virginia in 2026?

Assisted living in Virginia costs about $6,945 a month, or roughly $83,340 a year, according to CareScout’s newest Cost of Care Survey.

That’s about $745 more than the national median of $6,200 a month.

Northern Virginia’s Washington, D.C. suburbs push that number even higher, while Southwest Virginia and Hampton Roads often land well under it.

Nationally, assisted living prices rose 5% over the past year, according to CareScout, and Virginia’s rates have risen right along with that trend.

The final bill depends on where you live, how much daily help you need, and whether you qualify for a state grant or a Medicaid waiver.

Note: This is general information, not financial or medical advice. Costs, programs, and eligibility rules are subject to change, so confirm current details with a professional.

Assisted Living vs. Nursing Home vs. Home Care

Assisted living costs less than a nursing home in Virginia, and the gap is significant.

A semi-private nursing home room runs about $10,250 a month in Virginia, and a private room costs $11,680.

That’s a steep difference every month.

Home care lands closer to assisted living’s price, at $6,673 a month for a non-medical caregiver working 44 hours a week.

Full-time, around-the-clock home care usually costs more than either option, since it stacks hourly rates around the clock instead of spreading them across one shared building.

Nursing homes exist for a different reason than assisted living, too.

Virginia licenses nursing homes through the Virginia Department of Health, for residents who need ongoing skilled nursing and medical treatment.

Assisted living stays non-medical by design, built for residents who need daily help, not round-the-clock clinical care.

Northern Virginia vs. the Rest of the State

A one-bedroom assisted living apartment near the Capital Beltway costs a lot more than the same apartment two hours south.

Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax County sit inside the Washington, D.C. metro labor market, where caregiver wages and real estate run among the highest in the country.

Communities near Inova Health System and Virginia Hospital Center compete for the same staff as hospitals and federal contractors nearby.

Location makes the difference.

Head toward Roanoke, Lynchburg, or the Hampton Roads area around Norfolk and Virginia Beach, and prices generally ease.

Richmond and Charlottesville land somewhere in the middle, pulled up by Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health and University of Virginia (UVA) Health but still short of Northern Virginia’s rates.

Ask any Virginia facility for its current rate sheet before you commit to a tour, since the same chain can charge very different rates county to county.

What Drives Your Monthly Bill

Virginia licenses assisted living communities as assisted living facilities (ALFs), and the term covers a wide range of care levels.

The Virginia Department of Social Services defines an ALF as a congregate residential setting that provides 24-hour supervision for four or more adults who are aged, infirm, or disabled.

Most facilities use a state-standard tool called the Uniform Assessment Instrument (UAI) to score how much help a resident needs with dressing, bathing, medication, and other daily activities.

A higher score means a higher monthly fee.

A private room costs more than a shared room.

Memory care for residents living with dementia adds another jump, often 15% to 30% on top of the standard rate.

Move-in fees, medication management, and transportation frequently show up as separate line items too.

Read the rate sheet twice.

Virginia's Average Assisted Living Cost

Virginia's statewide median works out to $228 a day, based on that same 2025 survey.

CareScout has tracked long-term care pricing across the country since 2004, pulling rates from thousands of providers every year.

Virginia's assisted living costs run well above the national median.

Not cheap.

Next door, the same survey put North Carolina's median at $6,496 a month, a few hundred dollars below Virginia's.

Maryland runs higher still, at $7,173 a month, while West Virginia sits lower, at $6,340.

Virginia lands in the middle of its Mid-Atlantic neighbors, closer to the pricey end than the cheap end.

How Virginia Licenses Assisted Living

The Virginia Department of Social Services, through its Division of Licensing Programs, inspects and licenses every legal assisted living facility in the state.

Administrators carry their own license too, issued by the state's Board of Long-Term Care Administrators.

Ask to see a facility's current license before you tour.

Families can run a free facility search by name, city, or zip code to check inspection history and confirm a license is active.

Skip anything that turns up unlicensed.

An unlicensed home can look just as polished as a licensed home from the curb, so the paperwork is what protects a resident.

Help Paying for Assisted Living in Virginia

Two Virginia programs can lower the bill for residents who qualify.

The Auxiliary Grant, run through the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services and local social services offices, pays a monthly supplement toward room and board at a qualified ALF.

Eligibility hinges on income and assets: Applicants need less than $2,000 in assets for one person, or $3,000 for a couple, plus at least 90 days of Virginia residency.

Apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) first, then request a functional assessment through your local department of social services.

Local offices have 45 days to process an application.

Start early.

The Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC Plus) Waiver works differently.

Administered by Virginia's Department of Medical Assistance Services, this Medicaid waiver pays for personal care and support services for eligible older adults and people with disabilities, whether they stay at home or move into a community setting.

It doesn't cover room and board, though.

Room and board still comes out of a resident's own income, the Auxiliary Grant, or savings.

FAQ

Quick answers to what Virginia families search most about assisted living costs.

How much does assisted living cost in Virginia in 2026?

About $6,945 a month, or $83,340 a year, based on the 2025 Cost of Care Survey. That's above the $6,200 national median.

Does Medicaid pay for assisted living in Virginia?

Not for room and board. The CCC Plus Waiver can cover personal care services for eligible residents, and the Auxiliary Grant helps cover room and board for those who qualify by income and assets.

Is assisted living cheaper than a nursing home in Virginia?

Yes. A semi-private nursing home room runs about $10,250 a month in Virginia, more than $3,000 above the average assisted living rate.

What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in Virginia?

The Virginia Department of Social Services licenses assisted living facilities, which stay non-medical. Nursing homes fall under the Virginia Department of Health instead, for residents who need ongoing skilled nursing care.

Where is assisted living most expensive in Virginia?

Northern Virginia, especially Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax County, inside the Washington, D.C. metro labor market. Southwest Virginia and the Hampton Roads area generally run lower.