Home Care vs. Assisted Living Cost in Dallas
- No paid placements
- Sources cited
- Re-checked monthly
Short answer: In Texas, non-medical home care has a median of $30 an hour and assisted living a median of $5,666 a month (CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025). Home care is cheaper if you need fewer than about 44 hours a week. Above that, assisted living usually costs less. These are Texas figures: we couldn't verify Dallas-only medians in CareScout's published tables.
Texas costs side by side (CareScout 2025)
| Type of care | Texas monthly median | Texas annual median | U.S. monthly median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-medical in-home care (44 hrs/week) | $5,720 | $68,640 | $6,673 |
| Assisted living community (private, one bedroom) | $5,666 | $67,992 | $6,200 |
| Adult day health care | $1,950 | $23,400 | $2,058 |
| Nursing home, semi-private room | $5,627 | $67,525 | $9,581 |
| Nursing home, private room | $7,604 | $91,250 | $10,798 |
Where the costs cross over
- Part-time help (20 hrs/week): about $2,600/month at $30/hour, under half of assisted living.
- About 44 hrs/week: about $5,720/month, roughly the same as the assisted living median ($5,666).
- 24-hour care at home: about $21,600 for a 30-day month, nearly four times assisted living.
What each price includes
- Home care: you pay only for caregiver hours. Housing, food, utilities, and home modifications are extra, but the person stays at home. Live-in arrangements may be priced differently, so ask agencies.
- Assisted living: the monthly fee usually covers the apartment, meals, and some help with daily activities. Higher care levels, memory care, and medication management often cost extra, so ask each community for its levels-of-care pricing.
- Adult day care can be combined with part-time home care to give family caregivers a break at lower cost.
Paying for either option
Medicare doesn't pay for long-term custodial care in either setting (Medicare.gov). Options include long-term care insurance, VA pension with Aid & Attendance, and Texas Medicaid STAR+PLUS, which can provide help at home. See paying for home care in Dallas and does Medicare pay for home care?
Frequently asked questions
Is home care cheaper than assisted living in Texas?
It depends on hours. CareScout's 2025 Texas medians are $30/hour for a non-medical caregiver and $5,666/month for assisted living. At about 44 hours a week, home care costs roughly the same as assisted living. Fewer hours cost less, and round-the-clock care costs much more.
How much does assisted living cost in Dallas?
We couldn't verify a Dallas-specific median from CareScout's published tables, so we use the Texas figure: $5,666 per month ($67,992 per year) for a private one-bedroom in an assisted living community (CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025). Ask Dallas communities for current rates.
How much does 24-hour home care cost compared with assisted living?
At the Texas median of $30/hour, 24-hour care for a 30-day month is about $21,600 (our arithmetic), nearly four times the Texas assisted living median of $5,666 per month.
Does Medicare pay for assisted living or home care?
Medicare doesn't pay for long-term custodial care, whether at home or in assisted living (Medicare.gov). Texas Medicaid STAR+PLUS, VA benefits, and long-term care insurance may help.
Related guides
- Dallas home care cost (hourly & monthly)
- How to choose a home care agency
- Best home care agencies in Dallas
Sources
- CareScout (Genworth) Cost of Care Survey 2025, median cost data tables (PDF)
- CareScout, Cost of Care tool
- Medicare.gov, Long-term care coverage
- Texas HHS, STAR+PLUS
Please note: This guide is general information for families, not medical, legal, or financial advice. Prices, ratings, and program rules change; confirm directly with agencies, the VA, and Texas HHS. We are brand-neutral and do not accept payment for placement.