By James Whitaker, LSW · June 25, 2026
Assisted living and memory care
In 2026, assisted living across South Florida generally runs $3,500 to $7,500 a month, with premium communities exceeding $8,000. Memory care typically adds $1,000 to $2,000 on top. Palm Beach County's premium corridors (Boca Raton, coastal Delray) run higher; value-oriented options are more common in parts of Miami-Dade and the western Palm Beach communities.
Adult family-care homes and in-home care
Small adult family-care homes — often the best cultural and language fit in Hispanic communities — typically run $2,500 to $5,500 a month and are frequently the most affordable residential option. In-home care runs roughly $28 to $38 an hour, with live-in and 24-hour arrangements priced higher; for someone who needs only a few hours of help a day, this can be cheaper than a residential move.
Skilled nursing and what Medicare covers
Medicare covers short-term skilled-nursing rehab after a qualifying 3-day inpatient hospital stay (full first 20 days, a daily copay days 21–100). It does not cover long-term care; private-pay skilled nursing runs $9,000 to $13,000+ a month. Florida SMMC Medicaid can help eligible residents with the care portion.
Getting real numbers
Advertised "starting at" rates rarely reflect the all-in cost once care-level add-ons are included. Always get a written quote with every line item and the rate-increase history. We help families build apples-to-apples comparisons across communities — free. Start here.
Why the sticker price is rarely the real price
Almost every community advertises a "starting at" rate, and almost no one pays it. The base rate typically covers the room, meals, and a minimal level of care; the real monthly cost is built up from care-level assessments and add-ons — help with bathing and dressing, medication management, incontinence care, mobility assistance, even escort to meals. Two residents in identical apartments can pay very different amounts based on their care points. Beyond care add-ons, watch for one-time community or move-in fees, second-person fees for couples, and the community's history of annual rate increases (5–8% a year is common and compounds fast). The only way to compare honestly is to get a written quote for your parent's specific care level with every line item, plus the increase history for the past three years. Do that for each community on your shortlist and the true differences appear — they're often the opposite of what the brochures suggest. We build these apples-to-apples comparisons for families at no cost, so you're deciding on real numbers.