Assisted living vs nursing home: what's the difference?
Assisted living is housing with help for daily activities. A nursing home provides 24-hour skilled nursing care. Here's how they compare.
Updated November 2026 · Sources linked in the text · General information, not medical, legal or financial advice.
| Assisted living | Nursing home | |
|---|---|---|
| Care | Help with daily activities, medication help, supervision | Skilled nursing and therapy, plus help with daily activities |
| Who oversees it | State licensing agency (in California: CDSS, as RCFEs) (California Health & Safety Code §1569.2) | State inspectors; homes that take Medicare or Medicaid are rated by CMS (CMS Five-Star Quality Rating System, Technical Users' Guide (Sept 2026)) |
| Medicare | Doesn't pay for it (Medicare.gov: Long-term care) | Short-term skilled care after a 3-day hospital stay only (Medicare.gov: Skilled nursing facility care) |
| Medicaid | Depends on the state (Medicare.gov: Long-term care) | Can pay for long-term care if you're eligible (Medicare.gov: Long-term care) |
| Public quality ratings | State licence and inspection records | CMS 1–5 star ratings, staffing and inspection data |
When assisted living fits
When someone needs help with things like bathing, dressing, meals or medications, plus supervision, but doesn't need nursing care around the clock.
When a nursing home fits
When someone needs skilled nursing every day: after a hospital stay for rehab, or for ongoing medical needs that can't be met at home or in assisted living.
Memory care
Memory care is care for people living with dementia, usually in a secure unit of an assisted living community or nursing home. Ask how staff are trained and how residents are kept safe.
Quick answers
Is assisted living cheaper than a nursing home?
Usually, because it provides less medical care, but prices vary widely by location and level of care. Ask each home for its full monthly price and what it includes.
Can you go from assisted living to a nursing home?
Yes. If someone's needs grow beyond what the assisted living home is licensed to provide, a nursing home may be the next step.