That\u2019s nearly twice as much as the median household income<\/a> in Michigan.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also more than 11% more than the median cost for the US.<\/p>\n The gaps in cost between Michigan and the US was even wider in shared, or semi-private, rooms.<\/p>\n Related:<\/p>\n The median cost for nursing homes across the US for a semi-private, or shared, room was $114,975 in 2025; in Michigan, the median cost is $135,050 for Michiganders \u2014 a more than 17% gap.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a problem of supply and demand \u2014 both among consumers and among staffing backbone of nursing home care, said Samir Shah, CEO of CareScout.<\/p>\n Michigan is aging faster than most states<\/a> \u2014 1.9 million residents, or nearly 1 in 5, are already 65 or older, putting more demand on the state\u2019s limited long-term care infrastructure.<\/p>\n At the same time, high turnover and more scrutiny of nursing homes during COVID has forced higher pay for staffing.<\/p>\n The result?<\/p>\n \u201cYou have a bit of a trifecta happening where all of these drivers are working in opposite directions,\u201d Shah told Bridge Michigan. \u201cYou need more care. You have less care. And the care that is there is asking for more money.\u201d<\/p>\n The report highlights a variety of care costs across the state \u2014 from about $100,000 a year for a private room in the Jackson area to more than $160,000 for a private room in Ann Arbor and Lansing areas.<\/p>\n And dollar figures don\u2019t equate to quality, Shah noted.<\/p>\n Michigan\u2019s nursing home industry includes five-star facilities, quality care and exceptional staff.\u00a0 But a Bridge investigation published in January also highlighted understaffing, neglect and abuse at many homes. In some cases, residents died as a result.<\/p>\n \u201cMost families don\u2019t know what questions to ask. They don\u2019t know to ask \u2018Do you have specialists that come in to check up on Mom or Dad, or do they have to travel out?\u2019 \u2018Is there a bus service that takes them to a Trader Joe\u2019s or a Whole Foods just to sort of walk around?\u2019 \u2018Are there exercise classes?\u2019\u201d Shah said.<\/p>\n Read more about choosing a nursing home: Choosing a nursing home can be tough; these tips can help<\/a><\/p>\n Costing everybody<\/p>\n The annual Cost of Care Survey dates to 2004. It examines costs for services, including non-medical caregiving, such as home health aids, as well as private duty nursing, adult day health care services, assisted living communities, and nursing homes.<\/p>\n Its 2025 report is based on more than 25,000 data points across the US.<\/p>\n Many of the costs are passed onto taxpayers.<\/p>\n Notably, Michigan\u2019s nursing homes receive an estimated $3 billion each year in Medicaid, according to a special report<\/a> released last year to outline possible Medicaid cuts under the Big, Beautiful Bill. Medicaid covers costs for lower-income Michiganders, but also for once-wealthier residents whose assets have run out.<\/p>\n The high cost of care, compounded with quality concerns, has some long-term care advocates calling for alternatives<\/a>, including supports that help people age at home<\/a>, Green House homes or the Programs of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly.\u00a0<\/p>\n Nursing homes are necessary for many older residents, but as Gen X\u2019ers age into long-term care, many will demand alternatives to aging facilities and care that demands big price tags, said Stephanie Winslow, executive director of the PACE Association of Michigan.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a different generation. They don\u2019t accept the status quo. They\u2019re looking for better alternatives,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Thank you to our Michigan Health Watch Sponsors<\/p>\n Bridge Michigan Health Watch is made possible by generous financial support from our sponsors. Sponsorship supports our independent journalism mission but does not constitute sponsor endorsement of individual articles or editorial content. Bridge Michigan journalism remains fact- and data-driven and independent at all times.<\/p>\n Please visit the\u00a0About<\/a>\u00a0page for more information and to\u00a0subscribe<\/a>\u00a0to Health Watch. Interested in becoming a sponsor?\u00a0Contact Emma Carr<\/a>.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n![\"People](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/02272026_green_house_home_EE-14.jpg\")
Proponents of programs such as Green House homes and the Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE, say they offer less expensive alternatives to nursing home care. (Emily Elconin for Bridge Michigan)<\/p>\n
![\"Creative](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1760992808_63_cc-by-nd-4.0.png\"\/)
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