Part-time in-home care can cost less than assisted living when a senior needs a limited number of scheduled hours and can continue managing the remaining parts of life at home. It is not always the cheaper option once housing expenses, longer care schedules, overnight support, and assisted living fees are included.
Families should compare the same month, care level, and included services before deciding.
Part-time in-home care cost in Indianapolis is usually based on an hourly rate multiplied by the number of scheduled hours. Agencies may also require minimum visit lengths or weekly hours and may charge different rates for weekends, holidays, overnight shifts, or short-notice care.
The Genworth and CareScout 2024 Cost of Care Survey reported an Indiana median of $73,216 per year for homemaker services, based on 44 hours per week for 52 weeks. That equals approximately $32 per hour. The same survey reported an Indiana assisted living median of $64,380 per year, or about $5,365 per month, for a private one-bedroom arrangement. These are statewide planning figures, not Nana Cares quotes or guaranteed Indianapolis prices.
Using the $32 hourly figure only as an illustration:
Actual prices depend on the provider, care plan, location, shift requirements, and requested services. Families can review the full Indianapolis cost comparison for a broader breakdown.
The total cost of aging in place includes both caregiver charges and the expenses required to keep the senior’s home operating.
Families should add:
The National Institute on Aging advises families planning to age in place to consider personal care, transportation, household help, home safety, and possible modifications.
A home care estimate may appear lower than assisted living until these continuing expenses are included. The costs families should compare should also include lost work hours, travel, and nighttime responsibilities carried by family caregivers.
What is included in assisted living cost varies by community. A monthly base rate may include an apartment, meals, utilities, housekeeping, maintenance, activities, and some personal assistance.
Additional charges may apply for:
CareScout’s 2025 survey reported a national assisted living median of $6,200 per month. The survey notes that actual provider prices can differ substantially from local medians based on location, services, and support level.
Families should request a complete written fee schedule instead of comparing a home care quote with an assisted living advertisement.
The answer to “Is home care cheaper than assisted living?” may be yes when the senior needs help at predictable times, remains comfortable at home, and does not require extensive daily or overnight coverage.
Part-time home care may be more affordable when:
As required hours increase, home care can approach or exceed assisted living costs. Families should also consider independence, privacy, supervision, social preferences, home suitability, and caregiver strain through the complete care-setting decision guide.
Medicare generally does not pay for ongoing non-medical long-term care at home or in assisted living, so families should not assume it will cover either arrangement.
Nana Cares provides scheduled non-medical personal care, companion care, homemaker services, respite care, and overnight support for seniors in Indianapolis. The agency’s senior home care in Indianapolis (/seniors-aging-in-place-indianapolis-in/) is arranged according to the needs assessment, care plan, service requirements, and caregiver availability.
Book a free non-medical needs assessment to discuss your family’s requested hours and obtain current Nana Cares pricing. Service fit, staffing, payer coverage, and authorization must be confirmed before care begins.
Compassionate, non-medical in-home care for seniors and adults with disabilities across Central Indiana.
Nana Cares provides personal care, homemaker services, companion care, respite care, and overnight support with a warm, professional approach.