Cost is usually the first question families ask when a parent starts needing help every day, and it is often the hardest one to get a straight answer to. This guide sets out what assisted living costs in Burnsville and across Minnesota in 2026, what is normally included in the monthly price, how it compares with in-home care and nursing homes, and which programs can help pay for it.
The short answer: what assisted living costs in Minnesota
According to the CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey, the median cost of assisted living in Minnesota is $77,790 a year, or about $6,480 a month, for a private one-bedroom unit. That was up 11% on the year before, and a little above the national median of $74,400 a year.
Prices in the south metro, including Burnsville, Apple Valley, Eagan, Lakeville and Savage, sit around that range. The real number for your family depends on three things:
- The level of care. Help with medication only costs less than daily help with bathing, dressing, transfers and incontinence care.
- The room. A private room costs more than a shared one, and a private bathroom can add to the price.
- The type of residence. Large communities with many amenities price differently from small residential homes like ours.
How assisted living compares with other care options
Families are often surprised that assisted living is not the most expensive option. Here are the 2025 Minnesota medians from the same CareScout survey, converted to approximate monthly figures:
| Type of care | Minnesota median (per year) | About per month |
|---|---|---|
| Assisted living (private one-bedroom) | $77,790 | $6,480 |
| In-home care, non-medical caregiver (44 hours a week) | $100,672 | $8,390 |
| Nursing home, semi-private room | $127,750 | $10,650 |
| Nursing home, private room | $166,440 | $13,870 |
In-home care can be the cheaper choice when someone only needs a few hours of help a week. Once a person needs someone nearby day and night, in-home care quickly becomes more expensive than assisted living, and the 44-hour figure above still leaves the nights uncovered.
What the monthly price usually includes
Most assisted living prices in Minnesota have two parts: room and board (the room, meals, utilities and housekeeping) and care services (the hands-on help a person needs). When you compare residences, ask for both parts in writing so you are comparing like with like.
At Twin Cities Living Assistance, daily life includes:
- A furnished room in a family-style home in Burnsville
- Three home-cooked meals and two snacks a day
- Housekeeping and laundry
- Help with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting and moving around the home
- Medication management, with registered nurses and licensed practical nurses available for health assessments
- Trained staff on site 24 hours a day
- Activities, outings and time on the deck and in the yard
Because we care for no more than five residents at a time, each care plan is built around one person rather than a building schedule.
Questions that reveal the real cost
A low starting price can rise quickly once care fees are added. Before you sign anything, ask each residence:
- Is care included in the monthly rate, or charged on top by level or by task?
- What happens to the price if my parent’s needs increase?
- Are there one-time fees, such as a community fee or deposit?
- What is included for medications, incontinence supplies, transportation and outings?
- How much notice do you give before a price increase?
- Do you accept Elderly Waiver or other Minnesota waiver programs?
Ways to pay for assisted living in Minnesota
Private pay
Many families use savings, pensions, Social Security or the sale of a home. Some families share the cost between siblings.
Long-term care insurance
If your parent has a long-term care insurance policy, read its terms for assisted living. Many policies pay a daily or monthly amount once a person needs help with a set number of daily activities. Call the insurer early, because most policies have a waiting period before payments start.
Elderly Waiver and other Medicaid waivers
Minnesota’s Elderly Waiver (EW) can pay for care services, called “customized living”, in assisted living for people who:
- are 65 or older,
- are eligible for Medical Assistance (Minnesota’s Medicaid program), and
- need a nursing home level of care, which is decided through a MnCHOICES assessment.
The waiver covers care services. Room and board are usually paid by the resident, and some people with low incomes can get help with that part through the state’s Housing Support program. Adults under 65 may qualify for other waivers, such as CADI, BI or DD.
Twin Cities Living Assistance accepts referrals for Elderly Waiver, CADI, BI, CAC and DD. Our guide to Minnesota Medicaid waivers explains the programs in more detail, and case managers can use our referral form.
Veterans benefits
Veterans and surviving spouses who served during wartime may qualify for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit, which can help pay for assisted living. A county veterans service officer can help with the application at no cost.
Where to get free advice
Minnesota Aging Pathways (formerly the Senior LinkAge Line) gives free help with care options and paying for care. Call 1-800-333-2433, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Why a small home can be good value
In a large community, the price often covers amenities your parent may never use. In a small residential home, more of what you pay goes into direct care and attention. Families tell us the difference shows up in small things: staff who know how a resident likes their coffee, meals cooked in a real kitchen, and someone who notices quickly when a person is not themselves.
Get a clear price for your family
Every resident’s needs are different, so the only accurate price is one based on an assessment of your loved one. Call us at (612) 964-2222 or send us a message to talk through your situation and get our current rates. You are also welcome to take a virtual tour or schedule a visit to our Burnsville home.
Cost figures are from the CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey for Minnesota (published March 2026). Monthly figures are the annual medians divided by 12 and rounded. Program rules change, so please confirm eligibility with your county or Minnesota Aging Pathways.
