How much does a nursing home cost in South Carolina?
The median nursing home cost in South Carolina is $7,890 per month for a private room and $6,950 per month for a semi-private room in 2026, based on the Genworth Cost of Care Survey. That's roughly $94,680 per year for a private room.
South Carolina nursing home costs run 19% below the national median. The state has a higher-than-average Medicaid asset limit at $9,900.
2026 South Carolina senior care costs at a glance
| Care type | South Carolina median/month | National median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing home (private) | $7,890 | $9,733 | -19% |
| Nursing home (semi-private) | $6,950 | $8,669 | -20% |
| Memory care | $5,050 | $6,244 | -19% |
| Assisted living | $3,850 | $4,995 | -23% |
| Home health aide (hourly) | $24 | $33 | -27% |
See your exact spend-down timeline for South Carolina
Enter your savings, income, and care type to see how long your money lasts before reaching South Carolina Medicaid asset limits.
Open the South Carolina calculator →Nursing home costs by South Carolina city
Costs vary by metro area within the state. Urban markets typically run 10–25% above state medians, while rural areas can be 10–20% below.
City-level estimates are based on 2026 Genworth metro-area data. Individual facility costs vary 20–40% from these medians depending on amenities, staffing ratios, and room type.
South Carolina Medicaid for nursing home care
South Carolina Medicaid covers nursing home care for residents who meet both medical eligibility (need for skilled nursing care) and financial eligibility (limited assets and income). Understanding the rules before you need them can save your family hundreds of thousands of dollars.
South Carolina Medicaid 2026 asset limits
Individual applicant: $9,900 in countable assets
Married couple, one spouse applying: Community spouse may keep up to $148,620 under the Community Spouse Resource Allowance, plus the home, one vehicle, and personal belongings
The 5-year look-back period in South Carolina
South Carolina Medicaid reviews all asset transfers made within 60 months (5 years) of your application date. Gifts to family, property transfers below market value, or large unexplained withdrawals trigger a penalty period that delays Medicaid eligibility — during which you must private-pay.
South Carolina's 2026 penalty divisor is approximately $245 per day. A $50,000 unexplained transfer would create roughly a 204-day penalty period, costing your family approximately $53,652 in private-pay costs.
This is why elder law attorneys consistently advise families to begin Medicaid planning at least 5 years before nursing home care is needed.
Find a South Carolina elder law attorney
The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys maintains a state-by-state directory of certified elder law attorneys.
Find a South Carolina attorney →How South Carolina compares to neighboring states
Cost differences across state lines can be substantial. Some families consider relocating for care, particularly if adult children live across a border.