Updated September 2026
The time has come, and your Boca Raton based loved one needs assistance. They aren’t as independent as they used to be and living alone, at home, is no longer an option.
The options are almost endless, in-home care, nursing homes, assisted livings, the options can be completely overwhelming.
Of course, the first point any family is going to consider is cost. Senior care can be a huge drain on family resources, and it is crucial you do your research properly.
Home care is generally priced per the hour used. There is no one specific home care hourly rate for Boca Raton that we can point to, rates differ based on if they are home care agencies like Nautilus, marketplaces, level of assistance needed and a myriad of other factors.
However, we can discuss average rates and ranges to you give you an idea of the best option for your loved one in Boca Raton. Let’s dive in.
Key Takeaways
The actual cost of home care can vary considerably depending on the number of hours needed, type of assistance, schedule, minimum shifts, and provider.
Home care providers listed on Care.com in Boca Raton have an average starting rate of $23.64 per hour. This is a marketplace starting-rate benchmark and should not be interpreted as the typical rate charged by a full-service home care agency.1
The national median cost of a non-medical caregiver is $35 per hour, according to CareScout’s 2025 Cost of Care Survey.2
At $35 per hour, 20 hours of home care per week costs approximately $3,033 per month, while 44 hours per week costs approximately $6,673 per month.2
Assisted living in Boca Raton costs approximately $6,200 per month, providing a useful comparison for families considering different care arrangements.3
A private nursing-home room in Boca Raton costs approximately $10,798 per month.3
How Much Does Home Care Cost in Boca Raton?
According to Care.com, the home care in Boca Raton is between $23 and $28 an hour. However, Care.com specifically lists advertised rates, most of which can be substantially less than what a family can typically expect to pay once they choose all of the services they really need. The actual number is much closer to the $35 an hour listed by CareScout.12
| Benchmark Hourly Cost | Cost |
|---|---|
| Boca Raton average starting rate (Care.com) | $23.82 |
| Boca Raton average maximum listed rate (Care.com) | $28.21 |
| Florida average starting rate (Care.com) | $21.88 |
| U.S. average starting rate (Care.com) | $23.06 |
| U.S. non-medical caregiver median (CareScout) | $35.00 |
How Much Does Home Care Cost Based on the Hours You Need?
The truth is that the number of hours your loved one needs will often make a much bigger difference to the price you pay than a small difference in hourly rate.
Using the $35 an hour rate, we can calculate your total costs based on hours a week.2
| Hours/Week | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | $350 | ~$1,517 | $18,200 |
| 20 | $700 | ~$3,033 | $36,400 |
| 30 | $1,050 | ~$4,550 | $54,600 |
| 40 | $1,400 | ~$6,067 | $72,800 |
| 44 | $1,540 | ~$6,673 | $80,080 |
| 60 | $2,100 | ~$9,100 | $109,200 |
| 168 | $5,880 | ~$25,550 | $305,760 |
In this chart, 168 hours represents a full-time caregiver, 24-hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. An actual full-time arrangement like that one will probably not be charged on an hourly basis like this chart suggests.
What Does Home Care Cost Per Day?
Looking at these numbers on a day-by-day basis may make this easier to digest. Think about the specific things your loved one needs every day and try to determine how many hours a day you think they will need.
| Daily Care | Daily Cost at $35/hr | Approx. Monthly Cost* |
|---|---|---|
| 4 hours | $140 | ~$4,258 |
| 6 hours | $210 | ~$6,388 |
| 8 hours | $280 | ~$8,517 |
| 12 hours | $420 | ~$12,775 |
| 24 hours | $840 | ~$25,550 |
*Assumes care is provided every day and uses 365 days ÷ 12.
Of course, these numbers change drastically if the care is only needed on weekdays and not weekends.
Is Home Care More Expensive in Boca Raton?
Boca Raton vs. Florida vs. U.S.
Using data from Care.com, we can make some assumptions about the percentage difference in cost between Boca Raton, Florida, and the US in general.1
- Boca Raton: $23.82/hour starting rate
- Florida: $21.88/hour starting rate
- U.S.: $23.06/hour starting rate
Boca Raton is 8.1% more expensive than Florida and 3.1% more expensive than the country in general. This is mostly because of the large senior population in Boca Raton which can raise demand for caregivers. Higher costs of living in the are also a factor.1
How Have Home Care Costs Changed?
Using historical CareScout and Genworth data we can calculate the percentage increase of home care cost across the country. Following a very large 10% increase in 2023, the next two years increased at 3% annually.2
| Year | Non-Medical Home Care Cost | Yearly Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $30/hour | |
| 2023 | $33/hour | 10% |
| 2024 | $34/hour | 3% |
| 2025 | $35/hour | 3% |
What Affects the Cost of Home Care in Boca Raton?
There are many factors that affect the cost of home care, some of them are:
Number of Hours
Caregivers that are hired on an hour by hour basis will increase in cost based on the hours they work.
That being said, not all caregivers work on an hour by hour basis. Some are hired for the entire job, usually when they are serving as a full time caregiver, and these caregivers will not be affected by hourly increases.
Type of Care
There are many levels of home care, all of which may have different cost tiers as well.4
- Companion care – For seniors that can care for themselves but still need daily companionship, someone to talk to, to spend a little time together.
- Homemaking assistance – Some seniors need a little more help, they may be unable or find it difficult to take care of their home and to perform basic homemaking tasks.
- Personal Care – More intensive assistance. This service may include bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and feeding assistance.
- Dementia Support – Seniors with dementia need a much higher level of care and, more importantly, supervision.
- Skilled home health services – This tier is for seniors who need a home care provider who require medical care from a licensed medical provider.4
Minimum Visit Requirements
Another thing that may affect cost are the minimum hours required by the provider. Many providers have a minimum time required to sign up for services. This can drive up the cost for a family that only need a small amount of service.
Example:
If someone only needs two hours of assistance but the provider has a four-hour minimum, the family may be charged for four hours.
Weekends, Holidays and Overtime
Another thing that may drive up the cost of home health care are higher rates on weekends and holidays.
Many providers charge higher rates for overnight care and overtime shifts.
Why Does Home Care Cost More Than a Caregiver’s Hourly Wage?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released Palm Beach Metro figures in 2023 for the average hourly wages for in home care aides. They also published national statistics in 2023 and updated statistics in 2025.56
| BLS Measure | Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach Metro — 2023 | U.S. National — 2023 | U.S. National — 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $15.08 | $16.12 | $17.21 |
| Mean hourly wage | $15.02 | $16.05 | $17.36 |
| Median annual wage | — | $33,530 | $35,800 |
| Mean annual wage | $31,230 | $33,380 | $36,120 |
| Estimated employment | 22,560 | 3,689,350 | ~4.3 million |
| Data period | May 2023 | May 2023 | May 2025 |
In 2023 we can clearly see that the Boca Raton areas is actually a bit under the national average.5
So why is the average payment amount significantly more than that?
The answer is that the agency supplying the aide has costs above and beyond the salary of the aide that need to be covered.
Firstly, the agency will be paying a variety of taxes for the aides employment including, payroll taxes, and worker’s compensation. They’ll also need to have insurance to cover the worker.
Besides for costs related to the home care provider, the agency will need to spend on things like recruiting, screening and vetting, training, and back office employees who handle scheduling and supervision.
Home Care vs. Assisted Living vs. Nursing Home Costs in Boca Raton
One of the most important decisions a family needs to make is choosing between home care and an assisted living facility.
For seniors that require less than 40 hours a week of care, home care should almost always be significantly cheaper.
Once a senior reaches the 40 hour a week level of care, it may be wise to consider an assisted living facility.
| Type of Care | Approx. Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Home care — 10 hrs/week | ~$1,517 |
| Home care — 20 hrs/week | ~$3,033 |
| Home care — 30 hrs/week | ~$4,550 |
| Home care — 44 hrs/week | ~$6,673 |
| Assisted living | ~$6,200 |
| Private nursing-home room | ~$10,798 |
| 24/7 hourly home care* | ~$25,550 |
*Simple calculation using $35/hour rather than a quoted local 24/7-care price.23
Of course, there are many reasons to choose in home care besides for cost.
Many seniors are more comfortable in their own home and may even be located closer to family or children.
When Does Home Care Cost More Than Assisted Living?
Home care offers something assisted living does not, a dedicated aide that spends all of their time caring for the senior under their purview.
While assisted living costs include living quarters, amenities, and some level of care, only in home care offers a dedicated aide specifically for the personal care of that senior.4
When Does Home Care Cost More Than a Nursing Home?
Once a senior is paying for a 12 hour a day aide, senior home care will be more expensive than a nursing home.
This assumes that a nursing home stay is $10,798 per month, and that home care costs $35 an hour.23
This gives you a reference point at which it may be worth considering a nursing home over home care.
How Much Do Assisted Living and Nursing Homes Cost in Boca Raton?
According to CarePatrol (https://carepatrol.com/boca-raton-north-broward/navigating-the-cost-of-senior-living-in-boca-raton-coral-springs-a-financial-planning-guide-for-families/) Assisted living costs between $4,300 and $5,800 a month.
Annually, the average costs range between $48,000 and $69,840 a year with A Place for Mom reporting the typical average cost is $63,204.
For Nursing homes, Paying for Senior Care reports there is a difference between a semi-private room and a private room.
A semi-private room averages $9,019 a month and $108,228 a year, while a private room runs $10,904 per month and $130,848 per year.
Boca Raton Has a Large Senior Population
Boca Raton has a very large senior population, well above the national average.1214
24.7% of the Boca Raton population is 65 and over compared to the national average of 16.8% Neilsberg Research.12
The average age in Boca Raton is 43.5 to 46.0 years old, versus 38.9 to 39.2 nationally.
Approximately 25,000 seniors live in Boca Raton Florida. With a total population of just over 100,000, the senior population is just under a quarter of the total population.12
Of the senior population 9.2% are over 75 and those 85 and older comprising about 4.2%.
Palm Beach County Seniors
In Palm Beach, the total population is about 1.58 million. Of those, about 400,001 are over 65, or around 25.4% of the population.13
Of those, 8.65% are over 75 and about 4% are over 85.
| Area | Population 65+ |
|---|---|
| Boca Raton | 24.7% |
| Palm Beach County | 25% |
| Florida | 21.8% |
| United States | 18% |
Clearly, Boca Raton in particular and Palm Beach County in general, have much larger senior populations than the national average.121314
How Can You Pay for Home Care in Boca Raton?
There are multiple payment options for in home care in Boca Raton, or anywhere in the US for that matter.
Private pay: Literally paying out of pocket using savings, retirement income, family contributions, etc.
Long-term care insurance: Long term care insurance may cover in home care, see below for more information.11
Medicare: Although Medicare may sometimes cover in home care, it cannot typically be relied upon for this kind of coverage.7
Medicaid: Elegibile Florida residents may have coverage though Medicaid based on income and eligibility.891516
Veterans benefits: Eligible veterans and surviving spouses may have access to VA benefits or services that can help with qualifying care.10
Can Long-Term Care Insurance Pay for Home Care?
Yes, long-term care insurance will often pay for in home care.11
Therefore, the first thing you should do when considering in home care, is reach out to your long-term care insurance provider to find out if you may be covered. Here a few crucial pieces of information you will want to find out from them:
- Is there a “Benefit Trigger”? A benefit trigger is a specific need or set of needs a senior requires before they are considered eligible for LTC insurance coverage.11
- Do you have an “Elimination Period”? This would indicate an amount of time you would be required to pay out of pocket before the insurance benefit would kick in. This would typically be 30, 60, or 90 days.11
- Do you have daily or monthly maximum payout amounts?
- Is there a lifetime maximum payout amount that we may run into?
LTC will typically operate within the following benefit range and benefit periods.
- Common daily benefit: $100 – $200 per day
- $3,000 – $6,000 per month
- Benefit period: Commonly 2 – 5 years although some providers base their payout on a total “pool of money” instead
Of course, you always need to check your specific policy as there may significant variance between policies.
Questions to Ask a Boca Raton Home Care Agency About Cost
- What is your hourly rate?
- Is there a minimum number of hours per visit?
- Is there a weekly minimum?
- Are weekends priced differently?
- Are holidays priced differently?
- Is overnight care priced differently?
- How does 24-hour care work?
- Are assessments charged separately?
- Are there transportation or mileage charges?
- What happens if I cancel a scheduled visit?
- Does the rate change based on the type of assistance required?
Find the Right Home Care in Boca Raton and Palm Beach County
Long-term care insurance can make receiving care at home more affordable, but every policy is different. Costs vary based on a variety of factors and it can be overwhelming to unravel.
If you or a loved one needs dependable in-home care in Boca Raton or Palm Beach County, Nautilus Senior Home Care can help. Our caregivers provide personalized support designed to help older adults remain comfortable, safe, and independent in their own homes. We work with you to ensure that the cost and payment plan work for your specific needs.
Contact Nautilus Senior Home Care today to discuss your family’s home care needs and learn how we can help.
FAQ
Is there a minimum number of hours I have to pay for home care?
It depends on the provider. Some home care agencies have minimum visit or weekly-hour requirements, so families should ask about minimums before choosing a provider.
Does Medicare pay for in-home caregivers in Boca Raton?
Medicare may cover qualifying part-time or intermittent skilled home health services, but it generally does not cover ongoing custodial or personal care when that is the only care needed.7
Is 24/7 home care cheaper than assisted living?
Usually not when care is being purchased continuously at an hourly rate. At the article’s $35-per-hour benchmark, a simple 24/7 calculation reaches approximately $25,550 per month.2
Why does a home care agency charge more than the caregiver earns?
An agency’s rate can include expenses beyond caregiver wages, such as payroll costs, workers’ compensation, insurance, recruiting, screening, training, scheduling, and supervision.
How do I know how many hours of home care my loved one needs?
Start with the activities they need help with each day, when that assistance is needed, and whether they can safely remain alone between visits. A home care provider can also assess needs and help determine an appropriate schedule.
References
- Care.com — How much does home care cost in Boca Raton, FL?
- CareScout — Cost of Long-Term Care
- CareScout — Cost of Long-Term Care
- CareScout — Cost of Assisted Living vs. In-Home Care
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — May 2023 Miami Metro OEWS
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — May 2025 National Employment and Wage Data
- Medicare.gov — Home Health Services Coverage
- Florida Agency for Health Care Administration — Long-Term Care Services
- Florida Agency for Health Care Administration — Become Eligible for Medicaid
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners — Shopper’s Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance
- U.S. Census Bureau — QuickFacts: Boca Raton city, Florida
- U.S. Census Bureau — QuickFacts: Palm Beach County, Florida
- U.S. Census Bureau — QuickFacts: Florida
- Florida Agency for Health Care Administration — Who Can Receive Long-Term Care Services
- Florida Agency for Health Care Administration — Covered Services and Waivers
