Senior Care Cost by Province in Canada
If you're comparing homes for a parent and nobody will give you a number on the phone, you're not alone. Here is what providers actually post, province by province.
Source: Senior Care Path analysis of 336 listings that share a starting rate with us, out of 3,530 senior care providers in our directory. Last updated November 2, 2026.
As of November 2026, reported starting rates for retirement homes in Canada range from a median of $1,957 a month in Quebec to $4,062 a month in Alberta, based on 269 retirement homes on Senior Care Path that share a starting price with us in the 4 provinces with enough data.
Nationally, the median reported starting rate is $3,504 a month for a retirement home, $3,584 a month for assisted living, $4,190 a month for memory care and $35 an hour for home care. Starting rates are the entry price, before extra care, so most families pay more once a care package is added.
Do this next
- Find the column for the care you need and note your province's median. That's your benchmark for every quote.
- Check what your province pays for on its provincial benefits page (the table links each one).
- Shortlist homes with our directory and ask each for an itemized fee schedule.
How much does senior care cost in each province?
Each figure is the median reported starting rate in that province, with the number of listings behind it. Where fewer than 5 listings post a rate, we say so rather than guess. Monthly for homes, hourly for home care.
| Province | Listings that share a price | Retirement living (per month) | Assisted living (per month) | Memory care (per month) | Home care (per hour) | Funding & options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 151 | $4,044123 listings | $4,11077 listings | $4,61636 listings | $3521 listings | Options · Benefits |
| Quebec | 85 | $1,95781 listings | $1,95055 listings | $2,02226 listings | Not enough data(2 posted) | Options · Benefits |
| British Columbia | 51 | $3,90235 listings | $3,75417 listings | $8,1028 listings | $385 listings | Options · Benefits |
| Alberta | 40 | $4,06230 listings | $4,35219 listings | $4,35213 listings | $359 listings | Options · Benefits |
| Saskatchewan | 4 | Not enough data(2 posted) | Not enough data(2 posted) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Options · Benefits |
| Manitoba | 3 | Not enough data(3 posted) | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Options · Benefits |
| Nova Scotia | 2 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data(2 posted) | Options · Benefits |
The gap between Quebec and Alberta is $2,105 a month at the median. Before you compare, check what each province helps with: the Quebec benefits guide and the Alberta benefits guide list the credits and programs that can soften the bill.
Computed from our live directory on November 2, 2026.
What does each type of care cost across Canada?
Care level is the biggest driver of cost. The upper-quarter column shows where the top 25% of reported rates begin, a useful marker if you're weighing a full-service or premium residence.
| Care type | Median starting rate | Upper quarter starts at | Listings with a price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retirement living | $3,504 a month | $4,294 a month | 274 |
| Assisted living | $3,584 a month | $4,406 a month | 170 |
| Memory care | $4,190 a month | $5,239 a month | 83 |
| Home care | $35 an hour | $38 an hour | 39 |
Our take: treat the median as your benchmark, not your budget. A higher starting rate is worth it when it buys more care hours, a bigger suite or better staffing, so ask what's included before you compare.
For what moves the price within each type, see our guides to retirement home costs, assisted living costs, memory care costs and home care costs. In Ontario, the Ontario retirement home cost guide goes deeper.
Why do so few providers post a price?
Only 13.9% of the 2,126 senior living homes and 2.8% of the 1,369 home care agencies in our directory post a starting rate. Most quote after a visit, because the suite and the care level set the price.
That's why the figures above come from a minority of providers, and why comparing still means a few phone calls. To weigh homes on more than price, use our Confidence Score.
How did we calculate these figures?
A reported starting rate is the lowest monthly price (homes) or hourly price (home care) a provider lists on Senior Care Path, before extra care or add-ons. We take the median, which resists outliers, across every listing however it was added, as of November 2, 2026.
We drop rates outside $1,000 to $20,000 a month or $15 to $100 an hour as data errors, and show a median only where at least 5 listings post a rate. The sample: 336 priced listings out of 3,530. This is not a government census.
Frequently asked questions
Which province has the cheapest retirement homes?
Among provinces where at least 5 homes share a starting price with us, Quebec has the lowest median retirement home rate at $1,957 a month (81 homes), as of November 2026. Alberta is the highest at $4,062 a month. These are starting rates before care, so the suite and care package you choose move the final bill.
How much does senior care cost in Ontario?
As of November 2026, Ontario retirement homes on Senior Care Path start at a median of $4,044 a month (123 homes), and home care agencies that post a rate charge a median of $35 an hour (21 agencies). Assisted living starts at a median of $4,110 a month. Our Ontario cost guides explain what a higher price buys.
What is the average cost of memory care in Canada?
The median reported starting rate for memory care in Canada is $4,190 a month, from the 83 memory care homes on Senior Care Path that post one as of November 2026. That sample is small, because most memory care homes quote after an assessment. Expect the full monthly bill to sit above the starting rate once care is added.
How much does assisted living cost in Canada?
As of November 2026, assisted living homes on Senior Care Path that share a price with us start at a median of $3,584 a month (170 homes), and the upper quarter starts at $4,406 a month. Only Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta have enough published prices for a provincial median. Care hours and suite size drive the rest.
How much does home care cost per hour in Canada?
Home care agencies on Senior Care Path that share a price with us charge a median of $35 an hour, from 39 agencies as of November 2026. That's only 2.8% of the 1,369 agencies we list, so treat it as a benchmark for a quote. Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta have enough rates for a provincial median.
Why don't most senior care providers list their prices?
As of November 2026, 13.9% of the 2,126 senior living homes on Senior Care Path share a starting price with us. Rates depend on the suite, the care level and extras like medication help, so most homes quote after a visit or assessment. Ask for an itemized fee schedule so you can compare homes on the same terms.
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Senior care cost by province, Canada
Cite as: Senior Care Path (2026). Senior care cost by province, Canada. https://seniorcarepath.ca/data-insights/senior-care-cost-by-province-canada/ Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Free to cite with attribution to Senior Care Path. For custom analysis, see Data & Insights.