Philadelphia Cost Reality
Philadelphia has the highest nursing home costs among the five largest U.S. cities.
- • $437/day for semi-private care ($159,505 annually)
- • 43% above the national median ($305/day)
- • 26% higher than Los Angeles ($347/day)
- • 124% higher than Houston ($195/day)
- • 2.6 average star rating - mixed quality landscape
Philadelphia's 50 nursing homes serve over 223,000 seniors aged 65 and older. The city presents a challenging combination of high costs and mixed quality, making careful facility selection essential.
Philadelphia at a Glance
The Cost Challenge
At $159,505 annually for semi-private care, Philadelphia's costs create significant financial pressure for families:
- • $88,330 more per year than Houston
- • $32,850 more per year than Los Angeles
- • $37,230 more per year than Chicago
- • Over a typical 2.5-year stay: approximately $398,762 total cost
These high costs make Pennsylvania Medicaid planning critical for most families. Few can afford to self-pay for extended periods at these rates.
Quality Landscape
Philadelphia's 2.6 average star rating puts it in the middle—better than Chicago (2.0) and LA (2.3), but below Houston (3.0) and Phoenix (3.1). The distribution:
- • 7 five-star facilities (14%)
- • 6 four-star facilities (12%)
- • 11 three-star facilities (22%)
- • 14 two-star facilities (28%)
- • 12 one-star facilities (24%)
Key insight: 26% of Philadelphia facilities (13 total) have 4+ star ratings. Given the high costs, families should strongly prioritize these top-rated facilities to ensure they're getting value for significantly higher expenses.
Top-Rated Philadelphia Nursing Homes
Philadelphia's 13 facilities with 4+ star ratings should be your primary focus. Here are the seven 5-star facilities:
5-Star Facilities (7 total)
4-Star Facilities (Sample - 6 total)
For complete information about all Philadelphia facilities, visit our Philadelphia nursing home directory.
Choosing a Philadelphia Nursing Home
Given Philadelphia's high costs, it's critical to ensure you're getting quality care. Here's your approach:
Prioritize the 13 Facilities with 4+ Stars
At $437/day, you cannot afford to compromise on quality. Start with the 13 top-rated facilities and only consider lower-rated options if you have no alternatives.
Understand Pennsylvania Medicaid
Pennsylvania Medicaid (Medical Assistance) will be essential for most families:
- Income limit: Approximately $2,742/month (2025)
- Asset limit: $2,000 for individuals
- Spousal protections: Community spouse can retain higher asset amounts
Critical step: Before admission, confirm in writing that the facility accepts Pennsylvania Medicaid and has Medicaid beds available. Some high-quality facilities limit Medicaid acceptance or require extended private-pay periods.
Philadelphia-Specific Considerations
- Neighborhood accessibility: Consider public transit access via SEPTA for family visits
- Hospital proximity: Philadelphia has excellent hospitals; consider facilities near major medical centers
- Cultural/religious services: Many Philadelphia facilities have Catholic, Jewish, or other faith-based affiliations
- Building age: Many Philadelphia facilities are in older buildings; check renovation status
Cost Planning Strategy
At $437/day, even $200,000 in savings covers only 13.8 months of care. Most families will need to:
- • Consult an elder law attorney about Medicaid planning immediately
- • Understand spousal impoverishment protections to preserve assets for surviving spouse
- • Consider spend-down strategies to accelerate Medicaid eligibility
- • Explore long-term care insurance benefits if available
Compare All Philadelphia Nursing Homes
View detailed quality ratings, costs, and inspection reports for all 50 Philadelphia facilities.
View Philadelphia Facilities →