Image of nurses' hands at computer keyboard

The average daily cost of a private room in a nursing home increased just 1.5% over last year’s cost, according to the annual MetLife Market Survey of Nursing Home & Home Care Costs.

The average cost is $206 per day, or $75,190 annually. Alaska again reported the highest room rates at $578 per day, while the Shreveport area of Louisiana reported the lowest rates at $111 per day. MetLife’s Mature Market Institute conducted the study.

Areas with some of the most costly private nursing home room rates include New York City, San Francisco, and Stanford, CT. Some of the nation’s lowest room rates can be found in Birmingham, AL, Wichita, KS, and St. Louis, according to the study.

The entire survey report can be seen at http://www.metlife.com/WPSAssets/18756958281159455975V1F2006NHHCMarketSurvey.pdf.