Cost is almost always the first question families ask. The numbers below reflect 2026 ranges quoted by communities and agencies in the Myrtle Beach area. Within any one care type, the spread is wide — location, room size, level of care, and whether services are bundled vs. à la carte each move the price by hundreds or thousands per month.
At-a-glance: 2026 monthly cost ranges
| Care type | Typical monthly cost | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Independent living | $2,000 – $4,500 | Private pay |
| 55+ active adult | $200 – $400 HOA + mortgage/rent | Private |
| Assisted living | $3,000 – $6,500 | Private, LTC insurance, SC Medicaid waiver |
| Memory care | $4,500 – $7,500 | Private, LTC insurance |
| Nursing home (long-term) | $7,500 – $10,000+ | Private, then SC Medicaid |
| Short-term rehab (post-hospital) | Medicare-covered up to 100 days | Medicare Part A |
| Home care (hourly) | $28 – $38 / hour | Private, LTC insurance, VA Aid & Attendance |
| Home care (24-hour) | $18,000 – $22,000 / month | Private, LTC insurance |
| Hospice | Medicare-covered | Medicare Part A |
Assisted living cost in Myrtle Beach
Most assisted living communities along the Grand Strand quote $3,000 – $6,500 per month for a base apartment. Inland communities in Conway and the Highway 544 corridor sit at the lower end; oceanfront-adjacent and continuing-care campuses like The Lakes at Litchfield (Pawleys Island) and Brightwater (Myrtle Beach) sit at the upper end. Add $500 – $1,500 per month in care-level surcharges for residents who need significant help. One-time community fees of $2,000 – $5,000 are common at move-in.
Memory care cost
Memory care in the Grand Strand typically runs $4,500 – $7,500 per month — $1,000 – $2,000 above standard assisted living because of secured environments, higher staffing ratios (typically 1:5 to 1:8 during the day), and dementia-specific programming. Some communities use an all-inclusive flat rate; others charge a base plus care levels. Always ask for a sample monthly bill at the level of care you actually expect.
Independent living and 55+ community cost
Independent living runs $2,000 – $4,500 per month with most services bundled — meals, housekeeping, transportation, and social programming. Continuing-care retirement communities (CCRCs) often charge an entrance fee in exchange for guaranteed access to higher levels of care later. 55+ active-adult communities are a different category — you buy or rent a home, pay $200 – $400 per month in HOA dues, and handle your own meals and care.
Nursing home and short-term rehab cost
A semi-private room in a Grand Strand nursing home generally runs $7,500 – $10,000 per month; private rooms run higher. Short-term rehab after a hospital stay is covered by Medicare for up to 100 days per benefit period (with cost-sharing after day 20). Long-term custodial care is paid privately until assets are spent down, after which South Carolina Medicaid takes over for those who qualify.
Home care cost in Myrtle Beach
Most local home care agencies charge $28 – $38 per hour for non-medical care, with small discounts for longer shifts and live-in arrangements. Twenty-four-hour around-the-clock home care in the Myrtle Beach area typically runs $18,000 – $22,000 per month. That is usually the price at which families start comparing home care to a move to assisted living.
How families pay for senior care
Most families combine sources rather than relying on any single one. The common building blocks:
- Private pay — Social Security, pension, retirement savings, and home-sale proceeds.
- Long-term care insurance — Older policies often pay a daily benefit for assisted living, memory care, and home care once activities-of-daily-living triggers are met.
- SC Medicaid Community Choices waiver — Covers personal care services (not room and board) for income- and asset-qualified residents at participating assisted living communities and home care agencies.
- SC Medicaid long-term care — Covers nursing home care after a spend-down. The Medicaid look-back period in South Carolina is 60 months.
- VA Aid & Attendance — Eligible wartime veterans and surviving spouses can receive a monthly benefit that offsets assisted living or home care.
- Medicare — Covers short-term skilled services (post-hospital rehab, home health, hospice) but not custodial care.
For a deeper walkthrough see our paying for senior care guide.
How to ask for a real number from a community
- Tell the community the specific level of help you currently need (e.g., medication management, two transfers per day, one shower assist).
- Ask for an itemized monthly bill at that level — base rent, care-level surcharge, community fee, and any extras.
- Ask what triggers a re-assessment and how often rates change.
- Ask what services are not included, so you can plan for those separately.
Ready to compare specific communities?Browse our local directory of assisted living, memory care, independent living, nursing homes, and home care in the Myrtle Beach area — every listing includes contact info so you can ask for an itemized quote directly.