If you are searching for the cost of an old age home in India, you have probably seen numbers all over the place. That is because there is no single price. What you pay depends on the care your parent needs, the city, the room type, and the facility's medical setup.

This guide gives you real 2026 figures, a clear breakdown by care type and city, the deposits and hidden fees to watch for, and practical ways to save money without cutting corners on care.

Quick answer: old age home cost in India

In 2026, an old age home in India typically costs between ₹10,000 and ₹2,00,000 per month, depending on the level of care.

• Charitable / free homes: ₹0 to ₹10,000 per month (for eligible, low-income seniors)
• Basic paid old age home: ₹12,000 to ₹25,000 per month
• Assisted living: ₹30,000 to ₹70,000 per month
• Memory care / high-dependency care: ₹75,000 to ₹1,50,000+ per month
• Luxury senior living: ₹80,000 to ₹2,00,000+ per month

Most facilities also charge a one-time admission fee (₹10,000 to ₹50,000) and a refundable security deposit, which can range from ₹10,000 in basic homes to several lakhs in premium communities.

Old age home monthly cost

The typical old age home monthly cost in India in 2026 is ₹15,000 to ₹35,000 for a basic to mid-range paid home. Trust-run homes charge ₹1,200 to ₹15,000 a month, organised assisted living starts near ₹30,000, and premium communities pass ₹1,00,000.

• The realistic floor is ₹1,200 to ₹5,000 per month at a trust-run vridh ashram. Guru Vishram Vridh Ashram in Delhi charges ₹1,200 for a single senior and ₹2,000 for a couple.
• The most common paid bracket is ₹12,000 to ₹30,000 per month. Samarth and ImpactGuru both publish that same band for budget private homes in Mumbai, which makes it the closest thing India has to a national going rate.
• Budget the quote plus a third. Add-ons typically run 15% to 40% of the monthly bill once medicines, physiotherapy and a personal attendant are billed, so a ₹25,000 headline fee lands nearer ₹32,000.

Old age home charges: what is included and what is billed extra

Old age home charges cover the room, meals, housekeeping, linen, basic nursing and 24-hour security. Doctors, medicines, physiotherapy, a dedicated attendant, special diets and AC electricity sit outside the monthly fee at almost every operator.

• Operators across India describe the identical split. Accommodation, meals, housekeeping, laundry, security and emergency response sit inside the fee. Physiotherapy, medicines, tests and specialist care sit outside it.
• Laundry is included only up to a stated allowance. Some Mumbai homes bill it as its own line at around ₹2,000 per month, on top of an otherwise all-in package.
• Insist on rates, not descriptions. "Physiotherapy extra" is not a price. "₹600 per session, three sessions a week" is, and it is the only version you can put in a budget.

Vridh ashram fees

Vridh ashram fees run from ₹0 at government-supported and NGO homes to about ₹50,000 a month at paid ashrams with medical staff on site. Most trust-run vridh ashrams charge a nominal ₹1,200 to ₹5,000 per month.

• Named Delhi rates: Guru Vishram Vridh Ashram charges ₹1,200 per month for one senior and ₹2,000 for a couple, plus roughly ₹500 for advanced medical care. Anand Ashram charges around ₹8,000.
• The paid band runs ₹5,000 to ₹50,000 per month, with location and medical cover doing most of the work in that spread.
• A free seat still costs about ₹3,500 a month to run. Haryana's Samarth Vriddh Sewa Ashram Scheme, 2024 budgets ₹2,500 per resident per month for food and ₹1,000 for daily expenses. Any home quoting far below that is either subsidised elsewhere or cutting something.

Cost of an old age home by care type

The level of care is the single biggest factor in what you pay. A healthy, active senior needs far less support than someone with dementia or someone who is bedridden.

Assisted living costs more than independent living because staff help with daily tasks and monitor health. If you want to understand what that daily support actually covers, read our guide to assisted living.

Memory care is the most expensive tier. It needs specially trained caregivers, a secure layout, and much higher staff attention, which is why fees jump. See how memory care differs from regular assisted living before you compare quotes.

Cost of an old age home by city

Where the home is located moves the price a lot. Metros like Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru cost more because of higher property and staff costs. Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are noticeably cheaper for the same quality of care.

The figures below are indicative 2026 market estimates for organised, professionally run facilities. Always confirm the exact rate with each facility.

Bengaluru is India's most active senior living market, holding around 19.2% of the market in 2025 according to Mordor Intelligence, which is why it has both budget and premium options in every part of the city.

One thing that table does not show matters just as much. Every large Indian city runs two parallel markets: the organised operators priced above, and a charitable, trust-run market that sits a whole tier below them. The city sections below give you both.

Old age home monthly cost in Mumbai

An old age home in Mumbai costs ₹25,000 to ₹1,50,000 per month at an organised operator, and ₹1,500 to ₹20,000 per month at a trust-run home. Budget private homes cluster at ₹12,000 to ₹30,000.

• Independent sources agree on the budget band. Samarth and ImpactGuru both publish ₹12,000 to ₹30,000 for budget private homes in Mumbai. BHN Home Healthcare sits inside it, while its managed packages start at ₹47,000.
• Trust-run homes are a tier below the organised market. Aaijidevi Care Foundation charges ₹1,500 to ₹8,000, St Anthony's Home for the Aged ₹5,000 to ₹20,000, and Senior Citizens Caring Center ₹8,000 to ₹10,000.
• Admission fees are the highest in India here, at ₹20,000 to ₹50,000 one-time, because Mumbai property costs feed straight into the entry charge.
• Premium Bandra and Juhu communities start around ₹1,20,000 per month. Compare shortlisted homes on Elkin's Mumbai senior living page before you visit.

Old age home monthly cost in Chennai

An old age home in Chennai costs ₹10,000 to ₹90,000 per month. Charitable homes start near ₹3,000, free NGO seats exist for eligible seniors, and premium assisted living runs ₹45,000 to ₹90,000.

• Chennai operators publish the same premium band: ₹45,000 to ₹90,000 per month for a private AC room with 24/7 nursing, onsite doctors and physiotherapy.
• Free and NGO-run homes charge ₹0 to ₹3,000 per month, but the seat is means tested through the District Social Welfare Office rather than sold.
• Chennai is the cheapest large metro to enter. Organised care starts at ₹10,000 here against ₹25,000 in Mumbai, for broadly comparable basic residential care. Browse verified options on Elkin's Chennai senior living page.

Old age home monthly cost in Hyderabad

An old age home in Hyderabad costs ₹15,000 to ₹90,000 per month at organised facilities, but the trust-run market runs far below that, from ₹2,500 to ₹15,000. Independent city guides put the whole Hyderabad spread at ₹3,000 to ₹40,000, which reflects how much of the city's capacity is charitable.

• Rajeswari Foundation charges ₹2,500 per resident per month for accommodation and meals, the lowest published rate in the city.
• Mid-market named rates: Sri Matha ₹8,000 single and ₹10,000 double; Akshaya ₹8,000 single to ₹18,000 double; Smiles ₹15,000 single to ₹35,000 family room.
• Retirement apartments are priced as rent, not care. PPReddy lists 1 BHK from ₹6,000 and 2 BHK from ₹11,000 per month, with care bought separately, so those figures are not comparable to an assisted living fee. See what each tier includes on Elkin's Hyderabad senior living page.

Old age home in Delhi: cost

An old age home in Delhi and Delhi NCR costs ₹20,000 to ₹1,50,000 per month at organised facilities. Charitable and trust-run homes charge ₹1,200 to ₹15,000, one of the widest gaps between the two markets anywhere in India.

• The four Delhi tiers: charitable ₹1,000 to ₹5,000; basic residential ₹5,000 to ₹15,000; assisted living ₹15,000 to ₹40,000; premium senior living ₹40,000 to ₹1,00,000 and above.
• Named rates: Guru Vishram Vridh Ashram ₹1,200; Anand Ashram ₹8,000; HelpAge India ₹10,000 shared and ₹15,000 private; Silver Lining ₹8,000 to ₹12,000 by room type.
• Gurgaon pulls the top of the range up. Delhi proper holds most of the charitable capacity, while Gurgaon holds most of the ₹1,00,000-plus communities, so the same search covers two very different markets. Filter by budget on Elkin's Delhi senior living page.

Old age home monthly cost in Kolkata

An old age home in Kolkata costs ₹15,000 to ₹80,000 per month at organised facilities and ₹3,500 to ₹15,000 at trust-run homes. Kolkata is the most affordable large metro for basic residential care.

• The three Kolkata tiers: basic shared ₹5,000 to ₹12,000; assisted living ₹15,000 to ₹40,000; premium retirement homes ₹40,000 to ₹1,00,000.
• Named rates: Maa Kali ₹3,500 to ₹5,500; Anandaashram ₹4,999; Shantineer around ₹7,000; Shantiniketan Home around ₹15,000; Shibasram ₹25,000 single and ₹50,000 for a couple.
• Check whether GST is included at the premium end. Kolkata operators quoting ₹55,000 single and ₹65,000 double state those rates plus GST, so ask for the tax-inclusive figure before you compare them with an all-in quote elsewhere. Compare like for like on Elkin's Kolkata senior living page.

Paid old age home in Himachal Pradesh: price

Himachal Pradesh has almost no organised paid senior living market, so paid old age home prices there track the Tier-2 band of ₹8,000 to ₹40,000 per month rather than metro rates. Most beds in the state sit in government and NGO homes run through the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.

• The state publishes a register of old age homes across Shimla, Mandi, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, Palampur and Lahaul and Spiti. Capacity, not price, is the binding constraint.
• Hill-station assisted living is a small private niche. Vishranti in Palampur is the best known example. These facilities quote individually and publish no rate card, so ask for a written itemised quote rather than expecting a listed price.
• A formal pay-and-stay tier exists next door, not here. Haryana lets seniors with annual income above ₹2 lakh pay for a seat in a state old age home, while those under ₹1.80 lakh, women, and residents over 80 get priority for free seats. Himachal publishes no equivalent tier, so confirm terms with the district office directly.

Free vs paid vs mixed old age homes

Not every old age home charges the same way. There are three broad types.

• Free (charitable) homes. Run by trusts, NGOs, or donation-funded groups. They charge nothing or a nominal fee (up to about ₹10,000) and mainly serve destitute or low-income (BPL) seniors. Care is basic.
• Paid homes. Residents pay monthly fees. These offer better medical care, staffing, safety features, and lifestyle amenities.
• Mixed homes. Some residents pay full fees while others are subsidised. Common in trust-run facilities that balance service and sustainability.

Government-supported old age homes are free for those who qualify on income grounds, but seats are limited and waiting lists are common.

Government free old age home price list

Government-supported old age homes charge ₹0 to ₹3,000 per month, and no national price list exists because the seat is means tested rather than priced. Eligibility decides what you pay, not a rate card.

• Chennai: apply through the District Social Welfare Office. Applicants are generally 60 or over, with limited or no income and no immediate family support. Little Drops in Sriperumbudur, recognised by the Tamil Nadu government, provides free shelter, food and medical care.
• Mumbai: government seats are free for BPL and destitute seniors, but waiting lists run long, so the practical fallback is a trust-run home at ₹1,500 to ₹8,000 per month.
• What a free seat costs to provide: Haryana budgets ₹2,500 per resident per month for food plus ₹1,000 for daily expenses under its 2024 scheme. Treat roughly ₹3,500 a month as the real floor for basic residential care anywhere in India.

Do old age homes take money?

Yes, most old age homes in India take money. Paid homes charge a monthly fee plus a one-time admission fee, and only charitable, NGO and government-supported homes take nothing from eligible low-income seniors.

• Three payment models exist: free (means tested), paid (full monthly fee), and mixed (some residents subsidised by others in the same home).
• Even free homes accept contributions. Many take a nominal payment of up to about ₹10,000 a month from families who can afford it, and that money funds the subsidised seats.
• A large lifetime deposit is not rent. A home asking ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh upfront is selling occupancy rights, so get the refund percentage in writing before you pay anything.

Deposits and one-time charges you should expect

The monthly fee is only part of the picture. Most paid homes ask for money upfront. Understand these before you sign.

Some premium communities offer two payment routes: a large one-time lifetime deposit with lower monthly charges, or a monthly-plan deposit that is often 100% refundable. Always get the refund policy in writing. A verbal promise at admission is not enforceable.

Hidden and extra charges to watch for

Many homes advertise a low "headline" rate that leaves out services families use often. These add up fast.

Common extra charges include:

• Specialist doctor visits and prescribed medicines
• Physiotherapy and rehabilitation sessions
• A dedicated personal attendant (₹6,000 per month for daytime; up to ₹15,000 for 24-hour care)
• Hospital transport and emergency support
• AC room charges (often ₹500+ per month extra) and laundry
• Salon, grooming, and special diet charges

Also check the fee escalation clause. Reputable homes state an annual increase, usually 5% to 8%, in the Service Level Agreement (SLA). Anything above 8% without a clear reason is worth questioning. For a deeper checklist, see our guide to budgeting for senior living costs and hidden fees.

Always ask for a complete itemised quote based on your parent's actual needs, not the base brochure price.

Kitchen overhead charges in addition to per meal charges at retirement homes

Standard meals sit inside the monthly fee at almost every Indian retirement home, so a separate per-meal charge usually signals a day-care, respite or meals-only plan rather than full residency. Kitchen overhead is not billed as its own line in India. Operators recover it through the base fee and through diet surcharges.

• Meals-only day rates are published and low. St Anthony's Home for the Aged in Mumbai charges ₹200 per day for meals only, against ₹500 to ₹1,000 per day for a full respite stay.
• Some homes split food out of the base fee. Samaritan Old Age Home in Mumbai charges ₹4,000 to ₹10,000 per month by room type, then adds ₹500 a month for food and beverages and ₹2,000 for medical assistance.
• Diet surcharges are where kitchen cost actually reaches you. Diabetic, low-sodium, texture-modified and specific regional-cuisine meals are charged above the base fee at most operators.
• Ask two questions at every visit: how many meals a day the fee covers, and what a prescribed therapeutic diet adds per month. A home that cannot answer the second is not costing its own kitchen properly.

6 factors that decide the cost

1. Level of care needed. Independent, assisted, or memory care. This drives price more than anything else.
2. City and locality. Metros cost more than Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, and premium localities cost more within the same city.
3. Room type. Shared rooms are cheaper; private, deluxe, or AC rooms cost more.
4. Medical infrastructure. 24/7 nursing, on-call doctors, and emergency systems raise the price.
5. Staff-to-resident ratio. Around 1:10 for active seniors, but 1:3 or 1:1 for dementia or bedridden care. Higher attention means higher fees.
6. Amenities and lifestyle. Physiotherapy, activities, wellness programmes, and resort-style facilities add to the cost.

How to get the best value (without cutting care)

• Match the tier to real needs. Do not pay for memory care if your parent only needs companionship and light help.
• Consider Tier-2 cities. Places near your hometown often offer the same quality for less.
• Ask for an itemised cost sheet. Compare like-for-like, including extras.
• Read the deposit and escalation terms before paying anything.
• Visit more than once and watch how staff treat current residents.

Old age home vs home care: which costs less?

If your parent is mostly mobile and mentally alert, home care can be an alternative. A part-time or full-time attendant at home costs roughly ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 per month for basic support, though it rises to ₹25,000 to ₹60,000 in metros and much more for round-the-clock, multi-shift care.

Home care feels cheaper at first, but as needs grow, a residential old age home with shared medical staff and 24/7 support often becomes better value and safer. The right choice depends on your parent's health, your budget, and how much daily supervision they need.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an old age home cost per month in India?

In 2026, most old age homes in India cost between ₹10,000 and ₹2,00,000 per month. Basic paid homes run ₹12,000 to ₹25,000, assisted living ₹30,000 to ₹70,000, and memory or luxury care ₹75,000 to ₹2,00,000+ per month, depending on care level, city, and room type.

Are there free old age homes in India?

Yes. Charitable trusts, NGOs, and government-supported homes offer free or nominal-fee care for eligible low-income and destitute seniors. These provide basic shelter, meals, and care, but seats are limited and waiting lists are common.

Do old age homes charge a deposit?

Most paid homes charge a one-time admission fee of ₹10,000 to ₹50,000 (usually non-refundable) and a refundable security deposit that ranges from ₹10,000 in basic homes to several lakhs in premium communities. Premium homes may also offer a lifetime deposit of ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh, often about 60% refundable. Always get refund terms in writing.

Why is memory care more expensive than assisted living?

Memory care for dementia and Alzheimer's needs specially trained staff, a secure layout, and a much higher staff-to-resident ratio (often 1:3 or 1:1). This intensive, round-the-clock supervision is what pushes memory care fees well above standard assisted living.

Which city is cheapest for old age homes in India?

Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are generally the most affordable, often ₹8,000 to ₹40,000 per month for comparable care. Among metros, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata tend to be more affordable than Delhi NCR or Mumbai, and Kolkata is the cheapest large metro for basic residential care.

What hidden costs should I check before choosing an old age home?

Ask about doctor visits, medicines, physiotherapy, personal attendant charges, AC and laundry fees, special diets, hospital transport, and the annual fee escalation (usually 5% to 8%). Request a full itemised quote rather than relying on the advertised base rate.

Comparing old age homes for your parents? Elkin is India's senior living portal to find and compare assisted living, memory care, independent living and skilled nursing nearby, by city and budget, so you know exactly what you are paying for.