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Most Kennewick families start their home care search with one question: what is this going to cost? The short answer is that agency home care in Washington runs about $45 an hour in 2025, one of the highest rates in the country. What your family actually pays depends on how many hours of care your loved one needs each week.
This guide covers local rates, the difference between agency and private-hire caregivers, and the programs that can help Tri-Cities families pay for care.
How much does home care cost per hour in Kennewick?
The CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey puts the Washington median for a non-medical caregiver at $102,960 a year for 44 hours of care a week. That works out to about $45 an hour. The national median is $35 an hour, and Washington ranks second highest in the nation for in-home care costs.
Kennewick rates vary by agency, by the type of care, and by the schedule. Overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts often cost more. The best way to get a real number is to ask for a written rate during a free in-home consultation.
What does home care cost per month?
Monthly cost comes down to hours. Using the $45 statewide median as a planning number:
- 10 hours a week (a few mornings of help with bathing, meals, and errands): about $1,950 a month
- 20 hours a week (weekday support while family members work): about $3,900 a month
- 44 hours a week (full-time daytime care): about $8,580 a month
Families who need care around the clock usually compare hourly shifts with live-in care, which is structured differently and can cost less than 24 hours of hourly care.
Agency care vs. hiring a private caregiver
Listing sites often show private caregivers in the Tri-Cities charging less per hour than an agency. That lower rate leaves a lot out. When you hire someone directly, you become the employer. You handle payroll taxes, liability, background checks, and finding a replacement when your caregiver is sick or on vacation.
An agency rate includes that work. With Mother's Arms Homecare, your family gets screened and trained caregivers, a local care manager, backup coverage, and a care plan that changes as your loved one's needs change. Our guide to choosing home care in Kennewick lists the questions to ask any agency before you sign.
What affects the cost of home care?
- Hours per week. This is the biggest factor by far.
- Type of care. Companionship and errands cost less than hands-on personal care or dementia care.
- Schedule. Nights, weekends, and holidays can raise the hourly rate.
- Minimum visit length. Most agencies set a minimum number of hours per visit.
Does Medicare pay for home care in Kennewick?
Medicare does not pay for long-term non-medical home care, such as help with bathing, meals, or companionship. It may cover short-term skilled home health care after a hospital stay when a doctor orders it. Families looking for help paying for ongoing care usually look at these options instead:
- Apple Health (Washington Medicaid). Programs such as COPES can pay for in-home personal care for people who qualify medically and financially.
- WA Cares Fund. Washington's long-term care benefit can help eligible residents pay for in-home care. Check eligibility at wacaresfund.wa.gov.
- Long-term care insurance. Many policies cover in-home care. Ask your provider about the elimination period and daily benefit.
- VA Aid & Attendance. Wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities may qualify for a tax-free monthly benefit. See our veterans care page to learn how we help families get started.
For free help sorting out public benefits, contact Southeast Washington Aging & Long Term Care. Its Kennewick office is at 3311 W. Clearwater Ave., Suite D100.
Is home care cheaper than assisted living in the Tri-Cities?
For seniors who need help for part of the day, home care usually costs less. CareScout reports a national median of $6,200 a month for assisted living in 2025, and Washington runs higher. Twenty hours a week of home care costs less than that, and your loved one stays in their own home. Once care needs reach 24 hours a day, assisted living or live-in care often becomes the more affordable option. A care manager can walk you through the numbers for your situation.
Get a home care estimate for your family in Kennewick
Mother's Arms Homecare is a locally owned, non-medical home care agency with an office at 100 N Fruitland St., Suite B, in Kennewick. We serve families in Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, West Richland, and across the Tri-Cities.
Every family starts with a free in-home consultation. We'll learn your loved one's routines, recommend the right number of hours, and give you a clear pricing overview. You can also read about home care costs in Yakima if you also have family in the Yakima Valley.
