How much does sober living cost?

What sober living typically costs

Sober living is paid like rent, and prices track local housing costs. A shared room in a smaller city usually costs far less than a private room in a major metro area. Each listing in our directory shows the home's starting price when the operator has shared it.

Most homes charge weekly or monthly. Many also charge a one-time move-in fee or deposit, so the first payment is often larger than a normal month.

Sober living cost by state

We don't yet have enough listed prices to publish state-by-state figures. Each state's sober living directory shows the starting price on every listing that has one.

What rent usually includes

What a home includes varies, so ask each home for its list. Rent commonly covers:

• A furnished bed, in a shared or private room
• Utilities, including water, power, and usually internet
• Shared kitchen, laundry, and common areas
• House meetings and basic house management

These are often charged separately:

• A move-in fee, deposit, or first and last week up front
• Drug and alcohol testing
• Food, which many homes leave to residents
• Program services such as case management, life-skills classes, or transportation
• Clinical treatment, such as an intensive outpatient program, which is billed separately

What makes one home cost more than another

• Location. Rent follows the local housing market. The same type of home can cost twice as much in a large coastal city as in a smaller inland one.
• Room type. Shared rooms are the norm and the cheapest option. Private rooms cost more.
• Level of support. A peer-run home costs less than one with paid staff on site, structured programming, or a house manager who lives in.
• Services bundled in. Some homes include meals, transportation, or recovery coaching in the price. Compare what is included, not only the headline number.

How families usually pay

Sober living is housing, so residents usually pay it like rent, often from a job they keep while living there. Families commonly help with the first month or the move-in cost. Some states fund recovery housing assistance or grant-funded beds for people who can't afford rent, usually through the state's substance use services agency. Peer-run homes, such as Oxford Houses, split household costs among residents and are often among the least expensive options.

Health insurance rarely covers the rent itself. Our guide to whether insurance covers sober living explains what it can pay for instead.