According to the Department of Health and Human Services, there are more than 15,000 Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing homes in the United States, serving roughly 1.2 million residents. With so many options available, narrowing the field can feel daunting.
To help guide that process, Newsweek and global data intelligence firm Statista are proud to present the America’s Best Nursing Homes 2026 ranking.
This year’s list recognizes the top 1,200 nursing homes across the United States. Facilities were evaluated on four pillars including performance data, peer recommendations, accreditations and resident satisfaction, with performance data carrying an increased weight in 2026 to reflect the growing emphasis on clinical quality metrics.
Other updates this year include the addition of vaccination rates as new quality measures, the expansion of the ranking to cover 33 states across three size categories and an increase in the total number of facilities recognized.
The result is a state-by-state list of nursing homes that stood out for their commitment to safety, quality of care and resident well-being.
