Does owning a home in another state matter?

Does owning a home in another state matter?

Short answer: Yes. A home in another state is usually exempt only if it is the person’s principal residence and they intend to return, or a spouse or dependent relative lives there. Otherwise it is generally countable.

Figures change periodically. Double-check current amounts before relying on them.

Medicaid exempts the home, meaning the principal place of residence. Location does not matter, but residence does.

  • If the person moved to a new state to be near family and does not intend to return to the old home, it is generally no longer their home and becomes a countable asset (subject to rules for property listed for sale, where the state has them).
  • If the person intends to return to the out-of-state home, many states still treat it as exempt. But stating intent to return to another state can raise questions about which state the person is a resident of.
  • If a spouse or dependent relative lives in it, it is generally exempt.
  • A vacation home or second home is generally countable.

Estate recovery can also involve two states, if the person received benefits in both.

Getting help

Every situation is different, and small facts can change the answer. If this question affects a real decision, especially with a spouse at home, a home, gifts or a trust, a Certified Medicaid Planner can apply your state’s rules to your situation. As a rough guide, published fees for help with an application range from about $500 to $6,000, and hourly help from about $150 to $600.

Last updated for 2026. General information only, not legal or financial advice. Medicaid Answers is a free educational resource published by Medicaid Answers Foundation.

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