An honest comparison to help you choose.
The short answer
A stair lift is the cheapest way up the stairs, about $4,000 on average, but carries only a seated rider. A home elevator costs $35,000 to $60,000 and carries a wheelchair, a walker or a carer too. Shaftless through-floor lifts sit between them. Moving the bedroom downstairs costs no lift at all, if the ground floor has a bathroom.
Last updated
| Option | Typical cost | Carries a wheelchair? | Building work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stair lift, straight | $2,000 to $8,000 | No | Rail fixed to the stairs |
| Stair lift, curved | $8,000 to $20,000 | No | Made-to-measure rail |
| Inclined platform lift | $5,000 to $20,000 | Yes | Rail and folding platform |
| Shaftless through-floor lift | From about $12,000 | Some models | Floor opening |
| Home elevator | $35,000 to $60,000 | Yes | Shaft or tube |
Sources: Fixr, Stairlift Installation Cost (national cost guide, updated 31 Jan 2025); Fixr, Home Elevator Cost (national cost guide, updated 31 Jan 2025). Last updated October 28, 2026.
Who is a stair lift best for?
Someone who can walk short distances, sit down and stand up safely, and whose main problem is the stairs. It is quick: Fixr says a straight lift takes about four to five hours to fit.[1]
Who is a home elevator best for?
Wheelchair users, people who use a walker on both floors, homes with three or more floors, and anyone who wants a long-term solution for two people. Fixr notes the cost rises by about $10,000 for each extra storey.[2]
What can seniors do instead of a stair lift?
- Live on one floor. Move the bedroom downstairs if there is a bathroom, or add one.
- A through-floor lift for two floors, with less building work than an elevator.
- A second handrail on the stairs; Fixr puts handrails at $800 to $1,200 as part of an aging in place project.
- Move house to a single-storey home or a building with an elevator, if the home no longer fits.
Sources: [3]
Is moving a better choice?
Sometimes. Moving can make sense when the home has several problems at once: steps at every entrance, narrow doorways and no ground floor bathroom. It also means leaving neighbours, routines and a familiar home. Put the person who lives there at the centre of the decision.
What this means for you
If the stairs are the only problem, price a stair lift first. If a wheelchair is in the picture now or soon, compare an elevator or through-floor lift. Read does my home fit? before you get quotes.
Frequently asked questions
Is a stair lift or an elevator better for a parent with arthritis?
It depends on how they move. A stair lift needs safe sitting and standing at each end; an elevator lets them walk in and out. Ask their doctor or occupational therapist, then try both if you can.
Is a home elevator worth the cost?
If it lets someone stay in their home for years, many families think so. It also carries wheelchairs, laundry and visitors, which a stair lift cannot.
What are the disadvantages of stair lifts?
They carry one seated rider, the rail takes some stair width, and the rider must transfer at each end. They do not carry a wheelchair.
Sources
- Stairlift Installation Cost (national cost guide, updated 31 Jan 2025), Fixr. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Home Elevator Cost (national cost guide, updated 31 Jan 2025), Fixr. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Cost of Aging in Place (national cost guide, updated 17 Aug 2022), Fixr. Accessed October 28, 2026.
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