National price ranges
Motion 4-packs $40 to $53; light-sensing (non-motion) 4-packs are about $10.
When it is worth it
- Any night-time trip from bed to bathroom.
- Stairs with a switch at only one end.
- Low vision: rooms need more light and fewer bright-to-dark jumps.
What moves the price
- New wiring versus swapping an existing fixture.
- Ceiling access and number of fixtures.
- Exterior work and weatherproof fittings.
DIY or hire it out
Plug-in motion night lights and brighter bulbs are DIY. Three-way switches, new fixtures and outdoor lights need an electrician.
Tax note. IRS Publication 502 lists this among home changes that usually do not raise a home's value, so the cost can count as a medical expense if you itemize and total medical costs pass 7.5% of adjusted gross income:
Moving or modifying electrical outlets and fixtures.
(IRS Publication 502, 2025)
Where this shows up in the home check
Keepstead suggests this fix when one of these checks fails. Run the home check to see whether it is a priority for your home.
- The entrance and its steps are lit at night, ideally by a light that switches on by itself (entrance and steps)
- There is a light switch at the top and the bottom of the stairs (hallways and stairs)
- Long hallways are lit from either end, or by motion lights (hallways and stairs)
- A light can be switched on from the doorway, before walking into the room (living room)
- Counters and the stove are brightly lit, with no deep shadows (kitchen)
- There is a night light in the bathroom and on the way to it (bathroom)
- The path from bed to bathroom is lit at night (bedroom)
- Light switches are easy to find in the dark and to press (lighting, electrical and alarms)
- Rooms have bright, even light with no dark corners, and burned-out bulbs are replaced quickly (lighting, electrical and alarms)
- The path from the car or garage to the door is lit at night (outdoor and garage)
Frequently asked questions
Where should night lights go?
Along the route from bed to bathroom, in the bathroom, and at the top and bottom of stairs. NIA suggests night lights that turn on automatically in the dark.
What color of light is best at night?
Warm, dim light along the floor is enough to see the path without dazzling eyes that have adjusted to the dark.