Can I Afford Assisted Living?

In 2025, the average cost of Assisted Living in the United States is around $5,200 per month. There is a large range of price points, based on location, amenities and services, so costs can widely vary. Generally, Assisted Living monthly fees are either all-inclusive or based on a level of care.

Many communities have 4-8 levels of care with Level 1 costing the lowest amount and the price increasing with each successive level.

To determine your level of care, a nurse or doctor will perform a medical needs assessment on behalf of the Assisted Living community, and your monthly cost will be calculated based on these results. If you require help eating, bathing, and dressing, you may be at a higher level of care than someone who does not require those things.

Under this pricing model, your total monthly cost will include the base rent plus your level of care. For example, if your base rent is $4,600 per month with a care level of 1 at $500 per month, your total monthly cost would be $5,100.

Differing from level of care pricing, some Assisted Living communities are all-inclusive. As compared to the example above, you may pay $6,000 per month for the duration of your time there, without worrying about your monthly costs increasing if your need for care becomes greater.

Many people assume the cost of Assisted Living is too expensive for them, but there are numerous ways every-day people afford this lifestyle. Once you calculate your monthly expenses, you may realize you would no longer have to pay for many of them in Assisted Living. Some examples of costs that may disappear once you make this change include:

·       Mortgage or rent

·       Home insurance

·       Vehicle payment, insurance, fuel and maintenance

·       Utilities

·       Television & Wi-Fi

·       Food (when living in an all-inclusive community or one with a meal plan)

·       Home & yard maintenance, such as landscaping & snow removal

·       Unexpected expenses

While everyone’s financial situation varies, you may find paying for Assisted Living actually provides more financial stability than you thought.

There are also many ways to finance Assisted Living. If you are interested in discussing your options, contact us today!