ASSISTED LIVING COSTS
AVERAGE $2,968 PER MONTH IN U.S.
The average cost of an assisted living facility in the U.S. is $2,968 per month, or $35,616 per year, according to the Assisted Living Market Survey 2006. The study produced by MetLife, found that the highest monthly average was Bridgewater, New Jersey at $5,197 while the lowest was North Dakota at $1,742.
Assisted living facilities provide a way for older adults to retain a relatively independent lifestyle in a residential atmosphere with some assistance and support. While the types and sizes of facilities vary, all provide meals in a social setting and are staffed with people who can provide different levels of help with Activities of Daily Living (ADL's) like bathing and dressing. They can range from a small home to a large apartment-style complex.
As the population grows older and medical advances continue, assisted living facilities will become more and more desirable and necessary for older Americans. While many people will have reason to leave their homes, they will not necessarily need the level of care provided by nursing homes, which cost an average of $61,000 per year. Assisted living can bridge those in-between years or simply provide another option for those who require some help with their day-to-day activities. Since most long term care insurance policies cover assisted living facilities, this is another reason for people to explore the need for assisted living.
Here is a breakdown of costs for various regions in the 50 states and the District of Columbia:
|
LOCALITY |
AVERAGE COST* |
LOCALITY |
AVERAGE COST* | |
Statewide Total, AK |
$3,332 |
Jackson, MS |
$2,180 | |
Birmingham, AL |
$2,642 |
Billings, MT |
$2,779 | |
Montgomery, AL |
$2,352 |
Charlotte, NC |
$2,696 | |
Little Rock, AR |
$2,565 |
Raleigh, NC |
$3,252 | |
Phoenix, AZ |
$2,719 |
Statewide Total, ND |
$1,742 | |
Tucson, AZ |
$2,718 |
Omaha, NE |
$2,693 | |
Los Angeles, CA |
$2,426 |
Manchester, NH |
$3,620 | |
San Diego, CA |
$2,066 |
Bridgewater, NJ |
$5,197 | |
San Francisco, CA |
$3,636 |
Cherry Hill, NJ |
$3,563 | |
Colorado Springs, CO |
$2,967 |
Albuquerque, NM |
$2,517 | |
Denver, CO |
$2,814 |
Las Vegas, NV |
$2,622 |
| Hartford, CT |
$3,303 |
New York, NY |
$3,371 |
| Stamford, CT |
$4,802 |
Rochester, NY |
$2,891 |
| Washington, DC |
$4,154 |
Syracuse, NY |
$2,559 |
| Wilmington, DE |
$4,043 |
Columbus, OH |
$3,536 |
| Jacksonville, FL |
$2,567 |
Cleveland, OH |
$2,697 |
| Miami, FL |
$3,060 |
Cincinnati, OH |
$2,879 |
| Orlando, FL |
$2,379 |
Oklahoma City, OK |
$2,412 |
| Alpharetta, GA |
$2,826 |
Tulsa, OK |
$2,538 |
| Atlanta, GA |
$2,985 |
Eugene, OR |
$2,991 |
| Statewide Total, HI |
$3,406 |
Portland, OR |
$2,596 |
| Des Moines, IA |
$2,597 |
Philadelphia, PA |
$3,211 |
| Boise, ID |
$2,807 |
Pittsburgh, PA |
$2,582 |
| Chicago, IL |
$3,1272 |
Scranton, PA |
$2,177 |
| Peoria, IL |
$2,555 |
Providence, RI |
$3,143 |
| Des Plaines, IL |
$4,479 |
Charleston, SC |
$2,758 |
| Fort Wayne, IN |
$2,395 |
Columbia, SC |
$2,423 |
| Indianapolis, IN |
$2,305 |
Rapid City, SD |
$1,966 |
| Wichita, KS |
$2,347 |
Memphis, TN |
$2,166 |
| Lexington, KY |
$2,793 |
Nashville, TN |
$3,264 |
| Louisville, KY |
$2,808 |
Dallas, TX |
$2,569 |
| Baton Rouge, LA |
$2,480 |
Fort Worth, TX |
$2,569 |
| Shreveport, LA |
$2,033 |
Houston, TX |
$2,995 |
| Boston, MA |
$4,180 |
Salt Lake City, UT |
$2,356 |
| Worcester, MA |
$3,860 |
Northern Virginia, VA |
$4,118 |
| Baltimore, MD |
$3,380 |
Arlington, VA |
$3,750 |
| Silver Spring, MD |
$4,750 |
Richmond, VA |
$2,733 |
| Statewide Total, ME |
$4,040 |
Statewide Total, VT |
$3,994 |
| Detroit, MI |
$3,029 |
Seattle, WA |
$2,589 |
| Grand Rapids, MI |
$2,397 |
Spokane, WA |
$2,708 |
| Minneapolis, MN |
$2,754 |
Madison, WI |
$3,116 |
| Saint Paul, MN |
$2,754 |
Milwaukie, WI |
$2,983 |
| Kansas City, MO |
$2,577 |
Statewide Total, WV |
$2,916 |
| Saint Louis, MO |
$3,405 |
Statewide Total, WY |
$2,424 | |
|
*There may be extra charges for ADL assistance beyond the base cost, or for Alzheimer's disease or related conditions.
According to a 2006 National Center for Assisted Living survey, approximately two-thirds of assisted living residents paid for their stay out-of-pocket and about 13.5% paid with Supplementary Security Income (SSI) funds. Medicare does not cover assisted living.
The Assisted Living Market Survey 2006 was conducted by telephone. The states were divided into three groups according to population: under three million, three million to six million and more than 10 million. In the least populated states, one area was surveyed. In the mid-range, two were surveyed and in the most populous states, three were surveyed. Five facilities, or 10% (whatever number was greater), were surveyed in each area selected. All facilities surveyed were state-licensed and free-standing (not part of a larger retirement community or care facility that includes a nursing home or independent living unit).
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