This article was updated in November 2025.
For most older adults and their family members, the conversation about assisted living begins with wondering (and perhaps even Googling) the cost. You’re not alone if you’ve wondered about whether assisted living is possible to afford, or worried about surprise or hidden fees that pop up down the road.
Understanding what is (and isn’t) included in the average cost of assisted living will help you make more informed short and long-term decisions for your loved one. Our senior living financial team has been answering the biggest burning questions of families for over 30 years, and we’re happy to share the most up-to-date information with you. Let’s dive right in.
What the Data Says about the Cost of Assisted Living
- According to Genworth and CareScout’s Cost of Care Survey for 2024, the annual national median cost for an assisted living community (“assisted living”) was $70,800 — an increase of approximately 10% year-over-year.
- In terms of monthly cost, some sources in early 2025 estimate the median cost is around $6,000 to $6,129 per month (which corresponds to about $73,000+ per year).
- Costs vary significantly by region. For example, some states report much higher or lower costs based on local economy, amenities, regulatory environment, and level of care. For a full list of assisted living communities near you, check out this local community finder.
What this Means for Those who Aren’t Sure They Can Afford Assisted Living
In short, the average cost of an assisted living community has climbed meaningfully in recent years. If you budget for around $5,500–$6,500 per month today for the kind of full-service assisted living community with amenities and care, you’ll be roughly in line with national medians, but not everyone falls into that category. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to offset costs, and a professional senior living team is always available to help you explore your options.
Explore ways to offset cost
- Sell your existing home (or use the equity) to help fund monthly fees or a move-in deposit.
- Check eligibility for veteran’s benefits (such as Aid & Attendance) if applicable.
- Review long-term care insurance and what benefits it provides.
- Ask communities about incentives or reduced fees (sometimes “first-months at a discount” or promotional offers).
- Explore state or local programs or Medicaid waivers if applicable, though keep in mind Medicare generally does not cover ongoing assisted living.
Why it can vary
The cost you’ll pay depends on multiple factors, including:
Location: Urban areas or high cost-of-living states tend to be more expensive; rural areas tend to cost less.
Level of care required: If the resident requires more support (assistance with activities of daily living, higher staffing levels, memory care wrap-around services), cost will increase.
Amenities: Size of residence (studio vs one-bedroom vs two-bed), quality of dining, wellness programs, special events, housekeeping, transportation, etc.
Contract structure: Some communities charge an all-inclusive monthly fee; others use base rate + add-ons for extra care or services.
What’s Included in Assisted Living Costs
It’s helpful to understand what you’re paying for when you move into an assisted living community, and importantly, what may not be included.
In many award-winning assisted living communities, monthly fee will cover:
- Private or semi-private residence (depending on the unit) including utilities, housekeeping, maintenance, and grounds upkeep.
- Three chef-curated meals per day with dining-room service, menus, and dietary accommodations.
- Social, educational, recreational and wellness programming, such as classes, outings, fitness, group activities.
- Transportation for some scheduled trips or campus shuttles.
- 24-hour supervision or on-site staff and assistance with some activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and medication administration.
- Social engagement, community environment and peer connections, which have intangible quality-of-life benefits.
What isn’t Included or May Trigger Extra Fees
- Specialized memory-care wings or locked-unit dementia care may carry premium costs above the base assisted-living rate.
- Additional care beyond the included level (for example, if a senior needs more frequent assistance with ADLs or skilled nursing oversight).
- Additional services such as physical therapy, visits by outside providers, premium transportation, excursions, salon/spa services.
- Some communities may charge move-in or entrance fees, or require deposits or community fees.
- Some incontinence supplies, specialty diets, or medications may be extra.
- Home-care or private aides hired by the resident may be billed separately.
What About Staying at Home vs. Opting For Assisted Living?
Moving into a premium assisted living community can free you and your loved one from the burdens of home ownership, reduce or eliminate paying for utilities, food preparation and many of the “hidden” costs of aging-in-place at home. Also, the social, wellness and medical-support benefits frequently add value that’s hard to replicate in a private home. When you factor in everything, the monthly cost of assisted living becomes more understandable.
How to Plan Senior Living for Your Budget
Here are some practical steps and things to consider when planning for the cost of assisted living:
Assess Your Needs Today and Potential Future Needs
Review what level of assistance is required now, which, such as help with bathing, dressing, medication. Ask whether the community includes a higher level of care if needed in future, or whether you would need to transition to another level and what that cost would be.
Understand What the Community’s Fee Includes and What Triggers Extra Fees
Ask for a detailed fee schedule and what happens if care needs increase. What are the costs for upgrades, for increased staffing/support, for memory care? Are there entrance fees, one-time fees, or monthly escalators?
Compare Staying at Home vs Moving In
Include home-ownership costs like mortgage or rent, taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, meals, home-care support versus community living. Often, the community model may offer savings when all costs are considered, but this depends heavily on the home you currently own and the support you’re receiving.
Plan for Inflation and Cost Increases
As noted above, the 2024 data showed about a 10% increase in the median year-over-year for assisted living. So it’s prudent to assume that monthly fees may continue to rise due to labor costs, regulatory burdens, inflation. Don’t lock in a budget that assumes “same cost forever.”
Create a Moving-In Timeline and Budget “What-If” Scenarios
When to move in? If move-in is imminent it may be beneficial to move sooner rather than waiting until needs escalate, which may close more options or raise costs. Create scenarios: “What if needs increase in 2-3 years?” “What if a spouse passes away?” “What if we need memory care?” Budget for those possibilities.
Find Premium Assisted Living and Transparent Pricing at The Arbor Company
At The Arbor Company, we understand that the decision to transition to assisted living is one of the most important financial and life-quality decisions you or your loved one will make. That’s why our Senior Living Care Team is always available to answer questions, guide you through the budgeting and decision-making process, and help you make sense of the numbers, so you’re confident in your choice.
A consultative, caring approach: We take the time to understand your budget, care-needs, preferences, and timeline, and then work with you to find the right community within the Arbor family that aligns.
Transparent pricing & detailed breakdowns: We’ll walk you through the community’s monthly fee and what it includes, what extra fees may apply, and what your likely future cost trajectory may be, so you’re never surprised later.
Planning for escalation: We can help you understand what happens if care needs increase, or if a move to memory care becomes necessary and what the financial implications would be.
Coordination with your advisors: We are happy to collaborate with your financial advisor, elder-law attorney, or insurance professional to incorporate senior living into your overall retirement plan.
Support during the transition: Moving into assisted living is a major life change. Our team helps coordinate the move, communicates with families, handles orientation to the community, and stays engaged after you’re settled.
Always-available help: Have questions about the contract, about what services are included, or want to revisit the financial plan as you progress? Our team is just a phone call or office visit away.
Remember, you are never in this alone. Even when you’re simply exploring and “just seeing what options are out there,” our assisted living care team at The Arbor Company is ready to answer your questions — no obligation, no pressure — just unlimited resources and support so you can make the best decision for the whole family.
For more information and help understanding the costs of assisted living, as well as to receive a personalized estimate, utilize this helpful cost calculator tool and visit one of our award-winning communities near you.
