Senior living communities are the best option for the highest quality of life for many seniors and their loved ones. But the big question is: how much does senior living cost? You’re not alone if you’re asking this question. When it comes to senior living, price is on everyone’s minds. Read on to find out how much senior living costs, what’s included in this price, and how you can afford to live the retirement life you deserve.
What are the different types of senior living communities, and their average cost?
There are a few main types of senior living communities, and senior living costs are highly dependent on which type of community you’re considering. The key difference between community types is the level of care offered. Most senior living communities fall into one of these categories:
- 55+ communities. These active adult communities are great for fully independent seniors. They typically offer no medical care or support for activities of daily living. The cost of 55+ communities typically ranges between $1,500 and $4,000 per month depending upon the range of services provided.
- Independent living communities. This type of community is also for fully independent seniors. They usually have more care and support options available, and potentially more services and amenities. The median cost of independent living communities is around $3,145 per month.
- Assisted living communities. These communities are for seniors who need help with activities of daily living (ADLs), like bathing, dressing and grooming, mobility, eating, and medication management. Caregivers, nurses, and support staff provide daily assistance. Meals, housekeeping, social activities, outings, and other amenities are usually also included. The median cost of assisted living in the United States is $5,190 per month.
- Memory care. This is a type of assisted living especially for people with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and memory loss. That usually means more security and supervision, as well as special activities and therapies. The 2025 median cost of memory care in the United States is $6,450 per month.
- Skilled nursing. This type of care is for seniors with advanced medical needs, like those with serious chronic illnesses or who require IV therapies, wound care, and rehab. Skilled nursing communities have medical care provided by nurses in a home-like setting. The median cost for skilled nursing in the United States is around $9,000-10,000 per month. However, since skilled nursing care is almost always covered by Medicaid.
What factors influence senior living costs?
The biggest factors that influence senior living costs are location and level of care. Senior living is, after all, housing. So, as with any type of living space, the more expensive real estate is in a specific area, the more expensive senior living prices will be. Level of care will also drastically affect senior living costs. Higher acuity care means more trained staff members, more medical care, and higher associated costs.
The services and amenities provided will also affect senior living costs. For example, a community that provides three meals a day, housekeeping and laundry services, lots of social activities, personal transportation, a gym and workout classes, and other services will have a higher monthly price than a community that only offers rent at an apartment.
However, while these types of services and amenities will raise monthly fees, they also mean you won’t be paying a lot of the bills you would have otherwise. Once you calculate the money you would typically spend on groceries and eating out, entertainment, car payments and maintenance, home and car insurance, gym memberships, and lawn and housekeeping services, senior living costs even at a high-end community may be surprisingly comparable.
What do 55+ communities usually cost?
As the lowest level of care, 55+ communities are the least expensive option. As of December 2025, the average price of a 55+ community is between $1,500 and $4,000 per month (according to AssistedLiving.org). This wide range is due to the broad range of services provided, as well as cost of living differences depending on location.
What’s included in the cost of a 55+ community?
The term “55+ community” is broadly used to describe lots of different communities. A 55+ community can be a neighborhood of privately-owned single-family homes or cottages, an apartment building, or a condominium complex. Typically, senior living costs for these communities don’t include any services (like housekeeping, meals, or transportation). They may include possible amenities like a pool or gym, and potentially social events. Utilities and maintenance costs are also sometimes included.
At Stellar Living, a 55+ community is a type of independent living community that focuses on social, active seniors. Stellar 55+ communities typically have an all-inclusive monthly fee. This often includes chef-prepared meals in a restaurant-style fine dining room, tons of social events and activities, and resort-style amenities. Housekeeping and maintenance are usually also included, as well as possibly laundry and linen services.
Typically, medical care or personal care services are not included or available at 55+ communities.
Seniors who don’t need any daily help still benefit from the activities and amenities of independent living communities.
How much do independent living communities cost?
Independent living communities are similar to 55+ communities, but usually offer more services and amenities, and more care options. According to A Place for Mom, the median cost of independent living communities in 2025 is $3,145 per month. State median costs range from $2,319 per month in Wisconsin to $4,795 per month in Hawaii.
What’s included in the price of an independent living community?
Most (but not all) independent living community monthly prices include:
- Housing/rent,
- Meals,
- Utilities,
- Maintenance of apartments, community buildings, and grounds/outdoor areas,
- Security, like personnel, cameras, and gates,
- Light housekeeping, usually weekly,
- Amenities, like an in-house gym and barbershop/salon,
- Parking,
- Activities and outings, and
- Services, like private transportation.
Not all senior living communities are created equal. Stellar Living communities include all of this (and often more) in a luxury, resort-style setting. Independent living communities usually include either laundry services, free laundry rooms available for residents, or in-unit washers and dryers.
Some independent living communities offer personal care services for an additional cost. However, medical care is typically not available at communities that only offer independent living.
Assisted living communities provide a higher quality of life for seniors who need a little help.
How much does assisted living cost?
Assisted living communities provide personal care services and help with activities of daily living. According to A Place for Mom, the median cost of assisted living in the United States is $5,190 per month. State median costs range from $3,998 in Mississippi to $7,795 in Vermont.
This median price is based on the total actual cost residents paid each month. Pricing structures for assisted living communities vary. Some communities charge a flat-rate monthly fee. Most have different rates for different levels or tiers of care. Some have an “a la carte” approach where each service is billed separately.
What’s included in the price of an assisted living community?
Assisted living community prices usually include everything offered in independent living communities, plus additional care and services. This may include:
- Housing/rent,
- Three meals a day, plus snacks and beverages,
- Utilities,
- Maintenance of apartments, community buildings, and grounds/outdoor areas,
- Security, like personnel, cameras, and gates,
- Housekeeping,
- Laundry and linen services,
- Amenities, like an in-house gym and barbershop/salon,
- Parking,
- Activities and outings,
- Transportation to medical appointments,
- Care coordination,
- Medication assistance,
- Physical or occupational therapy, and
- Help with activities of daily living, like eating, mobility, bathing and dressing.
These services may be billed separately. Stellar Living Assisted Living Communities offer these services in a luxury, resort-style environment. Transparent line-item pricing is available by contacting any Stellar community.
Since dementia is progressive, seniors with Alzheimer’s will eventually need memory care.
How much does memory care senior living cost?
Memory care is a necessity for seniors in the later stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia. The 2025 median cost of memory care in the United States is $6,450 per month. This ranges from a state median cost of $4,025 in Wyoming to $11,000 in Hawaii. Medicaid can pay for some or all memory care costs when it is considered medically necessary.
Memory care communities usually include all services in one flat-rate monthly fee. However, some may offer costs for services in a tiered structure, or with add-on fees for specific services.
What’s included in the price of a memory care community?
Typically, memory care communities offer everything that an assisted living community offers, including rent, utilities, meals, amenities, medication management, transportation, and personal care services. In addition, memory care community costs include:
- 24-hour supervision and care,
- Additional safety and security to prevent residents from wandering. This may include locked, staffed entrances and exits, extra security personnel, and video surveillance,
- Specialized social programs and activities for residents with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, and
- Dementia-specific therapies.
Memory care communities cost more because the residents require more care. Staff members also need more specialized training, and typically the overall staff-to-resident ratio is lower, ensuring personalized care. Stellar Memory Care communities also use the Apollo program to provide positive, hopeful, and engaging care.
Skilled nursing care allows medical care and rehabilitation to be provided in a home-like setting.
How much does skilled nursing & rehab care cost?
Skilled nursing care is necessary for seniors with significant medical needs. It is the most care you can receive outside of a hospital, and requires skilled medical professionals to administer care around the clock. The 2025 median cost for skilled nursing in the United States is $10,646 for a private room and around $9,277 for a semi-private room. However, since skilled nursing care is typically a medical necessity, it’s almost always covered by Medicaid.
What’s included in the price of a skilled nursing community?
Skilled nursing communities function differently from other types of senior living, due to the high care needs of the residents. Most monthly community costs include:
- Housing/rent of a private or semiprivate room
- Meals
- Rehabilitative therapies and treatments
- Full-time medical care by qualified staff, and 24/7 care by nursing staff
- Security and safety features, usually including an emergency pendant and supervision
Stellar Skilled Nursing communities also ensure that residents also get as much social connection and engagement as possible.
While senior living can appear expensive, many seniors find it fits well in their budgets with a variety of payment options.
How can I pay for senior living costs?
While you do get excellent value for your money, senior living is not inexpensive, especially if you or your loved one requires care. Thankfully, you do have a variety of payment options for senior living costs.
Independent living and 55+ communities usually require private pay. Most residents pay for senior living with retirement income, social security income, savings, and/or profits from the sale of assets like their home or vehicles. Medicare, Medicaid, veteran’s benefits, and long-term care insurance usually don’t cover independent living or 55+ communities. However, since monthly independent living fees are all-inclusive (meals, transportation, entertainment, maintenance, gym, salon, etc), they may be comparable to what you’re already spending.
You have these same payment options for assisted living communities. However, some residents of assisted living communities do qualify for financial assistance from Medicaid. Many states offer Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid waivers or 1915(c) Medicaid waivers. These can be used to pay for the care services at an assisted living community, though not room and board costs. Long-term care insurance and Veteran’s benefits can also pay for assisted living.
Like assisted living, Medicaid will usually help pay for necessary, dementia-specific care given at Memory Care communities. This may be through your usual Medicaid healthcare, or via Medicaid waivers. Long-term care insurance and VA benefits will usually also pay for memory care.
How can I pay for skilled nursing & rehab care?
Skilled nursing care is by far the most expensive of the senior living costs, but thankfully, it is almost always covered by Medicaid. Medicare also covers short-term skilled nursing care. Long-term care insurance, private pay, and VA benefits are other ways to pay for skilled nursing care.
Final Thoughts on Senior Living Costs
As you can see, senior living costs vary widely depending on location and the level of care and services offered. Many seniors find that senior living fits well in their budget. Moving to a less expensive area is a good way to get the benefits of senior living with a lower price tag. While you might experience a little “sticker shock” when you see these monthly senior living costs, it’s important to remember everything included in that cost. Great senior living communities also provide a higher quality of life for retirees. Can you really put a price on a better life?
For exact senior living costs in your location, call for transparent, line-item pricing at a Stellar community near you today.
