Cost of Assisted Living Near Me: 2026 Prices, State-by-State Costs & How to Pay
If you are searching for “cost of assisted living near me,” one of your first questions is probably: How much will assisted living actually cost?
The answer depends on where you live, the type of apartment you choose, and how much help you or your loved one needs.
According to the latest CareScout Cost of Care Survey, the national median cost of assisted living is $6,200 per month, or $74,400 per year. In California, the median is approximately $7,000 per month, or $84,000 per year.
But those averages tell only part of the story. Assisted living costs vary dramatically from state to state—and even from one community to another in the same city.
This guide explains:
- Average assisted living costs by state
- Assisted living costs in California
- Assisted living costs in Los Angeles and Orange County
- 10 assisted living communities in Southern California and their approximate prices
- What is usually included in assisted living
- How to pay for assisted living and long-term care
- Medicare, Medi-Cal/Medicaid and VA benefits
- Questions to ask before choosing an assisted living community
What Is the Average Cost of Assisted Living Near Me?
The 2025 national median assisted living cost is $6,200 per month, according to CareScout’s Cost of Care Survey. That equals approximately $74,400 per year.
The national median increased 5% from $5,900 per month in 2024.
However, location makes an enormous difference. California’s median is approximately $7,000 per month, while assisted living in Hawaii exceeds $12,000 per month. Several lower-cost states have median prices below $5,000 per month.
Your actual cost may also depend on:
- Studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom accommodations
- Private versus shared rooms
- Assistance with bathing and dressing
- Medication management
- Mobility and transfer assistance
- Incontinence care
- Memory care
- Transportation
- Additional meals or services
- Community or move-in fees
For this reason, when comparing assisted living facilities near you, always ask for the total estimated monthly cost, not just the advertised base rent.
Assisted Living Cost by State
The following table shows median monthly assisted living costs for a private one-bedroom residence based on CareScout’s 2025 Cost of Care Survey.
| State | Monthly Cost | State | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $4,425 | Montana | $6,075 |
| Alaska | $9,882 | Nebraska | $6,350 |
| Arizona | $6,250 | Nevada | $6,241 |
| Arkansas | $4,637 | New Hampshire | $8,025 |
| California | $7,000 | New Jersey | $8,710 |
| Colorado | $6,584 | New Mexico | $5,950 |
| Connecticut | $9,118 | New York | $7,110 |
| Delaware | $7,600 | North Carolina | $6,496 |
| Florida | $5,610 | North Dakota | $4,729 |
| Georgia | $5,300 | Ohio | $6,102 |
| Hawaii | $12,096 | Oklahoma | $6,150 |
| Idaho | $5,175 | Oregon | $6,874 |
| Illinois | $6,219 | Pennsylvania | $6,480 |
| Indiana | $5,639 | Rhode Island | $7,780 |
| Iowa | $5,380 | South Carolina | $5,350 |
| Kansas | $5,975 | South Dakota | $4,900 |
| Kentucky | $5,528 | Tennessee | $5,845 |
| Louisiana | $5,162 | Texas | $5,666 |
| Maine | $8,205 | Utah | $5,475 |
| Maryland | $7,172 | Vermont | $8,597 |
| Massachusetts | $9,600 | Virginia | $6,945 |
| Michigan | $5,818 | Washington | $7,600 |
| Minnesota | $6,572 | West Virginia | $6,340 |
| Mississippi | $4,369 | Wisconsin | $6,540 |
| Missouri | $5,400 | Wyoming | $5,325 |
These figures show why searching for “assisted living cost near me” is more useful than relying only on a national average.
How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in California?
The median cost of assisted living in California is approximately $7,000 per month or $84,000 per year.
That makes California more expensive than the national median of $6,200 per month.
Costs within California vary substantially. Communities in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, Silicon Valley and other high-cost areas may charge considerably more than the statewide median.
Luxury senior living and memory care can easily exceed the average.
Assisted Living Cost in Los Angeles
Families searching for “assisted living Los Angeles cost” should expect a broad range of prices.
Recent marketplace estimates put average assisted living costs in Los Angeles County at approximately $6,659 per month, although individual communities can be significantly less or more expensive.
Some smaller residential care homes may begin around $4,000–$5,000 per month, while luxury senior living communities in areas such as Westwood can exceed $10,000 per month.
The resident’s level of care is particularly important. A community advertising a $5,000 base price could ultimately cost $6,500, $7,500 or more after care charges are added.
Assisted Living Cost in Orange County
Orange County also offers everything from small residential care homes to upscale retirement communities.
Recent marketplace data estimates an average of approximately $5,926 per month for assisted living in Orange County.
Location can affect the price considerably. Assisted living in Anaheim, Orange or Fullerton may be priced differently from communities in coastal cities such as Newport Beach.
Families should compare both the monthly rent and the cost of additional care.
*
*Prices are estimates and readers should contact each community for current rates.
10 Assisted Living Communities in Los Angeles and Orange County
The following examples illustrate the range of assisted living prices in Los Angeles and Orange County.
1. Sakura Gardens of Los Angeles — Los Angeles
Assisted living has recently been listed from approximately $3,420–$3,995 per month, depending on apartment type and pricing source.
2. Belmont Village Senior Living Westwood — Los Angeles
This upscale Westwood community has assisted living studio pricing reported from approximately $11,300 per month.
3. Calligraphy Westwood Village — Los Angeles
Assisted living one-bedroom residences have been advertised from approximately $9,640 per month. Larger apartments and additional personal care can increase the cost.
4. Emerald Court — Anaheim
Assisted living studios have been listed from approximately $4,100 per month, with one-bedroom residences beginning around $4,700.
5. Kirkwood Orange — Orange
Assisted living has recently been listed from approximately $4,850 per month for a studio and approximately $5,000 for a one-bedroom residence.
6. Sunrise of Orange — Orange
Published starting prices have been approximately $5,989 per month, depending on accommodations and individual care requirements.
7. Oakmont of Orange — Orange
Assisted living studios have been listed from approximately $6,395 per month, with one-bedroom and two-bedroom residences costing more.
8. Oakmont of Fullerton — Fullerton
Studio assisted living residences have recently been listed from approximately $6,895 per month, with one-bedroom residences starting higher.
9. Golden Flower Manor — Anaheim
Private-room pricing at this smaller residential assisted living home has been listed at approximately $4,500–$5,000 per month.
10. Living The Dream Care Home — Tustin
Recent estimates range from approximately $3,930 to $6,100 per month, depending on accommodations and level of care.
Important: Assisted living prices change frequently. These figures are for comparison and planning only. Contact each community directly for current pricing, availability, care-level charges and move-in fees.
What Does Assisted Living Usually Include?
Assisted living typically combines housing with personal support.
Depending on the community, the monthly fee may include an apartment or room, meals, housekeeping, activities, security and some transportation.
Personal-care services may include help with:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Grooming
- Toileting
- Mobility
- Medication management
- Getting in and out of bed
- Eating
However, don’t assume all these services are included in the advertised monthly price.
Many communities charge separately according to the resident’s level of care.
How to Pay for Assisted Living and Long-Term Care
With assisted living nationally costing approximately $74,400 per year, planning how to pay for long-term care is extremely important.
1. Social Security, Pensions and Retirement Income
Many older adults use a combination of Social Security, pension income, retirement-account withdrawals, investments and personal savings.
For example, if assisted living costs $7,000 per month and retirement income provides $4,000, the family needs to determine how to fund the remaining $3,000 monthly gap.
2. Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-term care insurance may cover some assisted living expenses when the insured meets the policy’s eligibility requirements.
If you already have a policy, check:
- Daily or monthly benefit
- Maximum lifetime benefit
- Elimination period
- Inflation protection
- Assisted living coverage
- Requirements for activities of daily living
Do not wait until a crisis to locate and review the policy.
3. Medi-Cal and Medicaid
Medicaid is an important source of long-term-care assistance for financially eligible Americans.
In California, Medicaid is called Medi-Cal.
California also has an Assisted Living Waiver program for certain eligible individuals. However, Medi-Cal should not be viewed as simply paying the normal monthly bill at any assisted living community you choose.
Eligibility rules, participating facilities and covered services matter.
4. Veterans Benefits
Some veterans and qualifying surviving spouses may be eligible for benefits that help with long-term-care expenses.
Families should investigate potential VA benefits rather than assuming they do or do not qualify.
5. Selling a Home
For homeowners who are moving permanently into assisted living, selling the family home can provide substantial funds for long-term care.
Suppose a resident needs $7,000 per month for assisted living. Even after accounting for retirement income, home-sale proceeds may help fund the remaining cost for several years.
Because tax, estate and investment issues may be involved, consult qualified financial and legal professionals before making major decisions.
6. Life Insurance and Other Assets
Some life insurance policies contain long-term-care riders or accelerated-benefit provisions.
Depending on the person’s circumstances, investments and other assets can also be incorporated into a long-term-care funding plan.
Does Medicare Pay for Assisted Living?
This is one of the most important questions families ask.
Medicare generally does not pay for long-term custodial assisted living.
Medicare may cover certain medically necessary services under applicable rules, but it does not normally pay the ongoing room, board and personal-care costs associated with living in an assisted living community.
This distinction is important when planning for long-term care.
Is Assisted Living Cheaper Than Home Care?
Sometimes.
CareScout reports a 2025 national median rate of approximately $35 per hour for a non-medical caregiver.
At 44 hours per week, that amounts to approximately $80,080 per year.
By comparison, the national median cost of assisted living is approximately $74,400 per year.
But this is not a simple apples-to-apples comparison. Someone living at home also has housing expenses, utilities, food, property taxes or rent, maintenance and other costs.
For an older adult who needs substantial daily assistance, assisted living can sometimes be financially competitive with hiring extensive home care.
Questions to Ask When Comparing Assisted Living Near You
Before signing a contract, ask the community:
- What is the base monthly rent?
- What services are included?
- How are additional care levels calculated?
- Is medication management extra?
- Is there a move-in or community fee?
- How often do rates increase?
- What happens if the resident needs substantially more care?
- Is memory care available if needed later?
- What services cost extra?
- Can you provide a written estimate of the resident’s total monthly cost?
A low advertised price is not necessarily the least expensive option once additional fees are included.
Frequently Asked Questions About Assisted Living Costs
How much does assisted living cost per month?
The 2025 national median is approximately $6,200 per month, or $74,400 annually.
How much is assisted living in California?
California’s statewide median is approximately $7,000 per month, or $84,000 annually.
How much does assisted living cost in Los Angeles?
Recent marketplace estimates put Los Angeles County assisted living around $6,659 per month on average, although individual communities vary widely.
How much does assisted living cost in Orange County?
Recent estimates put the Orange County average at approximately $5,926 per month, although accommodations, location and care needs can substantially change the final price.
Does Medicare cover assisted living?
Generally, Medicare does not pay for long-term custodial assisted living, including ongoing room and board.
Does Medi-Cal pay for assisted living in California?
Medi-Cal may help eligible individuals obtain certain long-term-care services, including through programs such as California’s Assisted Living Waiver. Eligibility, covered services and participating facilities are subject to program requirements.
Can veterans get help paying for assisted living?
Some eligible veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for VA programs or benefits that can help with long-term-care needs. Eligibility should be verified directly with the VA.
What is the cheapest way to pay for assisted living?
There is no single solution for everyone. Families commonly combine Social Security, pensions, retirement savings, long-term care insurance, government benefits and home equity.
Finding Affordable Assisted Living Near Me
If you are beginning your search, don’t choose the first community that appears when you search “assisted living near me.”
Compare at least several communities and request written estimates based on the resident’s actual care needs.
Look beyond price. Consider:
- Location and proximity to family
- Staff-to-resident interaction
- Cleanliness
- Safety
- Meals
- Activities
- Transportation
- Medical and medication support
- Resident satisfaction
- Future care options
- Total monthly cost
Whenever possible, visit the community in person and talk with residents and family members.
Bottom Line: How Much Should You Budget for Assisted Living?
For 2026 planning purposes, the latest national survey indicates a median assisted living cost of approximately $6,200 per month or $74,400 per year, based on 2025 surveyed rates.
In California, the median is approximately $7,000 per month.
Los Angeles and Orange County offer a particularly broad range of options—from smaller residential care homes costing several thousand dollars per month to luxury senior communities that can exceed $10,000 per month.
The most important number isn’t the advertised starting price. It is the total cost after housing, personal care and additional fees are included.
If you are searching for the cost of assisted living near you, start planning early. Compare communities, understand what each price includes, investigate insurance and government benefits, and determine how retirement income, savings and other assets can work together to pay for long-term care.
With advance planning, families can make the decision based not only on cost, but also on safety, quality of care, independence and quality of life.
Last updated: September 2026. Cost figures are estimates for educational and planning purposes. Assisted living prices, care charges, availability and government-program eligibility can change. Contact individual communities and government programs for current information.