Independent Living Community Costs: Facts & Figures
If you or your parents are ready to escape the responsibilities of home ownership and daily chores, then perhaps it’s time to consider joining an independent living community. These communities provide maintenance, dining services and transportation often at a monthly cost that is less than what is required to maintain a house.
The cost of joining an independent living community varies upon several factors which typically include:
- Geographic location of the community
- Apartment floor plan
- Amenity and service fees
Independent Living Costs by State
Just as the cost of real estate varies by geographic area, independent living costs also vary nationwide. Unlike assisted living and nursing home costs which are published annually by Genworth Financial, there is very little published cost information available on independent living. To help you budget for joining an independent living community, SeniorHomes.com has compiled pricing* for each state.
| State | Minimum | Median | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,395 | $2,303 | $3,455 |
| Arizona | $1,049 | $2,382 | $4,558 |
| Arkansas | $1,149 | $2,030 | $3,500 |
| California | $1,100 | $2,814 | $6,825 |
| Colorado | $1,145 | $2,286 | $4,060 |
| Connecticut | $1,424 | $3,490 | $5,200 |
| Delaware | $698 | $2,864 | $4,300 |
| Florida | $1,174 | $2,545 | $4,700 |
| Georgia | $1,100 | $2,463 | $3,995 |
| Hawaii | $2,195 | $2,564 | $3,099 |
| Iowa | $924 | $2,247 | $3,770 |
| Idaho | $900 | $1,880 | $2,700 |
| Illinois | $499 | $1,859 | $3,800 |
| Indiana | $899 | $2,135 | $5,400 |
| Kansas | $795 | $2,038 | $3,516 |
| Kentucky | $1,580 | $2,435 | $3,393 |
| Louisiana | $1,024 | $1,804 | $2,249 |
| Maine | $1,974 | $2,587 | $3,224 |
| Maryland | $1,334 | $3,238 | $5,200 |
| Massachusetts | $1,649 | $4,002 | $6,375 |
| Michigan | $637 | $2,190 | $3,844 |
| Minnesota | $899 | $1,679 | $3,050 |
| Mississippi | $1,725 | $1,920 | $2,074 |
| Missouri | $899 | $2,087 | $2,975 |
| Montana | $1,199 | $2,002 | $3,250 |
| Nebraska | $1,174 | $2,281 | $2,950 |
| Nevada | $1,449 | $2,295 | $3,795 |
| New Hampshire | $2,599 | $3,537 | $5,700 |
| New Jersey | $2,000 | $3,371 | $5,355 |
| New Mexico | $1,249 | $2,325 | $4,768 |
| New York | $956 | $3,895 | $6,605 |
| North Carolina | $1,424 | $2,267 | $4,015 |
| North Dakota | $3,250 | $3,250 | $3,250 |
| Ohio | $937 | $2,450 | $4,200 |
| Oklahoma | $1,149 | $1,865 | $2,580 |
| Oregon | $1,049 | $2,042 | $3,555 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,590 | $2,690 | $5,249 |
| Rhode Island | $2,500 | $3,383 | $4,295 |
| South Carolina | $1,124 | $2,180 | $3,380 |
| South Dakota | $1,399 | $1,399 | $1,399 |
| Tennessee | $999 | $1,972 | $3,090 |
| Texas | $700 | $2,225 | $4,745 |
| Utah | $969 | $1,806 | $2,526 |
| Vermont | $2,400 | $2,715 | $2,995 |
| Virginia | $795 | $2,181 | $3,800 |
| Washington | $827 | $2,288 | $3,500 |
| West Virginia | $2,050 | $2,050 | $2,050 |
| Wisconsin | $928 | $2,034 | $3,775 |
| Wyoming | $1,349 | $2,072 | $2,795 |
The states with the most expensive average monthly independent living costs are:
Massachusetts
$4,002
New York
$3,895
New Hampshire
$3,537
Connecticut
$3,490
Rhode Island
$3,383
The states with the least expensive average monthly independent living costs are:
South Dakota
$1,399
Minnesota
$1,679
Louisiana
$1,804
Utah
$1,806
Illinois
$1,859
Apartment Options
When joining an independent living community, new residents can typically choose from several floor plans, including studio, one-, two- and even three-bedroom apartments. The size of an apartment and its features, such as a kitchen or private patio or balcony, determines its base monthly rate, as does the location of the apartment with regard to views and proximity to elevators and public areas.
Typically communities offer either a month-to-month leases or one-year leases that may be renewed.
Amenity and Service Fees
The monthly rent frequently includes a number of services such as:
- All utilities except local telephone service and expanded cable
- One to three chef-prepared meals per day served in a restaurant-style dining room
- Weekly housekeeping, including laundering of bed linens/towels
- Incidental maintenance needs (filter changes, appliance repairs, etc.)
- Full calendar of activities with scheduled transportation for shopping, medical appointments, off-site activities
- Emergency systems and security features
Additional costs typically include a non-refundable entrance or community fee, which ranges from $750 to $1,500 on average, and covers administrative and apartment renovation expenses. A second-person fee, typically between $500 and $1,000 per month, will also be assessed for couples. Fees are also charged for:
- Guest meals
- Use of a guest apartment
- Activities requiring tickets or other expenses
- Concierge services
- Unscheduled transportation
When evaluating the financial implications of moving from a single-family home to an independent senior living community, it’s helpful to compare the costs associated with each. And don’t underestimate the expense of dining out or purchasing discretionary items, as our blogger Joan discovered in her recent post Small Expenses Impact Senior Lifestyles.
There is an example of some household costs:
- Mortgage/rent
- Utilities (water, sewer, garbage, etc.)
- Food/dining out
- Entertainment
- Basic cable/Internet
- Auto expenses (scheduled transportation included in independent living)
- Home maintenance
- Yard maintenance
- Security/safety features
- Property taxes (not applicable to independent living)
If you need help searching for a community to fit within your budget, our Family Advisors can help you search the communities in your area.
Written by gerontologist Sara Shelton and Andrea Watts.
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