Assisted Living in California

Assisted Living in California

Costs and Local Resources

Discover the beautiful Golden State when you look for assisted living in California. The home of the 1849 Gold Rush might just be the perfect place to spend your golden years. As the most populous state in the country and as home to the largest sub-national economy in the world, California can offer you both cozy and petite assisted living communities and the height of luxury, hotel-style assisted living facilities. A hub for the technology and entertainment industries, California also ranges in geology from desert, to temperate rainforest, to Mediterranean-like sea-side climate. There’s something for everyone looking for California assisted living services.

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Cost of assisted living in California vs nearby states

California vs. Arizona, Nevada, and Washington

Cost of assisted living in a selection of California cities

We noticed people seem to be searching for assisted living in these California cities more frequently than others: Fresno, Redding, Roseville, and Sacramento. We've provided their pricing here.

The cost of assisted living in California

Seniorly 2021 data shows that the average cost of assisted living in California is $4,075 per month. The national average monthly cost is $4,057. The average California cost is only slightly less than the national average: keep in mind as you start your senior living search that some areas (particularly those where the cost of living is high) will be more expensive than others. Explore our assisted living listings to start comparing properties, or get in touch with one of our local advisors to get expert advice on what you can afford in the areas in which you’re interested.

Assisted living communities can provide the peace of mind that comes from not worrying about home maintenance, chores, or errands, as well as help with personal care like grooming, eating, and other activities of daily living seniors might have trouble with. However, if your loved one requires nursing care, or has diagnosed Alzheimer's or dementia that has progressed to a certain point, they might need a skilled nursing facility/home health care, or memory care community instead. These types of care providers (and for that matter, in-home care) might cost more in California than assisted living facilities, but the important thing is that your loved one’s needs are cared for in order to provide them with the best quality of life.

If your loved one currently lives in a retirement community, ask whether it is a Continuing Care Retirement Community: these senior living properties are generally designed for residents to age in place. Seniors can get the different levels of care they need, from independent living to memory care, without having to move to a different community all together.

Overall cost of living in California

California has one of the highest costs of living in the country. Behind Hawaii and Washington, DC, California’s cost of living index is 138.5, where the US national average is 104.63. This is largely due to higher housing costs (especially in cities such as San Francisco and LA) and gas prices, the highest in the country.

Financial assistance for assisted living in California

Medicaid options for California seniors

According to benefits.gov, to be eligible for California Medicaid, you must be a resident of the state of California, a U.S. national, citizen, permanent resident, or legal alien, in need of health care/insurance assistance, whose financial situation would be characterized as low income or very low income. You must also be one of the following:

  • Pregnant, or
  • Be responsible for a child 18 years of age or younger, or
  • Blind, or
  • Have a disability or a family member in your household with a disability, or
  • Be 65 years of age or older.

California's Medicaid health care program is called Medi-Cal. It pays for medical care for children and adults with limited income and resources. Medi-Cal is supported by Federal and state taxes and designed to help a wide variety of families and individuals who need assistance. Before 2013 Medi-Cal was known as the California Healthy Families program.

Several Medi-Cal programs can help California seniors get the care options they need, such as the  In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Program, the Assisted Living Waiver Program (ALWP), and the Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) Waiver. Some of these can help keep seniors at home rather than in nursing homes, while others can pay for community fees or help provide respite relief for caregivers. Keep in mind that there is high demand for these care services and some may have wait lists.

Non-Medicaid State assistance programs

There are a few non-Medicaid assistance programs in California, including California Paid Family Leave, which offers up to six weeks paid time off for working professionals, so that they may care for a family member. You may also be able to find programs at the city level, like San Francisco’s Support at Home program. For more ways to find assisted living help, check the “Free assisted living resources in California” section below.

More ways to finance assisted living in California

There are several options available to finance assisted living for yourself or a loved one. Long-term care can be financed several ways:

  • Life insurance - Some life insurance policies have a provision for long-term care benefits.
  • Long-term care insurance - This type of insurance is intended to cover long-term health care needs by covering costs for assisted living or long-term care communities.
  • Pensions, 401K, and IRA - If you have a pension, 401k or an IRA to fall back upon this would be a great benefit in paying for assisted living costs.
  • Real Estate - Having a home is a great source of income. When it is time to move into assisted living the sale proceeds from your home can cover the costs.
  • Veteran’s benefits - While the VA will not directly cover the costs of assisted living, you can obtain help from the VA under the Veterans Aid & Attendance benefits. The Aid & Attendance benefits helps eligible veterans and their surviving spouses to pay for assistance for assistance of daily living (ADLs) activities. Aid & Attendance benefits are often referred to by other names such as “improved pension,” “VA assisted living benefit,” or “veterans elder care benefits.”

Free assisted living resources in California

Caifornia residents can explore state resources that can help answer your questions about eligibility for certain types of benefits and how they might apply to assisted living.

Find your local Area Agency on Aging: There are multiple agencies per state, enter your zip code or city to find the one closest to you.

The California Department of Veterans Affairs may be able to help you determine if your loved one is eligible for VA benefits.

Find California Social Security offices  where you can understand your benefits and get answers to your questions about claims.

Assisted living communities by California city

Acton Assisted LivingEl Sobrante Assisted LivingMidway City Assisted LivingSan Bruno Assisted Living
Adelanto Assisted LivingEld Grove Assisted LivingMill Valley Assisted LivingSan Carlos Assisted Living
Agoura Hills Assisted LivingEldridge Assisted LivingMillbrae Assisted LivingSan Clemente Assisted Living
Alameda Assisted LivingElk Grove Assisted LivingMilpitas Assisted LivingSan Diego Assisted Living
Alamo Assisted LivingElverta Assisted LivingMira Loma Assisted LivingSan Dimas Assisted Living
Albany Assisted LivingEmeryville Assisted LivingMission Hills Assisted LivingSan Fernando Assisted Living
Alhambra Assisted LivingEmpire Assisted LivingMission Viejo Assisted LivingSan Francisco Assisted Living
Aliso Viejo Assisted LivingEncinitas Assisted LivingModesto Assisted LivingSan Gabriel Assisted Living
Alpine Assisted LivingEncino Assisted LivingMonrovia Assisted LivingSan Jacinto Assisted Living
Alta Loma Assisted LivingEscalon Assisted LivingMontara Assisted LivingSan Jose Assisted Living
Altadena Assisted LivingEscondido Assisted LivingMontclair Assisted LivingSan Juan Capistrano Assisted Living
American Canyon Assisted LivingEureka Assisted LivingMontebello Assisted LivingSan Leandro Assisted Living
Anaheim Assisted LivingExeter Assisted LivingMonterey Assisted LivingSan Lorenzo Assisted Living
Anaheim Hills Assisted LivingFair Oaks Assisted LivingMonterey Park Assisted LivingSan Luis Obispo Assisted Living
Anderson Assisted LivingFairfield Assisted LivingMontrose Assisted LivingSan Marcos Assisted Living
Angelus Oaks Assisted LivingFallbrook Assisted LivingMoorpark Assisted LivingSan Martin Assisted Living
Angwin Assisted LivingFillmore Assisted LivingMoraga Assisted LivingSan Mateo Assisted Living
Antelope Assisted LivingFolsom Assisted LivingMoreno Valley Assisted LivingSan Pablo Assisted Living
Antioch Assisted LivingFontana Assisted LivingMorgan Hill Assisted LivingSan Pedro Assisted Living
Apple Valley Assisted LivingForestville Assisted LivingMorro Bay Assisted LivingSan Rafael Assisted Living
Aptos Assisted LivingFortuna Assisted LivingMoss Beach Assisted LivingSan Ramon Assisted Living
Arcadia Assisted LivingFoster City Assisted LivingMountain View Assisted LivingSanger Assisted Living
Arleta Assisted LivingFountain Valley Assisted LivingMurrieta Assisted LivingSanta Ana Assisted Living
Arroyo Grande Assisted LivingFowler Assisted LivingN Hollywood Assisted LivingSanta Barbara Assisted Living
Artesia Assisted LivingFreedom Assisted LivingNapa Assisted LivingSanta Clara Assisted Living
Atascadero Assisted LivingFremont Assisted LivingNational City Assisted LivingSanta Clarita Assisted Living
Atwater Assisted LivingFrench Camp Assisted LivingNevada City Assisted LivingSanta Cruz Assisted Living
Auburn Assisted LivingFresno Assisted LivingNewark Assisted LivingSanta Fe Springs Assisted Living
Avila Beach Assisted LivingFullerton Assisted LivingNewbury Park Assisted LivingSanta Maria Assisted Living
Azusa Assisted LivingGalt Assisted LivingNewcastle Assisted LivingSanta Monica Assisted Living
Bakersfield Assisted LivingGarden Grove Assisted LivingNewhall Assisted LivingSanta Paula Assisted Living
Baldwin Park Assisted LivingGardena Assisted LivingNewport Beach Assisted LivingSanta Rosa Assisted Living
Banning Assisted LivingGilroy Assisted LivingNipomo Assisted LivingSantee Assisted Living
Beaumont Assisted LivingGlendale Assisted LivingNorco Assisted LivingSaratoga Assisted Living
Bell Assisted LivingGlendora Assisted LivingNorth Highlands Assisted LivingScotts Valley Assisted Living
Bell Gardens Assisted LivingGold River Assisted LivingNorth Hills Assisted LivingSeal Beach Assisted Living
Bella Vista Assisted LivingGoleta Assisted LivingNorth Hollywood Assisted LivingSeaside Assisted Living
Bellflower Assisted LivingGranada Hills Assisted LivingNorth Tustin Assisted LivingSebastopol Assisted Living
Belmont Assisted LivingGrand Terrace Assisted LivingNorthridge Assisted LivingSelma Assisted Living
Ben Lomond Assisted LivingGranite Bay Assisted LivingNorwalk Assisted LivingShafter Assisted Living
Benicia Assisted LivingGrass Valley Assisted LivingNovato Assisted LivingSherman Oaks Assisted Living
Berkeley Assisted LivingGreenbrae Assisted LivingNuevo Assisted LivingSherwood Forest Assisted Living
Bermuda Dunes Assisted LivingGrover Beach Assisted LivingOak Park Assisted LivingShingle Springs Assisted Living
Beverly Hills Assisted LivingHacienda Heights Assisted LivingOak View Assisted LivingSierra Madre Assisted Living
Bloomington Assisted LivingHanford Assisted LivingOakdale Assisted LivingSignal Hill Assisted Living
Bolinas Assisted LivingHarbor City Assisted LivingOakland Assisted LivingSilverado Assisted Living
Bonita Assisted LivingHawthorne Assisted LivingOakley Assisted LivingSimi Valley Assisted Living
Bonsall Assisted LivingHayward Assisted LivingOceanside Assisted LivingSolana Beach Assisted Living
Bradbury Assisted LivingHealdsburg Assisted LivingOjai Assisted LivingSomis Assisted Living
Brea Assisted LivingHemet Assisted LivingOlivehurst Assisted LivingSonoma Assisted Living
Brentwood Assisted LivingHerald Assisted LivingOntario Assisted LivingSoquel Assisted Living
Buena Park Assisted LivingHercules Assisted LivingOrange Assisted LivingSouth Gate Assisted Living
Burbank Assisted LivingHermosa Beach Assisted LivingOrangevale Assisted LivingSouth Pasadena Assisted Living
Burlingame Assisted LivingHesperia Assisted LivingOrcutt Assisted LivingSouth San Francisco Assisted Living
Calabasas Assisted LivingHighland Assisted LivingOrinda Assisted LivingSpring Valley Assisted Living
Calimesa Assisted LivingHilmar Assisted LivingOrland Assisted LivingStanton Assisted Living
Calistoga Assisted LivingHollywood Assisted LivingOroville Assisted LivingStevenson Ranch Assisted Living
Camarillo Assisted LivingHughson Assisted LivingOxnard Assisted LivingStockton Assisted Living
Cameron Park Assisted LivingHuntington Beach Assisted LivingPacific Grove Assisted LivingStrathmore Assisted Living
Camino Assisted LivingHuntington Park Assisted LivingPacific Palisades Assisted LivingStudio City Assisted Living
Campbell Assisted LivingImperial Assisted LivingPacifica Assisted LivingSuisun Assisted Living
Canoga Park Assisted LivingImperial Beach Assisted LivingPacoima Assisted LivingSuisun City Assisted Living
Canyon Country Assisted LivingIndian Wells Assisted LivingPalm Desert Assisted LivingSun City Assisted Living
Capistrano Beach Assisted LivingIndio Assisted LivingPalm Springs Assisted LivingSun Valley Assisted Living
Capitola Assisted LivingInglewood Assisted LivingPalmdale Assisted LivingSunland Assisted Living
Cardiff By The Sea Assisted LivingIone Assisted LivingPalo Alto Assisted LivingSunnyvale Assisted Living
Carlsbad Assisted LivingIrvine Assisted LivingPalos Verdes Peninsula Assisted LivingSutter Creek Assisted Living
Carmel Assisted LivingJackson Assisted LivingPanorama Assisted LivingSylmar Assisted Living
Carmel By The Sea Assisted LivingJamul Assisted LivingPanorama City Assisted LivingTarzana Assisted Living
Carmel Valley Assisted LivingJoshua Tree Assisted LivingParadise Assisted LivingTehachapi Assisted Living
Carmichael Assisted LivingJurupa Valley Assisted LivingParamount Assisted LivingTemecula Assisted Living
Carpinteria Assisted LivingKenwood Assisted LivingPasadena Assisted LivingTemple City Assisted Living
Carson Assisted LivingLa Canada Flintridge Assisted LivingPaso Robles Assisted LivingTempleton Assisted Living
Castaic Assisted LivingLa Crescenta Assisted LivingPenn Valley Assisted LivingThousand Oaks Assisted Living
Castro Valley Assisted LivingLa Habra Assisted LivingPenngrove Assisted LivingTiburon Assisted Living
Castroville Assisted LivingLa Jolla Assisted LivingPenryn Assisted LivingTorrance Assisted Living
Cathedral Assisted LivingLa Mesa Assisted LivingPerris Assisted LivingTracy Assisted Living
Cathedral City Assisted LivingLa Mirada Assisted LivingPetaluma Assisted LivingTujunga Assisted Living
Ceres Assisted LivingLa Palma Assisted LivingPico Rivera Assisted LivingTulare Assisted Living
Cerritos Assisted LivingLa Puente Assisted LivingPinole Assisted LivingTurlock Assisted Living
Chastworth Assisted LivingLa Quinta Assisted LivingPittsburg Assisted LivingTustin Assisted Living
Chatsworth Assisted LivingLa Quinta Care Inc Assisted LivingPlacentia Assisted LivingUkiah Assisted Living
Cherry Valley Assisted LivingLa Verne Assisted LivingPlacerville Assisted LivingUnion City Assisted Living
Chico Assisted LivingLadera Ranch Assisted LivingPlaya Del Rey Assisted LivingUpland Assisted Living
Chino Assisted LivingLafayette Assisted LivingPlaya Vista Assisted LivingVacaville Assisted Living
Chino Hills Assisted LivingLaguna Beach Assisted LivingPleasant Hill Assisted LivingValencia Assisted Living
Chula Vista Assisted LivingLaguna Hills Assisted LivingPleasanton Assisted LivingVallejo Assisted Living
Citrus Heights Assisted LivingLaguna Niguel Assisted LivingPomona Assisted LivingValley Center Assisted Living
City Of Industry Assisted LivingLaguna Woods Assisted LivingPort Hueneme Assisted LivingValley Glen Assisted Living
Claremont Assisted LivingLake Arrowhead Assisted LivingPorter Ranch Assisted LivingValley Village Assisted Living
Clayton Assisted LivingLake Balboa Assisted LivingPorterville Assisted LivingVan Nuys Assisted Living
Clovis Assisted LivingLake Elsinore Assisted LivingPortola Valley Assisted LivingVenice Assisted Living
Colfax Assisted LivingLake Forest Assisted LivingPoway Assisted LivingVentura Assisted Living
Colma Assisted LivingLake View Terrace Assisted LivingQuartz Hill Assisted LivingVictorville Assisted Living
Colton Assisted LivingLakeside Assisted LivingRamona Assisted LivingVilla Park Assisted Living
Compton Assisted LivingLakeview Terrace Assisted LivingRancho Cordova Assisted LivingVisalia Assisted Living
Concord Assisted LivingLakewood Assisted LivingRancho Cucamonga Assisted LivingVista Assisted Living
Corona Assisted LivingLancaster Assisted LivingRancho Mirage Assisted LivingWalnut Assisted Living
Corona Del Mar Assisted LivingLathrop Assisted LivingRancho Mission Viejo Assisted LivingWalnut Creek Assisted Living
Coronado Assisted LivingLawndale Assisted LivingRancho Palos Verdes Assisted LivingWatsonville Assisted Living
Corte Madera Assisted LivingLemon Grove Assisted LivingRancho Santa Margarita Assisted LivingWeimar Assisted Living
Costa Mesa Assisted LivingLemoore Assisted LivingRed Bluff Assisted LivingWest Covina Assisted Living
Cotati Assisted LivingLincoln Assisted LivingRedding Assisted LivingWest Hills Assisted Living
Covina Assisted LivingLindsay Assisted LivingRedlands Assisted LivingWest Hollywood Assisted Living
Culver City Assisted LivingLittlerock Assisted LivingRedondo Beach Assisted LivingWest Sacramento Assisted Living
Cupertino Assisted LivingLive Oak Assisted LivingRedwood City Assisted LivingWestlake Assisted Living
Cypress Assisted LivingLivermore Assisted LivingReedley Assisted LivingWestlake Village Assisted Living
Daly City Assisted LivingLivingston Assisted LivingReseda Assisted LivingWestminster Assisted Living
Dana Point Assisted LivingLodi Assisted LivingRialto Assisted LivingWhittier Assisted Living
Danville Assisted LivingLoma Linda Assisted LivingRichmond Assisted LivingWildomar Assisted Living
Davis Assisted LivingLomita Assisted LivingRio Linda Assisted LivingWilton Assisted Living
Del Mar Assisted LivingLong Beach Assisted LivingRipon Assisted LivingWinchester Assisted Living
Desert Hot Springs Assisted LivingLoomis Assisted LivingRiverbank Assisted LivingWindsor Assisted Living
Diamond Bar Assisted LivingLos Alamitos Assisted LivingRiverside Assisted LivingWinnetka Assisted Living
Dixon Assisted LivingLos Altos Assisted LivingRocklin Assisted LivingWoodland Assisted Living
Downey Assisted LivingLos Angeles Assisted LivingRodeo Assisted LivingWoodland Hills Assisted Living
Duarte Assisted LivingLos Gatos Assisted LivingRohnert Park Assisted LivingYorba Linda Assisted Living
Dublin Assisted LivingLos Osos Assisted LivingRolling Hills Estate Assisted LivingYountville Assisted Living
Eagle Rock Assisted LivingLynwood Assisted LivingRolling Hills Estates Assisted LivingYuba City Assisted Living
East Long Beach Assisted LivingMalibu Assisted LivingRosemead Assisted LivingYucaipa Assisted Living
East Palo Alto Assisted LivingManhattan Beach Assisted LivingRoseville Assisted LivingYucca Valley Assisted Living
East Sacramento Assisted LivingManteca Assisted LivingRossmoor Assisted Living 
Eastvale Assisted LivingMarina Assisted LivingRowland Heights Assisted Living 
El Cajon Assisted LivingMartinez Assisted LivingSacramento Assisted Living 
El Centro Assisted LivingMarysville Assisted LivingSacramneto Assisted Living 
El Cerrito Assisted LivingMaywood Assisted LivingSaint Helena Assisted Living 
El Dorado Assisted LivingMenifee Assisted LivingSalida Assisted Living 
El Dorado Hills Assisted LivingMenlo Park Assisted LivingSalinas Assisted Living 
El Macero Assisted LivingMentone Assisted LivingSan Anselmo Assisted Living 
El Monte Assisted LivingMerced Assisted LivingSan Bernardino Assisted Living 

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