With a cost of living that’s solidly below the U.S. average in all categories and an exceptionally clear climate that delivers an average of 280 sunny days per year, the Southwest city of Albuquerque has much to offer as a retirement location choice. Of this New Mexico city’s 564,559 residents, roughly 88,635 are age 65 or over, according to the data collected by the 2020 U.S. Census.
Assisted living facilities can help seniors more fully enjoy their retirement years through a mix of social activities and health support. In Albuquerque, the cost of assisted living is $4,750 per month, roughly $250 more than New Mexico and U.S. averages.
In the following guide, we’ll walk through some price comparisons to see how Albuquerque’s assisted living costs stack up against those of other cities in the region. We’ll also examine some Albuquerque-area resources that help support, inform and care for the area’s older population.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in New Mexico. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
Seniors in Albuquerque pay an average of $4,750 per month for assisted living care, which is a bit higher than their peers pay throughout the U.S.
Throughout the state of New Mexico, the average monthly price of assisted living care is $4,498, just a couple of dollars under the U.S. average of $4,500. Rates in Albuquerque are higher about $250 per month.
There’s a wide range of average costs for assisted living throughout New Mexico’s cities. In the state capital of Santa Fe, prices reach their highest at $5,814 per month. Las Cruces, deep in the southern part of the state and near the Mexico border, carries average costs of $4,495 per month. Farmington, to the north of Albuquerque and near the Colorado border, has New Mexico’s lowest reported assisted living costs at $3,999 per month. That said, a number of cities in states bordering New Mexico have cheaper average assisted living costs than Farmington, including Phoenix, AZ, at $3,975; Lubbock, TX, at $3,950; and Pueblo, CO, at $3,800.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in New Mexico.
Resource |
Contact |
Service |
(505) 764-6464 |
The City of Albuquerque makes curb-to-curb transportation available by reservation for county residents 60 years of age and up. Medical appointment transportation is given priority, but you can also set up non-medically related rides. This program also provides daily transportation to Albuquerque-area senior centers for those who live within a 5-mile radius of a location. | |
(800) 876-6657 |
Serving state residents 55 years and older, this helpline provides low-cost or pro bono legal advice. While its attorneys cannot assist with criminal cases, they can help direct seniors who have legal questions involving estate planning, government benefits, guardianship, debt and other civil matters. | |
(800) 432-2080 |
Ombudsmen help residents of long-term care communities receive adequate quality of care. In addition to investigating complaints regarding abuse and neglect in such communities, representatives of this office also keep residents appraised of their legal rights. | |
(505) 764-6400 |
Albuquerque residents age 50 and up can access any of the city’s eight senior centers to participate in group fitness exercises such as gentle aerobics and yoga, attend lectures and discussion groups on issues affecting older populations and take classes on health management and modern computing. These centers are also the hubs of the city’s congregate meal program, providing a social dining outlet where seniors can meet old friends or make new ones. | |
(505) 265-2300 |
This law office offers free legal assistance in Albuquerque’s Bernalillo County, working with adults 60 and older who fall within its income guidelines. Its basic services cover cases involving public benefits, living wills, powers of attorney and other legal issues that affect older adults. | |
1 (800) 827-1000 |
This center provides services for veterans of the U.S. military. Qualifying seniors can take advantage of mental health support, assistance with refilling, ordering and tracking medications and help with applying for relevant government benefits. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Albuquerque area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.