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A city of around 300,000 people nestled along the western border of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh was a steel town up until the early 21st century. Three distinct rivers run through the city — Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio — which meet at the historic site of Fort Duquesne. Today, Pittsburgh is home to large skyscrapers, big company headquarters, three professional athletic teams and a population of around 44,000 seniors.
Older adults seeking a supportive, shared living environment in their retirement years can turn to assisted living communities. Pittsburgh seniors pay an average of $3,250 per month for this kind of care, according to data from the Genworth Financial 2021 Cost of Care Survey. That price is significantly lower than the Pennsylvania state average and the U.S. national average.
The following guide provides a helpful overview of assisted living topics in Pittsburgh. We’ll look at how Pittsburgh’s prices stack up against those of other Pennsylvania cities, and we’ll also examine some local assistance programs.
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 Pennsylvania. 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.
Pittsburgh’s average monthly price for assisted living care is $3,250.
Pittsburgh’s average price for assisted living care is 21% cheaper than the Pennsylvania average price of $4,100. It’s also 28% cheaper than the U.S. average price of $4,500.
Prices for assisted living care are thousands of dollars higher than Pittsburgh’s in Reading, where seniors pay $5,720 a month, and in Philadelphia, where seniors see an average cost of $5,685. At an average of $5,510 per month, York is also over $2,000 more expensive than Pittsburgh on a month-to-month basis.
Prices are slightly lower in the cities of Harrisburg, at $4,828, and Erie, at $4,585; however, they’re still approximately 30% higher than costs in Pittsburgh. Scranton, which sits in the state’s northeast, is one of the few Pennsylvania cities with assisted living costs lower than those of Pittsburgh; its residents pay an average of $2,875 per month, $375 less than Pittsburgh’s seniors.
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 Pennsylvania.
| Contact | Description | |
| Pennsylvania Department of Aging | (717) 783-1550 | The Pennsylvania Department of Aging is a state-wide resource offering free assistance to seniors in Pittsburgh and beyond. Options include benefits counseling, connections to transportation and meal services and referrals to financial assistance programming. All seniors and their caretakers can access the Pennsylvania Department of Aging for free. |
| Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging (ACAAA) | (412) 350-4234 | The Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging is a no-cost resource for all seniors. With help from the AAA, seniors can get health insurance counseling, information about senior community centers, apply for services and speak with a long-term care ombudsman if needed. Services offered by the AAA are free of charge for all those residing in Allegheny county |
| Pittsburgh Vet Center | (412) 920-1765 | The Pittsburgh Vet Center is a comprehensive source of information for veterans of U.S. military services. This includes reviewing eligibility and processing applications for additional veteran benefits, like the VA Aid and Attendance benefit that can pay for a portion of the cost of assisted living facilities. The center is open Monday through Friday with after-hours or weekend appointments available by request. |
| Pittsburgh Senior News | (412) 760-5914 | Pittsburgh Senior News is a news and information source covering senior resources in Allegheny, Beaver and Butler counties. In addition to issuing monthly or quarterly publications, Pittsburgh Senior News provides access to charities and other organizations that can help with transportation, food assistance and financial aid. Seniors can access links through the website or read about local events and resources in the print publication. |
| Vintage Senior Center | (412) 361-5003 | Vintage Senior Center is a source of entertainment and information for seniors in Pittsburgh. Offering things like classes, workshops, recreational activities and access to information about legal assistance, financial assistance and health coverage, this facility lets seniors enjoy a wealth of activity and opportunity at the Vintage Senior Center. Membership may be required to access all resources available. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Pittsburgh 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.
