Salinas is a small Central California city of roughly 164,000 citizens situated at the mouth of the Salinas Valley and 8 miles from the Pacific Ocean. As the largest community in Monterey County, Salinas offers a vibrant arts, culture and culinary scene. The city is particularly renowned for its fresh produce, vineyards and year-round pleasant weather. Although the cost of living in Salinas is high compared to the national average, it’s lower than the overall cost of living in California, making it a good choice for those seeking a California lifestyle without the usual price tag.
Approximately 9.2% of Salinas residents are aged 65 and over. At $6,000 per month, the cost of the average assisted living facility in Salinas is higher than national and state averages. Assisted living facilities provide supportive services for seniors who don’t need a nursing home level of care but who do require some help with activities of daily living. Services provided by these facilities include housekeeping, personal care, meal preparation and household maintenance.
This guide provides an introduction to assisted living in Salinas. Read on for more information about costs, how to pay for assisted living and a list of relevant resources.
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 California. 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.
Residents of assisted living facilities in Salinas pay a monthly average of $6,000, although individual costs of facilities vary depending on where they are located, the quality of the accommodations and the amenities and services they provide.
With an average monthly price tag of $6,000, assisted living costs in Salinas are higher than the California average of $5,250 and the national average of $4,500.
Assisted living costs around the state vary substantially. Seniors in the Bay Area community of Santa Rosa pay the most for assisted living at an average of $7,048, while their inland counterparts in Visalia pay the least at $3,450. Riverside residents pay a monthly average of $4,000, while those in San Diego and El Centro pay $5,475 and $6,150, respectively. Assisted living facilities in Redding cost an average of $4,450, and residents of California’s capital, Sacramento, pay a monthly average of $5,225.
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 California.
Resource | Contact | Service |
Active Seniors, Inc. | (831) 424-5066 | Salinas seniors can play mah-jong, join others for a ukulele jam, learn how to ballroom dance, explore their genealogy, update their technology skills or play ping pong at Active Seniors. A monthly luncheon features live entertainment and/or guest speakers. |
Military & Veterans Affairs Office | (831) 647-7613 | Veterans of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families can access assistance completing forms and filling out applications for service-based benefits, get information about health care options and get help with appeals. The agency also helps veterans locate their service records and provides transportation to and from local VA medical clinics. It also has a crisis hotline for veterans and their families who need emergency assistance. |
Monterey-Salinas Transit Senior Shuttle | (888) 678-2871 | Senior Shuttles provide direct transportation to locations popular with seniors in Monterey and Salinas, eliminating the need for seniors to transfer to buses to reach their destinations. Locations are chosen via community surveys. The transit service also provides seniors with training on the use of public transit. |
Monterey County Area Aging on Aging | (831) 976-3530 | The Monterey County Area Agency on Aging is the local branch of a nationwide network designed to meet the needs of older adults, particularly those who are low-income. Direct services include case management, balance workshops to minimize slip-and-fall accidents, wellness screenings and diabetes and pain management classes. The agency also administers the local Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which investigates claims of abuse, neglect and exploitation of residents in long-term care facilities. |
Legal Services for Seniors | (831) 899-0492 | Operating under the umbrella of Monterey County Area Agency on Aging, Legal Services for Seniors provides Monterey County residents aged 60 and over with legal services that include housing disputes, some small claims issues, consumer law and appeals for denial of Social Security, Medi-Cal and other public benefits. Seniors who have been the victims of elder abuse, fraud or scams can also receive assistance. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Salinas 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.