San Marcos is a suburb of the Texas state capital of Austin. It’s conveniently located along the Interstate 35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio, allowing residents here fast access to international airports, world-class health care and many of the benefits that two of Texas’s largest cities offer. San Marcos provides plenty for nature lovers, such as the 500+ acre Purgatory Creek Park that winds through the town, with riverside walking trails and opportunities for boating and swimming. For those who enjoy shopping, a large outlet mall offers many choices. This is a family-friendly suburb, with lower-than-average violent crime rates and a cost of living that’s below the national average. The community is small, just 65,000, and seniors aged 65 and older make up about 7% of the population.
If you need help with daily activities and want freedom from the stress and hassles of living alone, assisted living may be a good option for you. This level of care provides convenient services, such as meal service, housekeeping and maintenance, in a residential setting, freeing you up to pursue hobbies and interests. On average, according to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, assisted living facilities in San Marcos charge $5,345 per month, which is high compared to state and national norms.
Read on to learn about some options you may have for covering services and the nonprofit agencies and programs that can help.
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 Texas. 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.
Assisted living facilities in San Marcos charge $5,345 per month for care.
In San Marcos, seniors pay $5,345 per month for assisted living. This is over $800 higher than the national average and exceeds Texas’s norm by over $1,300.
San Marcos is among the costlier places in Texas to obtain care, with monthly rates averaging $5,345. This is about $250 less than costs in Victoria, which has the highest surveyed rates in the state of $5,600. In Odessa, care costs are nearly $1,000 less than in San Marcos at $4,398, and assisted living facilities in College Station charge even lower rates of $3,998. In San Antonio, care costs are about $1,900 less than in San Marcos, and in Texarkana, where rates are the cheapest in the state, seniors pay $3,413.
Note: Data for San Marcos was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Austin, was used instead.
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 Texas.
Contact | Description | |
Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area | (512) 916-6062 | The AAA advocates for the needs of seniors in the greater Austin area. Representatives petition for regulations that protect the elderly, at both the state and local levels. Other services include helping seniors access benefits they’re eligible for and administrating programs for seniors, including meal delivery, transportation and funding social activities to reduce isolation. |
Hays County Veteran Services Office | (512) 392-8387 | The Hays County VA Center assists local veterans to obtain VA benefits and provides counseling for topics that affect veterans such as grief and PTSD. Mental health services are also offered. |
Capital Metro | (512) 474-1200 | Cap Metro is Austin’s public transportation system, consisting of light rail and fixed bus routes. The system also schedules handicapped shuttles and paratransit. Seniors and those with a qualifying disability are eligible for reduced fares. |
San Marcos Senior Activity Center | (760) 744-5535 | The Senior Activity Center offers social, recreational, educational and health programs for seniors aged 50 and older. Some programs include wellness checks and informational meetings about nutrition and health topics, gentle exercise classes, space for hobby groups and games and social gatherings for holidays and birthdays. |
Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services | (855) 937-2372 | This agency staffs caseworkers who assist seniors and their families with applying for Social Security, health care and placement in long-term care homes. Seniors are guided to benefits that they may be eligible for. Other programs include counseling and education for caregivers, programs about nutrition and health screenings. |
Austin Bar Association Legal Aid | (512) 477-3950 | Elderly San Marcos seniors may receive pro bono legal assistance from area attorneys in civil matters or legal counsel. Other services include drafting legal documents, including wills and living wills, or filing for bankruptcy or divorce. Criminal cases are not eligible for these services. |
Health Equipment Lending Program | The AGE of Central Texas administers a program for medical equipment loans for those who meet income and disability eligibility. The equipment includes manual wheelchairs and walkers, TTY equipment, shower and toileting chairs and blood pressure cuffs and nebulizers. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the San Marcos 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.