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Boston, the cosmopolitan state capital of Massachusetts, has a population of 675,647,11.8% of whom are seniors aged 65 and older. With its excellent health care facilities and low cost of health care, Boston is a great choice for seniors looking to retire in a metropolitan city where they have access to affordable, high-quality health care.
Assisted living facilities offer support with daily living tasks, such as grooming, feeding and housekeeping. They could be a good option for seniors who no longer feel comfortable living independently in their own home but don’t require 24/7 medical support in a nursing home. Seniors in Boston pay an average of $6,819 per month for assisted living, which is slightly more expensive than the state average of $6,500.
This guide offers an introduction to assisted living in Boston. Continue reading to learn more about how the cost of care in Boston compares to other cities in Massachusetts and to discover some free resources for senior support.
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 Massachusetts. 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.
The cost of assisted living in Boston is $6,819 per month, but this can vary depending on the location within the city, the amenities available and the services offered.
In Boston, the cost of assisted living care is relatively expensive. It’s $319 more expensive than the state average and $2,319 more expensive than the national average of $4,500.
In Massachusetts, the cost of care varies significantly. The most expensive city for care in the state is Barnstable. The average monthly cost on Cape Cod is $7,000, which is slightly more than the average cost in Boston. West of Boston in Worcester, the cost of care is significantly cheaper at $5,685 and in Springfield, the average cost is even lower at $5,048. By far the most affordable city for care is Pittsfield where seniors can access assisted living for only $2,084 per month. In the neighboring state of Rhode Island, care costs are similar to Massachusetts. In Providence, the average price of care is $6,063. On the other end of the spectrum, in Manchester, New Hampshire, seniors typically pay around $8,061.
How to Get Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Boston
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 Massachusetts.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
| Central Boston Elder Services Inc. | (617) 277-7416 | Central Boston Elder Services provides seniors and disabled individuals in Greater Boston with a variety of services to enhance their quality of life. Services include elder protective services to ensure that elders aren’t victims of abuse or neglect as well as a money management program that helps seniors with low incomes to avoid financial exploitation and to learn about what benefits programs they may be entitled to. |
| BCYF Golden Age Senior Center | (617) 635-5175 | The BCYF Golden Age Senior Center offers a robust menu of activities and programs for seniors. Activities include a book club, bingo and walking club. There are also a range of useful support services for seniors and their loved ones, including social services, health screenings and nutrition programs. The center is free to join, but seniors must register. |
| Boston Vet Center | (857) 203-6461 | The Boston Vet Center assists veterans and their families by providing confidential help and support. Services include counseling support for needs such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and military sexual trauma (MST). The center offers counseling as well as therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). For seniors with other needs, including substance abuse and addiction, there’s a referral program to connect them to the appropriate care. |
| Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program | (617) 727-7750 | An ombudsman is an advocate who works to resolve any issues that may arise between residents in a long-term care facility and the staff. The ombudsmen visit facilities and interact with residents regularly, and anyone can bring forward a complaint for them to address. The ombudsmen also provide educational services for residents, loved ones and staff. |
| Volunteer Lawyers Project | (617) 603-1700 | The Volunteer Lawyers Project aims to provide in-need individuals in Greater Boston with access to legal representation. It has a team of volunteer attorneys and paralegals from all areas of the legal community. They can provide support in a variety of legal areas that may be useful to seniors, including debt relief, wills, powers of attorney and health care proxies. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Boston 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.
