Talk to a local advisor for free
Idyllically situated on the scenic Monterey Peninsula on California’s Central Coast, Carmel offers a peaceful seaside lifestyle paired with upscale amenities. Residents enjoy excellent restaurants, shopping and entertainment options in Carmel’s artistic downtown district, while the nearby white-sand beaches offer opportunities for picnicking, beachcombing, kite flying or sitting in quiet contemplation watching the vibrant sunsets. Golf enthusiasts can tee off at nearby Pebble Beach Golf Links, which has been rated the best course in the country and routinely hosts major events such as the U.S. Open.
Seniors are well-represented in Carmel, which has a median resident age of slightly over 61 years. The average cost of assisted living in Carmel is $6,800 per month, although prices at individual facilities may vary depending on the type and quality of the amenities and services provided as well as the facility’s location within the community.
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 >
At an average of $6,800 per month, the cost of assisted living in Carmel is $2,500 higher than the national median of $4,300 and $1,800 more than the California average of $5,000. Average costs drop to $4,659 in neighboring Oregon but rise to $5,750 in Washington. Assisted living prices fall to $3,900 in Arizona, and even further to $3,595 in Nevada.
Assisted living costs span a wide range within California. Seniors in Salinas pay the highest average rate of $7,100 per month, while those in Stockton pay the lowest at $3,500. San Francisco residents pay an average of $6,100, while their counterparts in Bakersfield pay the second-lowest cost statewide at $3,613. Prices are about midrange in Vallejo and San Diego at $4,500 and $4,525, respectively.
Note: Data for Carmel was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Santa Cruz, was used instead.
Residents of Carmel who need a nursing home level of care and meet specific income guidelines may be eligible for Medi-Cal’s Assisted Living Waiver. This waiver helps cover the cost of assisted living services and allows eligible seniors to remain in a less restrictive community setting in one of 15 California counties, including neighboring Fresno and Kern counties. Our Assisted Living in California page has more information about the ALW, including who’s eligible and how to apply.
| Contact | Description | |
| Monterey County Area Agency on Aging | (831) 755-4466or(800) 510-2020 | Monterey County seniors can receive a variety of services and referrals through the Monterey County Area Agency on Aging. The agency publishes a Senior Resource Guide and operates a Senior Helpline. The Helpline’s social workers can aid seniors with identifying and accessing local, state and national programs and services that meet their needs. |
| Seniors Helping Seniors | (831) 624-6403 | Administered by the Carmel-by-the-Sea Police Department, Seniors Helping Seniors offers volunteer opportunities for seniors to provide companionship, welfare checks and telephone calls to their peers who live alone. The program also holds social events for seniors, such as the annual Seniors Christmas Luncheon. |
| Alliance on Aging | (831) 655-1334 | Alliance on Aging provides seniors with transportation assistance, health insurance counseling, benefits checkups, income tax assistance through AARP volunteers and a long-term care ombudsman program. Services are available in Spanish as well as English. |
| The Carmel Foundation | (831) 624-1588 | At the senior center for Carmel-by-the-Sea, local older adults can enjoy activities such as arts and crafts, language and fitness classes and group outings to area points of interest. The Carmel Foundation center also hosts interactive workshops on a variety of subjects, movies every Saturday at 1 p.m. and lectures, presentations and live music every Wednesday beginning at 2:30 p.m. There’s also a state-of-the-art technology center on-site where seniors can explore graphic design, photo manipulation, word processing and more. |
| American Legion Post 512 | (831) 624-9941 | Honorably discharged veterans of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families are eligible for membership in the American Legion. Membership provides opportunities to socialize with other military families through a variety of planned activities and community-based volunteer programs. Experienced volunteers can also help other veterans navigate the paperwork and other red tape involved in accessing service-based entitlements, such as VA pensions and Aid and Attendance benefits. |
Assisted living facilities in Carmel must comply with local, state and federal rules and regulations relevant to their operations. The Senior Care Licensing Program licenses and monitors these facilities in California. Our Assisted Living in California page has more information about these regulations.
