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Columbia, MD, part of the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area was ranked in 2020 as one of the Best Places to Live in the U.S. by Money magazine. Social Security is not taxed in Maryland, and retirement and public pensions are only partially taxed, although private pensions are fully taxed, and sales tax is 18.7% lower than the national average at 6%. The city gets less snow and more sunshine than the national average, giving seniors more opportunities to enjoy the museums, restaurants and waterfront of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, which is only a 20-mile drive from Columbia.
Assisted living is a good long-term care option if you feel the need for physical support with your day-to-day activities but also want to live independently as much as possible. Per the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, Columbia seniors pay an average of $4,750 a month for assisted living — a price point that’s right between Maryland and national averages.
In the following guide, we’ll compare the reported monthly average prices of Maryland cities and examine some low-cost programs you can access for various kinds of senior support in Columbia.
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 Maryland. 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 average monthly cost of assisted living in Columbia is $4,750.
Columbia’s average monthly cost for assisted living is $250 higher than the national monthly average of $4,500. Maryland’s monthly average price for assisted living is $4,900, which is $150 higher than Columbia’s average cost.
Cumberland reports one of Maryland’s highest average monthly prices for assisted living at $5,248, which is about $500 more than costs in Columbia. Salisbury, which is in the state’s Eastern Shore region, reports a slightly higher price than Columbia does at $4,980. Among the other Maryland cities, only Hagerstown has a price lower than Columbia, at $4,630. York, PA, which is located roughly 1 hour north of Columbia, reports one of the highest average costs in the region at $5,510 a month. Similarly, nearby Washington, DC, located just 40 minutes south of Columbia, reports a significantly higher price of $5,948 a month.
Columbia seniors can apply for both Medicaid and non-Medicaid programs to help pay for the cost of assisted living. The Community Options Waiver, the Increased Community Services Program and the Community First Program are state Medicaid programs and the Senior Assisted Living Subsidy Program is a non-Medicaid state program that helps seniors afford the cost of services received while in assisted living. To learn more about these programs and their eligibility requirements, visit our Assisted Living in Maryland page.
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 Maryland.
| Contact | Description | |
| Howard County Office on Aging and Independence | (410) 313-6400 | Howard County Office on Aging and Independence is committed to helping older adults and those with disabilities access the services they need to remain independent for as long as possible. Its No Wrong Approach ensures seniors can easily access the services they need regardless of where they live, including in an assisted living facility. |
| Howard County 50+ Centers | (410) 313-7680 | Seniors in Howard County have six 50+ Centers to choose from, with the closest to Columbia only 5 miles away in East Columbia. Fitness, education, wellness and volunteer opportunities provide plenty for seniors to do. There are also virtual offerings for those who don’t want to travel. Membership is free and gives seniors access to all six locations, but registration is required. |
| Phone A Senior Program | (410) 313-1234 or email [email protected]. | Seniors who feel lonely or isolated need not be alone in Howard County. Volunteers in the Phone A Senior Program make weekly calls to check up on and chat with seniors who would like some support. |
| Loan Closet | (410) 313-0363 | Loan Closet is another Howard County program that provides seniors with refurbished durable medical equipment, such as canes, walkers, bathing equipment, communication devices, therapy aids and low-vision equipment. Assistive equipment is available for short- or long-term loan. |
| Office Of Veterans and Military Families | (410) 313-0821 | The Office of Veterans and Military Families is dedicated to helping servicemembers and their families obtain all benefits they are entitled to as a result of their service. They work closely with other departments in the county and state offices to uphold the No Wrong Door pathway to services. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Columbia 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.
