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Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, is situated on the banks of Lake Mendota in the southeastern part of the state. The city is a short drive from Lake Michigan, giving seniors who enjoy boating, fishing or simply admiring the local wildlife plenty of options. Madison is close to other major cities, including Chicago, Green Bay and Milwaukee, and is home to the University of Wisconsin. Seniors can audit courses at the university or cheer on the Badgers football and basketball teams, and the walkable downtown area has plenty of shopping and dining destinations.
Madison has cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. The cost of living here is on par with the national average, and Wisconsin doesn’t levy a state tax on Social Security and some other types of retirement income. These two financial considerations may make seniors better able to afford assisted living.
In Madison, retirees have 58 assisted living communities to choose from, and the average cost for assisted living is $3,950 per month. This average varies between facilities according to location and the amenities offered.
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 >
The average assisted living cost in Madison is $3,950 per month, which is slightly lower than the national average of $4,051. The Wisconsin state average is $4,350, which is slightly higher than in many neighboring states. Illinois and Indiana, to the south, average $4,170 and $4,100, respectively. To the east in Michigan, the average monthly cost is $4,000, while to the west in Minnesota, assisted living averages $3,800 per month.
Monthly assisted living fees vary throughout the state of Wisconsin, with thousands of dollars difference between the major metro areas. Madison averages $3,950 per month and is close in cost to Eau Claire, where assisted living fees average $3,893 per month. Milwaukee and Green Bay assisted living averages are several hundred dollars higher per month than in Madison, at $4,485 and $4,400, respectively. At $4,788, Racine has one of the highest per-month averages for assisted living, while La Crosse has one of the lowest averages at just under $2,600 per month.
Wisconsin Medicaid offers the Medical Personal Assistance Plan program to help seniors with demonstrated financial needs afford assisted living care. In addition to providing proof of income eligibility, applicants must be assessed as needing a nursing home-level of care.
Learn more about the ALW, the eligibility requirements and application process at our Assisted Living in Wisconsin page.
| Contact | Description | |
| Dane County Veterans Services Office | (608) 266-4158 | Staff members at the VA help veterans and their surviving spouses access benefits, including health care and death benefits. Other available services include transportation, on a limited basis. |
| Area Agency on Aging of Dane County | (608) 243-5670 | This agency serves Dane County seniors and their families, connecting seniors to aging-related resources. Caseworkers can help Madison residents apply for medical benefits and other forms of government assistance. Individuals receive assistance based on their needs, and all programs are intended to help seniors remain in their homes and communities. |
| Madison Senior Center | (608) 267-8684 | The Madison senior center coordinates a variety of activities throughout the week, including lunches, card games and special interest group meetings. Other activities include educational seminars and celebrations for holidays. |
| Legal Action of Wisconsin | (608) 256-3304 | Through Legal Action of Wisconsin, local Madison attorneys provide free advice and help to seniors who demonstrate a financial need. The available assistance may relate to civil matters, estate planning and living wills, as well as cases of elder abuse and neglect. |
| Ombudsman Program – Board on Aging & Long Term Care | (800) 815-0015 | The Wisconsin Department of Health sponsors this program for senior advocacy. Ombudsmen help seniors living in Madison long-term care and their families by investigating complaints about elder abuse and neglect. |
| SeniorCare Prescription Drug Assistance Program | (800) 657-2038 | The state of Wisconsin offers this program to help seniors aged 65 and older pay for prescription medications. The amount of coverage a recipient receives is based on their income. |
All assisted living facilities in Wisconsin are licensed and regulated by the Department of Health Services. Assisted living communities are inspected regularly to ensure cleanliness and the safety of the facility. In addition, facilities are evaluated on their meal offerings, the staff-to-resident ratio and the training and certification of the staff members. Visit our Assisted Living in Wisconsin page for more information about these laws.