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With over 433,000 residents, Oakland is the third most populous city in the San Francisco Bay Area. The city has a highly diverse population of which 12.9% are over the age of 65. This rich cultural heritage has led to it developing a strong artistic identity with several celebrated institutions such as the Oakland Museum of California and the African American Museum and Library.
Seniors in Oakland may consider moving into an assisted living facility if they need help with daily activities and want to live among their peers. In addition to a room, regular meals and personalized assistance, these communities offer a range of recreational and social activities to help residents live their best lives. On average, assisted living in Oakland costs $6,319 per month. This is high compared to the state and national average.
With this guide, you can compare assisted living costs in Oakland with other cities in California and learn how to pay for this type of care with our financial assistance resources.
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 California. 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.
Oakland families pay an average price of $6,319 per month for assisted living communities according to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey for 2021.
The average cost for assisted living in California is $5,250, which is $1,069 lower than it is in Oakland. The national average is $1,819 less expensive per month.
The only city in California where assisted living costs are higher than Oakland is Santa Rosa with a monthly average of $7,048. Stockton, which is just a bit to the east of Oakland, has some of the least expensive rates. San Jose is just to the south and has a monthly average of $6,000. In Vallejo, to the north, assisted living communities have a median rate of $4,950. Los Angeles and Sacramento are both more than $1,000 less expensive than Oakland: $5,250 and $5,225 respectively. The average price in San Diego is $5,475.
Note: Data for Oakland was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, San Francisco, 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 California.
| Contact | Description | |
| Alameda County Social Services Agency – Adult and Ageing Services | (510) 577-1900 | The Adult and Ageing Services Department of the Alameda County Social Services Agency is an organization that protects the rights of Oakland’s elderly and disabled population and offers a wealth of useful services. Seniors can consult with an ombudsman to file complaints about mistreatment or inadequate care in assisted living communities. Additionally, it can provide a public guardian for those requiring help with finance management due to memory impairment or neurocognitive disorders. |
| U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs Oakland Regional Office | (800) 827-1000 | The U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs Oakland Regional Office is an administrative department that represents the interests of military retirees in Oakland. The organization helps to connect veterans with the resources and financial assistance programs in their area, including VA health care and VA disability benefits. |
| Downtown Oakland Senior Center | (510) 238-3284 | Downtown Oakland Senior Center is the largest and longest-running senior center in the Oakland metro area. The facility has a diverse offering of events and activities to stimulate the mental and physical health of local residents. For a small annual fee, seniors have access to a full calendar of fitness classes, educational workshops, mutual aid meetings and movie screenings. Additionally, it offers legal assistance and essential medical care such as blood pressure monitoring and podiatry. |
| ASSETS | (510) 238-3535 | Founded in 1969 by the City of Oakland Department of Human Services, ASSETS is a program that helps Oakland seniors find employment opportunities in the area and overcome any obstacles such as disability or language. All citizens over the age of 55 are eligible for the program and are provided with free job placement in addition to any coaching they may need. The program offers financial compensation during training, paying a basic minimum wage. |
| Legal Aid For Seniors | (510) 832-3040 | Legal Aid For Seniors is a community outreach and advocacy group that helps elderly citizens to access all the legal resources they need irrespective of their financial situation. It provides representation during court proceedings relating to elder abuse, child guardianship, public benefits and health law. Its volunteers and employees regularly travel to senior centers throughout Alameda County to teach senior citizens about their rights. |
| California Alliance For Retired Americans | (877) 223-6107 | The California Alliance For Retired Americans (CARA) is a nonprofit organization that networks over 275 senior centers, tenant associations and community groups. This statewide operation is dedicated to providing social and economic justice for California’s elderly population, working closely with legislators and community leaders to influence policies on the governmental level. CARA regularly conducts Empowered Elder Workshops which provides extensive information on the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, and social security. CARA members also benefit from a cashback program that offers rebates from a number of popular online retailers. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Oakland 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.
