Talk to a local advisor for free
In Philadelphia, nearly 14% of the city’s 1.58 million residents are aged 65 and older, creating a thriving community of active seniors. With a lower cost of living than many major cities, Philadelphia is a great place for seniors living on fixed incomes. Even better, Pennsylvania doesn’t tax retirement benefits, leaving older adults with more money in their pockets. In addition to the financial benefits of retiring in Philadelphia, seniors can enjoy the city’s many cultural attractions and outdoor venues. Convenient access to the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Franklin Institute are just a few of the highlights of living in the City of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia is also less than two hours from New York City, making it easy to enjoy a quick excursion to the Big Apple.
Assisted living in Philadelphia costs an average of $4,875 per month, but actual prices may be higher or lower depending on the location of the facility and the services and amenities provided to residents.
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 >
In Philadelphia, assisted living costs an average of $4,875 per month, which is much higher than the state average of $3,913 and the national average of $4,051. The cost of assisted living in nearby states varies widely, with care in Ohio, New York and Maryland costing less than care in Philadelphia. At an average cost of $6,400 per month, assisted living is much more expensive in New Jersey than it is in Philadelphia and the rest of the region.
Due to variations in the cost of living, the cost of assisted living varies widely throughout the state of Pennsylvania. In Pittsburgh, the state’s second-largest city, assisted living costs an average of $3,265 per month. Allentown, located just over 60 miles from Philadelphia, has an average monthly cost of $3,700. Erie and Reading have average costs of $3,538 and $3,463 per month, respectively. Scranton, a small city in northeastern Pennsylvania, has average monthly costs of $2,546.
The Pennsylvania Medicaid program has an aging waiver that may provide coverage for some of the services provided by assisted living facilities. This is a home and community-based waiver that aims to help seniors remain in community settings, such as assisted living facilities, instead of moving into nursing homes. The HealthChoices program administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services may also help seniors pay for services in community facilities.
Learn more about these programs and the application process on our Assisted Living in Pennsylvania page.
| Contact | Description | |
| Philadelphia Corporation for Aging | (215) 765-9040 | The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging funds senior centers throughout Philadelphia, giving local seniors valuable opportunities to socialize. PCA also serves as Philadelphia’s Area Agency on Aging, providing grab-and-go meals, caregiver support and other services to help seniors remain in their communities and avoid isolation. |
| Veterans Affairs Medical Center | (215) 823-4133 | The Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center provides medical care, counseling and other services to seniors who qualify for care via the Department of Veterans Affairs. Staff at the VA may also be able to refer seniors to local services that help with housing, home modifications and other services. |
| NewCourtland’s Philadelphia Senior Centers | (888) 530-4913 | NewCourtland’s Philadelphia Senior Centers provide services to adults aged 55 and older. The aim of NewCourtland programs is to give seniors opportunities to socialize and learn new skills. In Philadelphia, these senior centers serve more than 5,000 older adults per year. |
| Philadelphia Parks & Recreation | (215) 685-2736 | Philadelphia Parks & Recreation operates six senior centers in the city. Available to adults aged 50 and older, these senior centers offer educational and recreational programs, healthy meals, social services and transportation to help seniors remain active and independent. |
| Mayor’s Commission on Aging | (215) 686-8450 | The Philadelphia Mayor’s Commission on Aging exists to provide Philadelphia seniors with access to the resources and benefits they need to stay healthy and remain in their own homes. The Mayor’s Commission helps seniors connect with services that provide nutritious meals, financial assistance and help with avoiding foreclosure. |
| Pennsylvania Department of Aging | (717) 783-1550 | The Pennsylvania Department of Aging helps seniors locate needed resources and report concerns regarding long-term care facilities. Anyone with a concern about elder abuse occurring in a nursing home or assisted living facility can make a report to the PDA ombudsman. The department also operates senior centers throughout Pennsylvania. |
Philadelphia assisted living facilities must follow stringent regulations to maintain their licenses in good standing. Every facility in Pennsylvania must follow these rules to ensure the safety of all residents. Visit our Assisted Living in Pennsylvania page to learn more about these regulations.