Talk to a local advisor for free
Salem, the capital city of Oregon, is strategically located in the Willamette Valley center alongside the Willamette River. Salem has a population of around 175,000, 13.9% of whom are seniors aged 65 and older. From a senior-friendly climate with mild winters to great access to a myriad of outdoor activities, Salem is an ideal location for seniors looking to maintain an active lifestyle. The city has an extensive park system with many trails for hiking, biking and horse riding, as well as a museum show and numerous yearly festivals for entertainment, including the Oregon State Fair. Popular attractions for seniors in the region include The Oregon Garden, Oregon State Capital, Bush’s Pasture Park and Minto-Brown Island Park.
According to Genworth Financial’s 2019 Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of assisted living in Salem is $4,275 per month. However, prices vary from one facility to the other, depending on the location, services and 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 >
Salem’s average assisted living costs of $4,275 per month are slightly lower than the statewide median of $4,499 and $224 higher than the national average of $4,051. Average costs in the neighboring states of Nevada ($3,400) and Idaho ($3,728) are lower than the costs in Salem. Costs are higher in Washington and California at $5,500 and $4,500, respectively.
Throughout Oregon, assisted living costs do not vary widely, with the exception of few cities. Salem’s neighboring cities of Albany and Corvallis have similar costs at $4,266 and $4,152, respectively. Other nearby cities with slight cost differences include Eugene at $4,325, Bend at $4,199 and Medford at $3,950. However, assisted living costs in Portland and Grants Pass are higher than those in Salem, at $4,998 and $5,120, respectively.
The Community First Choice (CFC) plan is a program under Oregon’s Medicaid program, known as Oregon Health Plan (OHP), that offers older adults and disabled individuals financial assistance with their assisted living costs for services, such as assistance with the activities of daily living, medication management, personal care and grooming, meal preparation and feeding, mobility, housekeeping, laundry, transport and shopping assistance. Several Medicaid waivers, which are subject to eligibility requirements, are also available.
Learn more about these programs and the eligibility requirements on our Assisted Living in Oregon page.
| Contact | Description | |
| Department of Council on Aging | (978) 745-9595 | The Salem Council on Aging was established in 1967 to ensure Salem’s aging community received adequate assistance with senior care matters. The department now serves over 2,000 individuals every year, providing a wide range of services to ensure seniors live fulfilling lifestyles. Services include music programs, special events, exercise classes, sightseeing trips and museum tours. Seniors can also enjoy book clubs, in- and out-of-town trips, social services, home-delivered meals and daily hot lunches and overall support services to ensure their mental and physical well-being. |
| Oregon Department of Human Services | (503) 373-2227 | The Oregon Department of Human Services provides a resourceful website for seniors and their families, as well as all individuals charged with caring for or providing services to older adults. The website provides crucial information on senior care and assisted living communities throughout Salem and Oregon, including a guide to abuse reporting and investigations. This department also licenses all assisted living, residential care and memory care communities, so seniors can use the site to ensure that facilities that interest them are licensed. |
| Center 50+ | (503) 588-6303 | The City of Salem and concerned citizens collaborated to form Center 50+ as a nonmembership community center providing a broad range of services and programs for seniors aged 50 and older. The center’s goal is to help seniors maintain a healthy lifestyle as they age. Through group games, tours, entertainment and other activities, seniors can stay mentally and physically stimulated. The center also offers congregate meals Monday through Friday. |
Salem assisted living communities must comply with state laws and regulations around health and safety standards, staffing, medication administration and accommodations. Visit our Assisted Living in Oregon page to learn more about these laws and regulations.