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San Diego, the second-largest city in California after Los Angeles, is a haven on the Pacific coast, famous for its warm climate, beautiful beaches and extensive parks. It is home to around 1.5 million people, and seniors aged 65 and older make up 12.3% of the population. San Diego’s mild climate year-round, with an average of 201 days above 70 degrees Fahrenheit and low rainfall annually, makes it an ideal location for retirement. During most days of every season, seniors can enjoy captivating outdoor activities such as biking, jogging, tennis, boating, hiking, fishing, surfing, picnicking or beach strolls. The city is also home to countless world-class attractions, including the USS Midway, Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld San Diego.
In San Diego’s assisted living facilities, seniors can receive around-the-clock assistance with their personal hygiene and daily living tasks while also being part of an active community. Housekeeping and meals are typically included, and many communities also offer on-site therapy. On average, San Diego’s seniors spend $5,475 a month on assisted living, which is higher than the state and national medians.
After comparing the cost of assisted living in San Diego with other parts of the state, we’ll detail a few resources that may help seniors find a facility that meets their needs.
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.
According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, on average, assisted living in San Diego costs $5,475 a month.
Seniors in San Diego spend an average of $225 more on assisted living than seniors throughout the state. Compared to seniors throughout the country, they spend $975 a month more on their care.
Cities in the northern part of the state have some of the highest care costs, with San Francisco ($6,319) and Napa ($6,300) being near the top of the range. San Jose, where seniors pay about $525 a month more for assisted living than seniors in San Diego, isn’t far behind. Heading south, average care costs are relatively affordable in Bakersfield ($3,750) and Fresno ($3,900), while in Los Angeles ($5,250), the average cost of care is in line with the statewide average.
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 | |
| 211 San Diego | (858) 300-1211 (800) 227-0997 | 2-1-1 San Diego is a resource and information hub connecting the residents of the region with health, community and disaster services through free phone service and a searchable online database. The platform serves the entire population of San Diego, and seniors or families of elderly citizens can rely on it to find relevant information about assisted living services and programs. |
| ElderHelp of San Diego | (619) 284-9281 | ElderHelp is a dynamic agency dedicated to improving the lives of elderly citizens and their families. It provides a host of community-based solutions through a team of professional staff and over 350 paraprofessional volunteers aimed at enabling seniors to live more independently. Founded in 1973, the organization has been a critical resource to San Diego’s surging population of seniors facing the many limitations that come with advanced age. One of its programs, HomeShare, assists seniors seeking affordable housing by matching them with suitable home providers. |
| HICAP | (800) 434-0222 | HICAP ( Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program) is supported by California Health Advocates, the leading Medicare advocacy and education non-profit in California. With offices in San Diego and many other counties throughout California, HICAP provides free information, guidance and counseling about Medicare. Volunteer counselors are available to help seniors and the general population to understand their rights and health care options. HICAP also provides free educational presentations to groups of Medicare beneficiaries and other relevant parties on various Medicare and other health insurance topics. |
| San Diego Home Health Care | Web Page | San Diego Home Health Care is a web page aimed at educating the residents of San Diego on the differences between skilled nursing services and non-medical home care. It also provides numerous links to financial and senior assistance resources in San Diego. Elderly citizens and their families can find detailed information involving senior care, from how Medicare works to guidance on home care equipment and supplies at discounted prices. |
| Sharp Healthcare | (619) 740-4288 | Sharp Healthcare is a not-for-profit integrated regional health care delivery system with several hospitals, affiliated medical groups and a health plan. It offers free transportation services to seniors and individuals with disabilities, provided their cases are not emergencies. Vans are available for dispatch near their hospital locations, and services for physician appointments can also be accessed at some of their facilities. |
| Cool Zones | (800) 510-2020 | From June to October, there is a cool zone program in San Diego that helps seniors and individuals with disabilities to escape from extreme heat. Over 115 locations are available throughout the region, and all are well-air-conditioned and marked with a Polar Bear Cool Zone logo. If you cannot search for a nearby cool zone online, you can call Aging Independence Services through the provided contact and select option ‘6′. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the San Diego 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.
