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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.
According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2019, the average cost of assisted living in San Diego is $4,750 per month. However, prices vary from one facility to the other depending on location, services and amenities provided.
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 >
At $4,750, the cost of assisted living in San Diego is $250 more than the statewide average price of $4,500. It’s also $699 more than the national assisted living cost average of $4,051. Costs are also higher compared to the state averages in the neighboring states, including Nevada, Oregon and Arizona. The costs can be attributed to the high housing costs in San Diego and throughout California.
Across California, assisted living costs vary widely from one city to the other. In the most populous city, Los Angeles, the average cost of senior living is $4,500, while the costs in the state’s third-largest city, San Jose, are $5,853. Prices in inland cities such as Sacramento ($4,500) and Fresno (3,861) are, however, lower compared to those in the coastal towns of Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco (4,750) and San Diego.
California’s Medicaid system, also known as Medi-Cal, helps cover the cost of long-term care for seniors age 65 and above. However, the program only includes in-home personal assistance that is either medical, assisted living or adult day care. For any other services, seniors must apply for a Medi-Cal waiver through the Assisted Living Waiver Program (ALWP) to help them cover long-term care assistance with personal care and household tasks. These services may include help with activities of daily living, housekeeping, laundry and transportation to medical appointments.
Learn more about the ALWP, the eligibility requirements and application process at our Assisted Living in California page.
| 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′. |
San Diego 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 California page to learn more about these laws and regulations.