Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, California, San Jose is a thriving, modern city that offers seniors a comfortable, relatively dry coastal climate, a vibrant cultural scene and access to local wineries, upscale shopping areas and historic attractions. San Jose is home to 1,021,795 people, and just over 12% of residents are aged 65 or older. There are plenty of world-class health care providers in the area, including the Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center and the Stanford Hospital.
According to Genworth’s 2019 Cost of Care Survey, the average monthly cost of assisted living in San Jose is $5,853, although prices at individual facilities may be higher or lower depending on the location, amenities and accommodations.
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 an average of $5,853, the monthly cost of assisted living in San Jose is $1,353 higher than the state average of $4,500, and $1,802 higher than the national average of $4,051. Assisted living costs in the neighboring states of Nevada and Arizona are lower, at $3,400 and $3,750, while costs in Oregon are compatible with California at an average of $4,499 per month.
Further up the Pacific coast, monthly assisted living costs in Washington state are $1,000 more than in California at $5,500. To the east in Utah, the average monthly cost of assisted living care is $3,400, which is $1,100 less than in California.
Statewide, assisted living costs in California tend to be highest in coastal areas, including Santa Cruz ($5,250), San Luis Obispo ($5,500), and Santa Rosa ($5,640). Costs are significantly lower in most inland regions, including Fresno ($3,861), Merced ($3,175), and Bakersfield ($3,650).
Low-income seniors who need help covering assisted living costs may be eligible for enrollment in the Assisted Living Waiver, a Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services waiver. Administered by Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid system, the ALW helps reduce nursing home placement rates among fragile seniors by funding a range of medical and non-medical services delivered in an assisted living setting. Seniors aged 55 and older may also qualify for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE, which has a program site in Santa Clara county. The PACE program provides wraparound services and supports to help seniors remain in a community setting, such as an assisted living facility.
Learn more about these programs, plus who is eligible, on our Assisted Living in California page.
Contact | Description | |
Sourcewise Community Resource Solutions | (408) 350-3200 | As part of California’s network of Area Agencies on Aging, Sourcewise Community Resource Solutions serves as a one-stop shop for seniors who need free help accessing local, state and federal resources. Seniors can contact Sourcewise to speak with a certified health insurance counselor, sign up for case management services and get referrals to area agencies that serve older adults. |
Santa Clara County Office of Veterans Services | (408) 918-4980 | California veterans, their families and survivors can contact the Santa Clara County Office of Veterans Services for assistance with local, state and federal programs and benefits. Staff can help with VA benefit claims, including for Aid and Attendance and Housebound, a VA pension top-up program that can be used to pay assisted living costs. Outreach services are available for those who cannot attend the office in person. |
San Jose Programs for Active Adults 50+ | (408) 535-3576 | The City of San Jose’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services department operates a number of free and low-cost programs for adults aged 50 and over. These programs include a weekday Senior Nutrition Program that provides low-cost lunchtime meals for those aged 60 and over, and a number of recreational programs including fitness classes, social groups and special events for seniors. |
Valley Transportation Authority – Senior Mobility Services | (408) 321-2300 | The Valley Transportation Authority is the public transit provider for San Jose and the surrounding areas. The authority publishes a Senior Mobility Guide to help seniors and their caregivers learn about VTA programs geared towards older adults and people with disabilities. These include the VTA Daycation Program, a public transit orientation program, and VTA Access Paratransit, a low-cost door-to-door transportation service for those who are unable to use VTA’s bus and light rail service due to age or disabilities. |
San Jose Senior Citizens Commission | (408) 535-5659 | The San Jose Senior Citizens Commission is a resident-based committee focused on issues that impact older adults. Commissioners study, review and make recommendations to the San Jose City Council on matters related to seniors within the city, such as transportation, housing, health and recreation. |
As with all assisted living facilities in California, San Jose assisted living communities must comply with state laws and regulations regarding staffing, medication administration, accommodations and safety. Visit our Assisted Living in California page for more information about these laws.