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San Marcos is a sunny retirement destination in Southern California said to have one of the best climates in the state. The nearby Pacific Ocean moderates temperatures to create mild winters and warm summers with few sweltering days. The city has plenty of outdoor attractions, including golf courses and Discovery Lake, which offers parks, nature trails, fishing and bird-watching. San Diego attractions, including the San Diego Botanical Garden and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, are only a short drive away.
Assisted living in the San Marcos area costs an average of $4,750 per month. There is a smaller senior population here than the national median, but there is still a wide variety of senior resources in the area. Additionally, California does not tax Social Security and offers and property tax relief for those over the age of 62, which may make the area more affordable for seniors.
Note: Data for San Marcos was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, San Diego, was used instead.
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 >
Due to its proximity to San Diego, San Marcos shares the area’s average assisted living cost of $4,750 per month. The city’s cost of assisted living is slightly higher than the state average of $4,500 and the national average of $4,051. California is one of the more expensive sunny retirement states in the area, with neighboring Nevada and Arizona coming in at $3,400 and $3,700, respectively. Along the coast, Oregon averages $4,499 per month and Washington comes in at $5,500.
Assisted living costs in California can vary widely by location. San Marcos seniors pay $4,750 per month, while seniors in nearby Los Angeles pay an average of $4,500. The Riverside area is more affordable at $3,525 per month, and El Centro to the east averages $4,850. Further up the coast, Salinas has an average monthly assisted living cost of $5,500, and San Francisco comes in at $4,750.
Seniors living in San Marcos may be eligible for a variety of Medi-Cal waivers to help defray the costs of assisted living, health care and personal assistance.
To learn more about these programs, their eligibility requirements and application processes, visit our Assisted Living in California page.
| Contact | Description | |
| California Department of Aging | (916) 419-7500 | This state-run organization operates a variety of programs for seniors, including Medicare counseling, legal assistance and caregiver services. A variety of nutrition programs include home meal delivery, fresh community lunches and a food pantry. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman is responsible for overseeing care homes and investigating allegations of elder abuse. |
| San Marcos Veterans Center | (855) 898-6050 | Operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, this agency helps veterans and their families access housing assistance, health care and employment placement. Assistance with benefits applications and appeals is also available. |
| Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego | (619) 323-2841 | At the Diocese, seniors can access transportation, as well as home-delivered and community meals. A foster grandparent program pays seniors a stipend for community outreach work, and a food pantry serves anyone in need. |
| Multipurpose Senior Services Program | 1 (800) 339-4661 | Operated by the California Department of Aging, the Multipurpose Senior Services Program offers a variety of resources for Medi-Cal eligible seniors. These include home repair, health care, meal services, transportation and personal assistance. |
| The Foundation for Senior Wellbeing | (844) 654-4636 | Seniors and their families can access free referrals for health care, housing, legal assistance, financial aid and home repair. The Senior Disaster Resource Alliance provides assistance to elders in need of transportation, housing and assistance during times of crisis. |
| Meals on Wheels San Diego County | (619) 260-6110 | Volunteers deliver nutritious meals to seniors who are homebound or disabled. These visits also provide socialization and ensure the wellness of isolated seniors. Through community partnerships, this organization is also able to provide pet meals, home clean up, smoke detector repair and fresh fruit and vegetable delivery services. |
| Rancho Bernardo Senior Services | (858) 487-2640 | This nonprofit offers free professional services, including legal aid, tax preparation and financial planning. Seniors can also access health services, such as wellness calls and flu shots, as well as continued education, such as driving refresher courses. Referrals are available for transportation and handyman services. |
Assisted living facilities in San Marcos must adhere to the state regulations laid out by California’s Department of Aging. Read more about these protections at our Assisted Living in California page.