St. Petersburg, Florida is home to almost 50,000 seniors, comprising a sizeable 19.3% of the state’s total residents. Dubbed as the Sunshine City, the area’s tropical weather offers active seniors year-round opportunities for exploring the stunning shoreline, scenic beaches and downtown waterfront. While the cost of living is just slightly lower than the national average, Florida’s zero income tax policy makes the city an attractive destination for cost-conscious retirees wanting to get the most out of their Social Security and pension income.
Assisted living facilities cater to seniors who need support with activities of daily living, though not at the same level of care provided by nursing homes. Services typically include personal care, housekeeping and medication management, as well as recreational programs. In St. Petersburg, seniors spend an average of $3,350 per month for these services, which is $650 and $1,150 lower than the state and national averages, respectively.
This guide presents useful insights about assisted living in St. Petersburg. It provides an overview of monthly assisted living costs as compared to neighboring cities, helpful facts about retirement living in the city and a list of local programs and agencies that offer free or low-cost resources for seniors.
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 Florida. 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.
Seniors in St. Petersburg spend an average of $3,350 per month for assisted living services, which typically include accommodations, personal care and social programming.
The cost of assisted living care in St. Petersburg is lower by $650 than the state average and lower by $1,150 than the national average.
St. Petersburg has one of the lowest assisted living costs per month in Florida. Jacksonville, the largest and most populous city in the state, and Tallahassee, the state capital, are on the higher end at $4,660 and $4,650, respectively. Assisted living in the coastal city of Miami is significantly costlier than in St. Petersburg at $4,385, while the cost in Port St. Lucie, another coastal city, is just slightly higher at $3,763. Seniors in nearby Orlando and Cape Coral spend $650 and $984 more, respectively. Gainesville, located up north, has one of the lowest costs at $2,350.
Note: Data for St. Petersburg was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Tampa, was used instead.
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 Florida.
Resource | Contact | Service |
Sunshine Senior Center | (727) 893-7101 | The Sunshine Senior Center is a gathering place for residents aged 50 and older. It offers a wide range of programs and services aimed at enriching the lives of the city’s elderly population. Programs include health, fitness and wellness classes, social and recreational activities and volunteer opportunities. The center also provides assistance with Medicare, health screening, transportation and notary services. Several agencies that provide senior services are located at the center. |
SHINE | (727) 570-9696 | Florida’s SHINE or Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders Program assists seniors, their families and caregivers in sourcing unbiased information regarding Medicare and health insurance. Trained volunteers provide free one-on-one counseling in person or over the phone, conduct educational presentations and distribute promotional materials in the community. The SHINE program is supervised by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and Area Agency on Aging. |
Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas | (727) 217-8111 | The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas is a nonprofit agency that helps older adults in Pasco and Pinellas counties lead healthy lives and enjoy optimal quality of life. The agency connects seniors to various government-funded resources to better meet their needs, including senior housing options, transportation, volunteer opportunities and Medicare benefits. |
Florida Senior Legal Helpline | (888) 895-7873 | The Florida Senior Legal Helpline provides free legal assistance to seniors. Civil legal advice is provided over the telephone, and callers must be 60 years and older and meet certain income requirements. Seniors can request advice on issues regarding Medicare and Medicaid, Social Security, elder abuse, housing and family law. The program is funded by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and Bay Area Legal Services, Inc., a nonprofit public interest law firm. |
Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program | (800) 963-5337 | The SMMC LTC program provides home and community-based long-term care services, including personal care, therapy services, medication administration, skilled nursing and transportation to LTC services. The Department of Elder Affairs screens residents for eligibility, and the Agency for Health Care Administration enrolls recipients in appropriate health plans. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the St. Petersburg 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.