The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Redwood City, CA for 2024

Featuring walkable streets, outstanding shopping and dining options and high-quality long-term care facilities, Redwood City is a popular retirement destination for seniors, a demographic that makes up 13% of its 84,000 residents. This city is listed on the AARP Age-Friendly Network for its benefits and amenities for older adults, and it has two local hospitals to support older residents' health and quality of life. 

Redwood City also promotes a high standard of living for older adults through access to flexible long-term care solutions, including several assisted living communities. These facilities feature private and semiprivate housing, nutritious daily meals and individualized care plans, along with social and recreational activities that promote engagement and lifelong learning. Many communities have amenities such as walking paths and hair salons, and some coordinate skilled nursing services for those with intermittent or short-term daily medical needs. On average, seniors in Redwood City pay $6,319 per month for this level of care, which is high compared to state and national norms, as well as rates in neighboring communities. 

This guide provides information on how seniors pay for assisted living in Redwood City. It also lists resources that can help older adults navigate their long-term care options. 

The California Department of Social Service, Community Care Licensing Division, monitors assisted living communities in Redwood City and enforces strict licensing requirements to promote high-quality care. Local facilities are regulated by the San Bruno Adult & Senior Care Regional Office, which individuals can reach by calling (650) 266-8800.

• Redwood City seniors pay high state income taxes on nearly all retirement income, including withdrawals from retirement and investment accounts and public and private pensions. However, Social Security benefits aren’t taxed at the state level, which may benefit those who rely on this type of income to pay for long-term care.
• Redwood City is a member of the AARP Age-Friendly Network, indicating that there are measures in place to make the city a safe and inviting place for all residents. Its livability score puts it in the top half of U.S. communities, with factors such as high access to health care, the availability of public transportation options and multiuse neighborhoods positively impacting its rating.
• The American Lung Association gives San Mateo County, where Redwood City is located, a passing score for annual particle pollution and a moderate score of C for ozone pollution, also called smog. However, it gives 24-hour particle pollution levels an F. While certain health conditions may be aggravated by high pollution levels, many assisted living facilities host indoor activities throughout the year to help vulnerable individuals to avoid high-ozone or high-particle days.
• The overall cost of living in Redwood City is very high, rating 277.5 on a cost-of-living index based on a national score of 100. Local housing costs are about triple the state norm and over six times higher than national averages, but residents may also spend more on groceries, transportation and miscellaneous expenses than people in other cities. Living in residential care facilities may give older adults greater control over monthly expenses.
• Redwood City may be an attractive option for active seniors seeking a safe community, with the city rating 13.7 for violent crime and 30.7 for property crime on a 100-point crime index. This is notably lower than the respective national rates of 22.7 and 35.4. Additionally, the per capita crime rate is low compared to nearby cities, such as Union City and San Leandro. 
• Redwood City is home to two hospitals, including Kaiser Permanente Redwood City and Sequoia Hospital, promoting high access to medical care for seniors.

 

Assisted living residents in Redwood City pay monthly rates of $6,319 for housing and care.

Redwood City is a comparatively expensive place to obtain assisted living, with monthly rates averaging $6,319. This is well above the California norm of $5,250, and it exceeds the national average by about $1,800. Care costs in other Central California cities tend to be lower, with seniors in San Jose paying $6,000 per month for care, and Vallejo residents paying approximately $4,950. Prospective assisted living residents may save about $2,300 by choosing a facility in Modesto instead of Redwood City.

In Redwood City, assisted living residents pay $6,319 per month for housing and care. This is affordable compared to in-home care, which includes personal care and companionship services in the individual’s home for $6,864 per month, and home health care, which features skilled nursing for $7,150. Nursing home care, a residential option for those with advanced medical needs, is even costlier at $11,566 per month. Those seeking daytime services in a community environment pay $1,950 per month for adult day health care.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in California page.