The 5 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Gainesville, FL for 2024

Also serving communities of Keystone Heights.

The average cost of assisted living in Gainesville is $4,478 per month. This is higher than the national median of $3,895. Cheaper rated regions include High Springs with an average starting cost of 2,750.

To help you with your search, browse the 138 reviews below for assisted living facilities in Gainesville. On average, consumers rate assisted living in Gainesville 4.32 out of 5 stars. Better rated regions include High Springs with an average rating of 4.31 out of 5 stars.

Caring.com has helped 22 families in Gainesville find high-quality senior care. To speak with one of our Family Advisors about assisted living options and costs in Gainesville, call (855) 948-3865.

Gainesville is the largest city in Alachua County in North Central Florida. It is a bustling college town with over 30 miles of biking and hiking trails, rivers and freshwater springs. Seniors — a little over 9 percent of the population — can choose from seven assisted living facilities in Gainesville with several others in nearby High Springs and Keystone Heights. The Florida Bureau of Health Facility Regulations licenses three types of assisted living communities: standard, limited nursing services (LNS) and extended congregate care (ECC).

• Seniors on a fixed income may find budget flexibility due to Florida's lack of state income taxes on all income, including retirement income such as pensions and social security benefits. Alachua County does have a sales tax of 6.5 percent on most purchases.
  
  
• Located in the northern part of the state, Gainesville isn't quite as hot as other Florida locations, but the summers are still hot and humid with highs in the 80s and low 90s. Winters are mild with low temps in the 40s and 50s, though daytime temperatures are typically warmer.
  
  
• The cost of living in Gainesville is 6 percent lower than the national average; it's also lower than surrounding areas like Alachua and Newberry.
  
  
• There are 6.69 violent crimes per 1,000 residents per year, which is more than 50 percent higher than the state and national averages. This is not uncommon for college towns, and Gainesville is home to the University of Florida.
  
  
• Alachua County received A and B grades from the American Lung Association for particle pollutants and high-ozone days, respectively. Poor air quality can worsen the symptoms of respiratory conditions like COPD.
  
  
• Gainesville's Freedom in Motion program offers an Uber-like system of transportation for eligible seniors that's subsidized and sometimes free. For seniors who don't qualify, RTS offers half-price bus passes as well as free passes for ADA-certified people.

Assisted Living costs in Gainesville start around $4,478 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of assisted living is $4,000 per month, according to the latest figures from Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey.

It’s important to note that assisted living rates in Gainesville and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

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 Florida page.