The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Berkeley, CA for 2024

Berkeley, CA, a San Francisco suburb located just across the bay, is full of diverse cultural and educational opportunities for retirees to explore. Home to just over 117,000 residents, of which approximately 17,923 are aged 65 or older, Berkeley is a thriving city with even more urban environments within 15 miles. While known for its high cost of living, Berkeley is also home to world-class amenities that include some of the top research institutes from around the globe. With the award-winning Alta Bates Summit Medical Center nearby, seniors have easy access to top-notch emergency medical care.

For seniors who need more assistance than is readily available at home, assisted living offers a blend of independent living along with a helping hand when needed. It's often ideal for seniors who struggle with daily tasks but don't need skilled nursing. The average cost of assisted living is $6,319 in Berkeley, which is $1,067 more than the state average and $1,819 more than the national median.

This guide offers a look at the types of senior care available in Berkeley, along with expected costs. It also has resources and assistance information to help seniors obtain benefits or financial help. 

The California Senior Care Licensing Program is the agency in charge of Berkeley assisted living communities. It monitors each community to ensure seniors receive the proper care and that all regulations are followed. Seniors seeking an assisted living community can use the agency's licensing database to ensure the facility is currently in compliance.

 

• Seniors pay less than average for health care in Berkeley. While Berkeley is expensive across many cost of living metrics, health care is affordable in the area. When compared to the national average, seniors in Berkeley save 2.4% on their health care costs. Seniors also have easier access to Medicare-registered physicians with 226 physicians per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average of 210.
• Berkeley has relatively low violent crime for a city its size, with an index of 28.5. While that is slightly higher than the national average of 22.7, it's comparable to or lower than many major cities throughout California such as Los Angeles, where the violent crime index is 29.1. In addition, seniors in assisted living have an additional layer of protection against violent crime, as most communities have private security.
• Cost of living in Berkeley is very high, with an index of 238.3 compared to the national average of 100. However, much of that difference is due to the very high property values in the area. Housing is five times more expensive in Berkeley than the national median. Seniors in assisted living aren't directly affected by housing costs. 
• Due to the high property values, California has extensive property tax benefits for seniors. Instead of offering direct property tax rebates, California allows seniors to lock in a rate at the time of purchase and move up to three times without significantly affecting their property tax bill. 
• With 256 sunny days per year and winters that rarely have temperatures below 45 degrees, the Berkeley climate is as close to ideal as it gets. Winters are wet and mild, while summers are warm, sunny and known for cool morning breezes. 
• Berkeley is a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities, which means the city is actively working to create a more inclusive environment for seniors. It scores 63 on the AARP livability index, which is well above the 50-point average.

 

 

Berkeley seniors pay an average of $6,319 per month for assisted living. This cost can vary, however, based on the location within the city and the services and amenities offered by the community. 

Berkeley is an expensive city for assisted living, with average monthly costs significantly higher than California's average rate of $5,250 and the national mean of $4,500. In Los Angeles, seniors pay $1,069 less than in Berkeley, while seniors in San Diego spend $844 less per month. Rates in San Jose are $319 lower than in Berkeley. Santa Rosa is the state's most expensive region for assisted living; there, seniors pay an average of $7,048 per month.

Assisted living care averages $6,319 per month in Berkeley. In-home care, which provides a similar level of care but at home, is about $550 more expensive, while home health care, which may include some nursing services, is about $1,125 more expensive. Adult day health care, at $1,950 per month, is a more affordable option. Nursing home care is about $4,700 more expensive per month than assisted living 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.