Huntsville is just north of the Tennessee River and home to 207,921 people, 16.4% of whom are 65 and over. This Tennessee River Valley city has mild winters and hot summers, with inspiring views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Seniors can experience music and outdoor dining downtown and enjoy the shopping and entertainment in this vibrant city.
Seniors who could use some help with daily activities but don’t need nursing care can find enjoyment in the carefree environment of an assisted living community. Assisted living gives retirees the privacy of their own room or small apartment and common areas for socializing. It provides meals, activities and housekeeping. The cost of assisted living in Huntsville is reasonable at $3,345 per month compared to many nearby cities, and it’s also well under the national average. Although some assisted living facilities have all-inclusive pricing, residents may pay extra for additional services such as transportation, personal care and medication management.
Read on to learn about the cost of assisted living in Huntsville and the surrounding area. This guide shares some of the benefits and drawbacks of living in the city and lists some of the local free resources for seniors living in Huntsville.
12000 Turnmeyer Drive, Huntsville, AL, 35803
4.3
(29)
"I went to Redstone Village, but they didn't have an opening in the area my father was qualified for. It looked like it would have been a very, very good place for him, but it was way more expensive. They didn't take me to the room because my fathe..."
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2815 Carl T Jones Dr. SE, Huntsville, AL, 35802
4.3
(24)
"Brookdale Jones Farm is a very nice, upscale community. They have two floors, a very elegant dining room, and an area for them to play games. The lady who assisted me was very nice and answered all my questions. They also had a gym and a small lib..."
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4200 Chris Dr. S.W., Huntsville, AL, 35802
4.5
(13)
"We love Country Cottage - Huntsville. It was really awesome. The staff and the facility were excellent. They offer just the basics, the bingo, the trips to the store if needed, and they also offer a doctor onsite. It had a homey feel. It was a sma..."
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8020 Benaroya Lane SW, Huntsville, AL, 35802
4.8
(10)
"SummerHouse Byrd Springs would be my preference for my mom if she can live in assisted living. The staff was friendly. The place was clean and very up-to-date. There's the availability of activities. Just overall a very homey feel. We did not try ..."
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4801 Whitesport Circle SW, Huntsville, AL, 35801
4.3
(14)
"We toured HarborChase of Huntsville. It was the only place that offered respite care. It was something we were considering for my dad. Overall, the staff members were very welcoming and they were outstanding. It was probably the best place that I ..."
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2940 Mill Run Road SE, Huntsville, AL, 35763
5.0
(1)
"Residences at Wellpoint were very nice. It was a much newer place. The appearance of the residence was extremely good, both inside and out. They had an indoor pool. It was a heated pool, saltwater pool. I think they had a larger variety of rooms, ..."
READ MORECaring's Family Advisors are here to help you with questions about senior living and care options.
2238 Cecil Ashburn Dr. SE, Huntsville, AL, 35802
3.1
(9)
"I went to Thrive at Jones Farm. Very good tour. The lady who toured me around was extremely nice, and very knowledgeable, and helped me think through the questions that are important and guide my thinking about what's important. I did meet a coupl..."
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2004 Max Luther Dr., Huntsville, AL, 35810
4.2
(32)
"Regency Retirement Village - Huntsville was very nice. The people were very nice too, and they had lots of activities. They had games, outings, concerts, movies, and a lot of things to interest the residents. They were willing to work with us, and..."
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4670 Bellewood Dr SE, Huntsville, AL, 35802
4.3
(9)
"In less than two years, we get a notice that rent will increase $6000 per year. This is ridiculous. The food was good at first but now its awful."
READ MORE4411 McAllister Dr SW, Huntsville, AL, 35805
"At Diversicare we recognize that each individual is unique. Through individualized care planning, we strive to help every person continue to..."
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49 Hughes Road, Madison, AL, 35758
3.5
(4)
"I thought it was small but very nice. The staff was very helpful and answered all our questions. The rooms were very nice. They had a game room, an eating area, and a piano. I would recommend them to others because I thought they were more family ..."
READ MOREThe Alabama Public Health Department licenses all assisted living facilities in the state. The department conducts regular inspections, and each facility has to renew its license yearly. The department also ensures that each assisted living community adheres to the standards and practices required by Alabama law.
Huntsville’s assisted living costs are $3,345 per month. This price may vary due to location, services and amenities.
Huntsville assisted living price is less than the state and national averages, at $3,503 and $4,500, respectively. The city has a moderate average monthly cost for assisted living compared to nearby cities. Montgomery has a slightly higher average monthly price for assisted living ($3,500), almost identical to the average for the state. Birmingham’s assisted living costs are a bit higher ($4,028), comparable to Chattanooga, TN ($4,220) and Marietta, GA ($3,845).
Huntsville
$3,345
Alabama
$3,503
The United States
$4,500
Montgomery
$3,500
Birmingham
$4,028
Chattanooga, TN
$4,220
Marietta, GA
$3,845
Huntsville has other long-term care options, including in-home care and home health care at $4,004 per month each. Seniors who prefer to remain at home may choose this type of care. A nursing home facility provides health services in addition to meals and personal care. It’s the most expensive option, with a cost of $6,844 for a semiprivate room. The most affordable option is adult day health care, at $1,138 per month. However, for around-the-clock assistance, assisted living is the most economical option.
In-Home Care
$4,004
Home Health Care
$4,004
Adult Day Health Care
$1,138
Assisted Living Facility
$3,345
Nursing Home (semiprivate room)
$6,844
The state of Alabama doesn’t provide public funding for seniors in assisted living facilities or specialty care assisted living facilities through either Medicaid programs or other government-funded programs. Seniors are only eligible for Alabama’s Institutional Medicaid program once they’ve reached a nursing level of care.
Seniors may be eligible for an optional supplement when residing in specified living arrangements, but those who reside in assisted living facilities are not eligible for this supplement.
Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Alabama page.
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:
For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Alabama page.
There are many government and volunteer agencies that help seniors who are new to Huntsville. They can help with practical matters, such as Medicare issues, and some provide educational and recreational activities for seniors.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Top of Alabama Area Agency on Aging | (800) 243-5463 | The Alabama Department of Senior Services directs the Top of Alabama Area Agency on Aging (AAA). The agency's goal is to offer residents aged 60 and over a centralized location for assistance. The AAA acts as a case manager for seniors who need services and advocates for their rights. Seniors can receive counseling, health care recommendations and referrals for long-term care. |
| Alabama Department of Senior Services | (800) 243-5463 | The Alabama Department of Senior Services works with the Area Agencies on Aging to provide services for seniors and disabled residents. Resources for seniors include crisis support, transportation and advocacy. The department also provides Medicare and Medicaid counseling and prescription drug assistance. |
| Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program | (256) 539-2275 | The Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program can help low-income seniors free of charge. It assists with basic estate planning, powers of attorney and advanced medical directives. |
| Huntsville-Madison County Senior Center | (256) 880-7080 | The local senior center is a hub of activity for seniors, with monthly movie days, support groups of all kinds and many social activities for members. The center's goal is to support senior independence and involvement in the community, and there are 39 satellite locations throughout the county. |
| City of Huntsville Transit Service | (256) 427-6811 | One-way fares for the City of Huntsville bus route are half-price (50 cents) for seniors 65 and over. Seniors who don’t live near a bus route can also take advantage of the Access program. For $2 each way, an ADA accessible vehicle will pick up a senior and one caregiver for transportation. |
Huntsville Assisted Living Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Assisted Living Facilities in AL are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Alabama page for more information about these laws.
