The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Tuscaloosa, AL for 2023

Tuscaloosa is a culturally rich city in West Alabama with a pedestrian-friendly downtown district, cultural events and festivals throughout the year and unique museums. Its low cost of living enables many seniors to maintain a comfortable standard of living throughout retirement, and warm temperatures year-round offer opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities and amenities. About 13% of the city’s 100,000 residents are aged 65 and over, promoting access to resources such as the Holt Activity Center and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Tuscaloosa is also home to several assisted living facilities that feature a range of amenities and price points for seniors who need daily assistance. These residential facilities serve daily meals and have on-site features such as fitness centers, libraries and walking paths. They also host curated activities programs to promote socialization and fun, and many are pet friendly. According to the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, Tuscaloosa seniors pay just $3,150 per month for this type of care.

Through this guide, individuals can learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of living in Tuscaloosa and get an overview of some resources for older adults seeking long-term care. The guide also highlights ways to cover assisted living expenses.

The Alabama Department of Public Health licenses assisted living facilities in Tuscaloosa, as well as the rest of the state. It publishes facility rules regarding scope of care, building requirements, staffing and staff training rules and nutrition services, and it enforces guidelines through scheduled and unannounced visits. It also operates a complaint hotline, which individuals can reach at (866) 873-0366.

• Tuscaloosa’s overall cost of living is a little higher than the Alabama average but about 12% lower than the national median, which may make it a financially viable option for older adults with limited assets. Housing costs are low compared to the U.S. average, which may result in more competitive assisted living costs.
• Crime is more prevalent in Tuscaloosa than in the typical U.S. city, although property and violent crime rates have been trending downward in the past two decades. On a 100-point crime index where a higher score indicates more occurrences, the city’s violent crime rates 29.9, and property crime rates 59.7. Assisted living facilities may have security features, such as enclosed courtyards, surveillance cameras and alarm systems, to ensure residents’ safety.
• Tuscaloosa is one of the hottest places to live in Alabama with year-round daytime temperatures ranging from 55-92 degrees. Summers are hot and muggy, but the city gets virtually no snow, which may appeal to older adults who rely on mobility aids.
• DCH Regional Medical Center, a 583-bed major medical facility, is located in Tuscaloosa proper. This hospital features numerous specialty units and advanced services, including cardiology and robotic surgery, and it serves as the region’s most advanced trauma center. This ensures quick access to expert medical care for those in assisted living.
• Tuscaloosa’s air quality is very good, making the city a good option for those with cardiovascular or respiratory illnesses. High-ozone days are very unusual, earning the region a B for ozone pollution from the American Lung Association. Annual and 24-hour particle pollution levels are also very low, and the city is among the cleanest metropolitan areas in the nation for short-term particle pollution.
• Disbursements from retirement savings accounts are fully taxed at the state level, but seniors don’t pay state income taxes on Social Security benefits or public or private pension income. This may help seniors’ retirement income cover their living, medical and long-term care expenses.

In Tuscaloosa, assisted living fees are competitive at $3,150 per month. 

Assisted living facilities in Tuscaloosa charge some of the lowest rates in the state, with seniors paying $3,150 per month on average for services. This is $350 below the state average of $3,503, and it’s over $1,300 lower than the national average of $4,500. Monthly rates in Montgomery are $350 higher than in Tuscaloosa at $3,500, and in Birmingham, fees are even higher at $4,028. In Auburn, rates are well over $1,000 higher than Tuscaloosa’s average at $4,298, and Anniston seniors pay care costs of $4,771, over $1,600 higher than in Tuscaloosa. 

At $3,150 per month, assisted living is among the more cost-effective senior care options in Tuscaloosa. Only adult day health care is cheaper, with rates coming in over $2,000 less than residential care at $867 per month. Seniors who arrange home-based care pay several hundred dollars more, with fees averaging $3,838 for nonmedical home care and $4,113 for home health care. Nursing home care costs about double the rate of assisted living at $6,312 monthly. 

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 Alabama page.