The 5 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Flagstaff, AZ for 2023

Flagstaff offers scenic views, retiree-friendly tax laws and low violent crime rates, fostering a welcoming environment for older adults. While it has a relatively small senior population, with those aged 65 and over making up less than a tenth of the 77,000 residents, there are numerous supportive resources and high-quality assisted living communities that make Flagstaff a viable option for those seeking long-term care.

For many seniors, assisted living is a convenient option that allows them to maintain their independence and privacy while having access to necessary care and support services. These facilities promote a low-maintenance lifestyle with housekeeping, linen and laundry services, and residents are served three meals daily. They’re staffed with highly trained caregivers who administer services according to individualized care plans, and they offer regular social and recreational activities. On average, seniors in Flagstaff pay $5,000 per month for care, which exceeds the state norm of $4,000 and the national average of $4,500.

Through this guide, readers can learn more about assisted living in Flagstaff, including how much care costs and the state-mandated rules assisted living facilities follow. It also highlights the top resources for seniors and families in Flagstaff. 

The Arizona Department of Health Services licenses assisted living facilities in Flagstaff and throughout the state. It enforces regulations related to staffing, care planning and intake and discharge procedures, and it maintains a list of all licensed assisted living facilities in the state. It also has an online complaint form, which individuals can use to file complaints regarding substandard treatment.

• Seniors in Flagstaff pay state income taxes on withdrawals from retirement savings accounts, money earned from investments and income from private pensions. However, the state doesn’t tax Social Security benefits, and it provides a deduction to minimize the taxes seniors pay on public pensions. This may help some seniors afford local assisted living expenses.
• One hospital, Flagstaff Medical Center, serves the Flagstaff region. This hospital has a level I trauma center, nearly 200 physicians on staff and 270 inpatient beds and provides a comprehensive range of services for seniors. There are 229 physicians per capita practicing in Flagstaff, which is higher than the national norm of 210.
• Compared to the state and nation as a whole, Flagstaff is a relatively expensive place to live. The city rates 118.7 on a cost of living index based on a national norm of 100, meaning local living costs are about 19% higher than the nationwide average. Local housing costs are very high, but assisted living may be an economical alternative to living alone.
• On a 100-point crime index that gives higher ratings to communities with more criminal activity, Flagstaff rates 17.9 for violent crime and 56.9 for property-related offenses. By comparison, the national respective scores are 22.7 and 35.4, indicating that property crime occurs at an above-average rate, but violent crime is relatively rare. Assisted living facilities promote a safe environment through security systems and escorted transportation services.
• Flagstaff is one of the cooler places in Arizona, with temperatures ranging from 14 degrees in the winter to 81 in the summer. There are very few days with noticeable humidity, but the city gets 21 inches of rain and 81 inches of snow per year, about a quarter of which falls in January. Assisted living facilities provide snow removal, offering safety and convenience for older adults.
• The American Lung Association gives Coconino County, where Flagstaff is located, an A for ozone pollution. This indicates that there are very few days per year where ozone pollution reaches unhealthy levels, which may make the city a good option for seniors managing heart or lung conditions.

In Flagstaff, assisted living facilities charge monthly median rates of $5,000.

Assisted living facilities in Flagstaff charge approximately $5,000 per month for care, which is $1,000 higher than the Arizona norm and $500 more than the national median rate. Other Arizona cities offer comparatively competitive pricing, including Lake Havasu City, where seniors pay $4,700 per month for residential care. In Prescott Valley, care costs are $500 lower than in Flagstaff, and rates in Phoenix and Yuma are even lower at $3,975 and $3,800, respectively.

While assisted living rates in Flagstaff are high compared to residential care costs in other cities, this type of care is budget-friendly compared to other local long-term care options. At $5,000 per month, assisted living is considerably more affordable than in-home care and home health care, which both cost $6,673. It’s also an economical alternative to nursing home care, which starts at $8,669 per month for semiprivate accommodations.  

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 Arizona page