Assisted Living Communities in Mesa, AZ

Referencing Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey 2024, the typical assisted living expense stands at $5,500 per month in Mesa, identical to the state median. Sierra Vista’s typical fee sits just $100 above Mesa’s costs. Seniors seeking more budget-friendly locations may consider Tucson, where estimated charges undercut Mesa’s by $925. However, the median price increases to $6,450 in Prescott, representing a hike of almost $1,000.   

To make long-term care accessible, assisted living facilities in Mesa often accept multiple forms of payment. Seniors in these communities may leverage public benefits, such as Medicaid and Medicare, to manage their expenses, and many rely on private funds to cover monthly fees. By understanding the payment options available, seniors can effectively budget for long-term care.

• Medicaid: Arizona Medicaid features the Arizona Long Term Care System, which pays for long-term care services for seniors who meet financial and functional criteria. Some benefits of this program include personal care, housekeeping services and nonemergency medical transportation.
• Medicare: The federal health insurance program pays for a portion of the costs of specialized equipment and services assisted living residents receive. This may include durable medical equipment, skilled nursing and physical or occupational therapies, helping them reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
• VA Benefits: According to our proprietary Caring.com database, over 50 local assisted living centers accept veterans’ benefits. This includes the Geriatrics and Extended Care program, Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance, which help cover expenses related to personal care services, housing and meals.
• Private payments: Social Security and pension income, retirement savings and long-term care insurance provide necessary funds for covering care costs. Facilities accept private payments for all expenses, including those related to housing, meals, recreation and personal care.

In Mesa, varying senior care options cater to differing needs and financial situations. Assisted living is the most affordable choice, costing around $697 less than nonmedical in-home care and $1,555 less than home health care. Semi-private accommodations in a nursing home attracts a baseline rate of $7,984, while the priciest option — adult day health care — costs approximately $3,167 more than assisted living.  

• With a cost of living that outpaces the national norm by nearly 8%, Mesa ranks among the more expensive places in the United States for retirement. Fortunately, qualified seniors can use the statewide ALTCS program to manage their long-term care costs.
• While Arizona taxes most forms of retirement income, it provides a $2,500 exemption for federal, state and local pension income. It also fully exempts Social Security benefits from taxation, leaving more money available for assisted living.
• Mesa experiences warm weather throughout the year, appealing to retirees sensitive to cold conditions. To promote residents’ comfort in the summer months, when temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, many assisted living facilities have swimming pools, individual climate controls and complimentary window treatments in residents’ units.
• The AARP Livability Index sets Mesa’s livability score at 48. This score aligns with the national norm and reflects the city’s senior-friendly housing design laws, diverse neighborhood amenities and low preventable hospitalization rate.
• Annually, Mesa reports around 21 crimes per 1,000 people, or roughly 79 crimes per square mile. While this puts the city in the bottom fifth of U.S. communities for safety, neighborhoods such as Lehi and Eastmark offer comparatively safe environments, giving prospective assisted living residents peace of mind.