The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Carson, CA for 2023

Carson is home to just over 92,300 people, with nearly 17% aged 65 or older. The city's near-coastal location offers an ideal year-round climate where seniors can soak up the sun in retirement. Older adults may also appreciate the city's quick access to Los Angeles, which offers big-city amenities, beaches and other attractions. 

Older adults in Carson who don’t require extensive nursing care may benefit from the services found in assisted living. These communities offer homelike environments that enhance safety and prevent social isolation. They also have staff who assist with personal care, such as dressing and medication management. Seniors who opt for assisted living pay an average of $5,250 in Carson. While this rate is the same as the state average, it’s more than the national norm of $4,500. 

This guide helps seniors in Carson make informed senior care decisions by highlighting the costs of assisted living in other California cities and other types of senior care available in Carson. It also provides licensing information, some pros and cons of living in Carson and a list of resources for seniors.

The El Segundo Adult & Senior Care Regional Office of the California Department of Social Services Senior Care Licensing Program regulates long-term care communities in Carson. These inspections are part of the program’s licensing and monitoring requirements, which ensure the health and safety of residents within these communities.

• On a 100-point scale, property crime in Carson is rated at 35.8, slightly higher than the national average of 35.4. However, violent crime is substantially lower, with Carson rating 20.6 compared to the national norm of 22.7. Assisted living communities typically have features such as gated entrances and 24/7 surveillance, further enhancing residents’ safety.
• Seniors in Carson have access to six medical centers within 5 miles. These include the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and the nationally ranked MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center. Local seniors also enjoy cost savings on health care, with average medical prices that are 13% less than the national norm.
• Carson joined the AARP Age-Friendly Network in December 2021 and is creating an action plan to help improve seniors' well-being. Currently, Carson has an overall livability score of 47 out of 100, with its highest scores in neighborhood and health initiatives.
• Income taxes in California are high, but the state has nine tax brackets, so seniors with less income pay less. Additionally, Social Security benefits are untaxed. The median property taxes in the state are also among the highest in the country. However, seniors in assisted living likely no longer have property taxes.
• The overall cost of living in Carson nearly mirrors the statewide average, so it’s about 50% higher than the national norm. However, housing costs are a significant factor that may not directly impact seniors in assisted living.
• Being situated on the Southern Coast means seniors in Carson enjoy an abundance of sunny days, about 280 per year. The city's Mediterranean climate zone also translates to mild temperatures. Summer highs typically stay in the mid to high 70 degrees Fahrenheit, while winter temperatures may dip to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Occasional frost might occur overnight, but snow and freezing temperatures rarely happen.

In Carson, assisted living communities average $5,250 per month, but seniors could pay a higher or lower rate depending on their communities’ location, housing options and on-site amenities and services.

Carson has an average assisted living cost comparable to the statewide average of $5,250 per month, but this rate is higher than the national norm by nearly 17%. Many cities inland have lower averages than Carson’s. Bakersfield's average rate is $1,500 less than Carson's and Fresno's is $1,350 lower. However, cities on the Central Coast usually have a higher average cost than Carson. While San Luis Obispo’s average is higher by just $50, Prices in Salinas are higher by $750 per month.

Aging adults should compare their care options to determine which best meets their financial and wellness needs. If they can manage with daytime assistance and supervision outside the home, adult day health care is less than a third of the cost of assisted living at $1,652 per month. On the other hand, seniors wanting to receive care at home pay $5,911 for in-home care or home health care. Meanwhile, those needing round-the-clock personal attention and skilled nursing pay $9,125 for nursing home care, making it the most expensive option.

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.