- Long Beach is a fairly expensive place to live, even compared to California as a whole. The city’s overall cost of living is 60% higher than the national average and about 10% higher than the state average, mainly due to high housing costs. For those with budgetary considerations, assisted living may be more financially viable than maintaining ownership of a house.
- Crime is a little more prevalent in Long Beach than in a typical U.S. city, making residential care an attractive alternative to living alone. On a 100-point crime index that assigns higher values to areas with more crime, Long Beach scores 33.4 for violent crime and 41.2 for property crime. By comparison, the national respective rates are 22.7 and 35.4.
- The air quality in Long Beach is very poor, which may impact the health and comfort of those with heart or lung conditions. The American Lung Association assigns the region the lowest possible scores in the three categories it assesses, including ozone pollution, 24-hour particle pollution and annual particle pollution. Assisted living facilities generally offer indoor and outdoor activities to accommodate the needs and health of residents.
- Long Beach is listed on the AARP Age-Friendly Network, indicating that its officials have taken steps to make the city a safe, comfortable place for residents of all ages. The city scores particularly well for its health care amenities, diverse neighborhoods and transportation options.
- Long Beach’s weather is favorable throughout the year with mild winters and pleasant summers, ranking it among the most comfortable cities in the state. Year-round daytime temperatures range from 66 in the winter to 81 in the warmest part of the summer. Assisted living facilities help residents stay comfortable with measures such as window shades and individual climate control in residents’ apartments.
- California’s income tax rates are among the highest in the country, and while Social Security benefits are exempt, seniors pay taxes on all other types of retirement income. To help seniors apply for deductions and save money, local organizations such as the Area Agency on Aging connect older adults with free tax preparation services.
On average, assisted living facilities in the Long Beach region charge an estimated $5,250 per month for services.
On average, assisted living residents in Long Beach pay $5,250 per month for services, which is $750 higher than the national median of $4,500 but equal to the state rate. In Hanford, residents in assisted living pay well below Long Beach’s median rate, with local care costs averaging $4,350. In Bakersfield, care costs are among the lowest surveyed in the state at $3,750. In San Diego, assisted living rates surpass Long Beach’s average at $5,475, and in Santa Rosa, rates are among the highest in the state at $7,048.
Long Beach
California
United States
San Diego
Bakersfield
Handford
Santa Rosa
In Long Beach, seniors pay an estimated $5,250 per month for assisted living. Residential care is an affordable alternative to in-home care and home health care, which are several hundred dollars higher at $5,911 per month. Assisted living is also a cost-effective alternative to nursing home care, which costs $11,269 for semiprivate accommodations. Adult day health care is the cheapest local care option at $1,652 monthly.
In-Home Care
Home Health Care
Adult Day Health Care
Assisted Living Facility
Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)
Note: Care cost data for Long Beach was not available, so data for the closest city, Los Angeles, was used instead.
Unfortunately, the majority of assisted living communities in Long Beach are private pay only. One notable exception to this is the Assisted Living Waiver program (ALW), which is being tested in various areas of the state, including Los Angeles County. The ALW program is only available to people who have full-scope Medi-Cal eligibility, among other requirements.
Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in California 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:
- 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.