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The Best Assisted Living Communities in Orange County, CA

Orange County sits along Southern California's coast. Across the county, seniors have access to assisted living facilities to support their needs as they age. The typical cost for these communities in Orange County sits at about $5,748 per month as of 2024. When compared to the state median of $6,250, the area presents itself as an affordable option, though prices exceed the national standard cost of $5,350.

Below, you'll find a collection of 1862 reviews reviews of assisted living communities in Orange County, which receive an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars stars.

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Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Orange County

  • Orange County’s cost of living runs about 10% higher than the California norm and 65% higher than living costs nationwide. While this may require seniors to budget more money for local assisted living expenses, many facilities provide flexible payment options and accept Medicaid.
  • California’s income tax laws provide full exemptions for Social Security retirement benefits. Although the state fully taxes all other types of retirement income, seniors can claim the senior income tax exemption in addition to the personal exemption, reducing the tax burden for assisted living residents in Orange County.
  • Orange County ranks among the healthiest communities in the nation, outpacing both state and national norms in health factors and outcomes. High flu vaccination rates, access to primary care providers and the low rate of preventable hospitalizations contribute to a favorable environment for assisted living.
  • Orange County ranks in the top half of U.S. counties for favorability for seniors, scoring 55 on the AARP Livability Index compared to the national norm of 48. The county ranks strongest in the Health and Neighborhood metrics for factors such as access to exercise opportunities and area amenities.
  • Orange County contains nine major hospitals and over 3,200 licensed beds, supporting seniors’ medical needs. The most notable hospitals include UC Irvine Medical Center and Providence Mission Hospital, which have specialties in trauma, cardiovascular care, neurosciences and cancer care.

How to Pay for Assisted Living in Orange County:

Orange County seniors have several options for paying for assisted living, letting them develop the right strategy for their needs and financial situation. Personal savings, long-term care insurance, veterans’ benefits and Medicaid programs support access to assisted living services.

 

  • Medicaid: California Medicaid’s Assisted Living Waiver provides benefits in Orange County, reducing care costs for qualified seniors. Some services this program covers include personal care services, transportation, meals and case management.
  • Medicare: Medicare Part B pays for medically necessary services that assisted living residents receive from third-party providers, including medication administration, skilled nursing and rehabilitative therapies. However, this health insurance doesn’t apply to standard assisted living fees.
  • VA Benefits: Orange County veterans in assisted living may use VA benefits to cover personal care services, meals and transportation costs. Programs that provide coverage include the Geriatrics and Extended Care program, Housebound benefits and Aid and Attendance.
  • Private payments: Many seniors rely on private payments to cover funding gaps and pay for recreational activities, housing, meals and personal care. Common sources for these payments include monthly income, retirement savings, long-term care insurance and money earned from selling or renting out a home.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

As shown in Genworth's 2024 Cost of Care Survey, assisted living facilities across Orange County typically charge $5,748 per month. Costs in nearby Riverside fall by approximately $400. Bakersfield presents another affordable alternative at $4,595. However, Orange County proves more affordable than Fresno, where rates increase by about $1,000. San Diego also sees much higher assisted living costs, with typical monthly rates settling around $1,500 higher at $7,250.

Orange County

$5,748

California

$6,250

United States

$5,350

San Diego

$7,250

Riverside

$5,324

Bakersfield

$4,595

Fresno

$6,750

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Seniors who prefer the option of aging in place can contract in-home care or home health care services for $6,673 per month, which is $925 more than assisted living. Adult day care stands as a viable choice for those with minimal care needs, and it costs the least of all senior care types at $1,690. Alternatively, those with extensive needs may benefit from nursing care — the most expensive choice at $10,646.

In-Home Care

$6,673

Home Health Care

$6,673

Adult Day Health Care

$1,690

Assisted Living Facility

$5,748

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$10,646

Note: Since data for Orange County is unavailable, we used data from the nearest city, Los Angeles, instead.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Orange County

California’s Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, offers financial assistance to help impoverished seniors cover the cost of assisted living. Those who are eligible may be able to take part in the state’s Assisted Living Waiver Program (ALWP).

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in California page.

Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in Orange County, CA:

Orange County is home to numerous nonprofit programs and services to help older adults understand their long-term care options and identify ways to pay for services. Through the following resources, seniors can connect with social and recreational programming, legal and financial planning assistance, and health insurance options counseling.  

Program NamePhone NumberDescription
OC Office on Aging714-480-6450The Office on Aging operates an information and assistance helpline and an online resources directory for seniors. It administers the OC Senior Nutrition Program, which offers food assistance to income-qualified seniors.
OC Veterans Service Office714-480-6555The county’s VSO helps veterans identify benefits they qualify for and apply for programs such as Aid and Attendance. It has information specialists who connect veterans to local resources such as transportation and financial assistance.
Orange Senior Center714-538-9633Those aged 50 and over participate in fitness, social and recreational activities at the senior center. The center also provides routine health screenings, daily congregate lunches and volunteer opportunities.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program800-300-6222The ombudsman advocates for assisted living residents’ rights, and they field and investigate complaints regarding care planning, nutrition services and environmental standards. They also help with the transition into or out of a facility and represent residents’ interests in involuntary move-out orders.
Community Legal Aid SoCal800-834-5001This nonprofit organization houses the Seniors Unit, which provides free civil legal services to Orange County residents aged 60 and over. Some areas it assists with include applying for public benefits, resolving consumer debt problems and assigning powers of attorney.
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program714-560-0424HICAP counselors provide unbiased information on health insurance programs such as Medicaid, Medicare and Medicare Advantage. They also assist with appealing denied health insurance claims and canceled policies.
Aging & Disability Resource Connection714-480-6450The ADRC helps seniors in Orange County find long-term services and care options. Its Person-Centered Option Counseling program includes one-on-one interviews, practical advice on long-term care solutions, a tailored action plan and follow-up.
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program714-953-5757RSVP provides exclusive volunteer opportunities for seniors in local nonprofit organizations, letting seniors donate up to 40 hours of their time each week to local schools, parks and libraries. Benefits include supplemental liability insurance and invitations to recognition events.
Social Security Administration800-772-1213 800-325-0778 (TTY)The Social Security Administration operates six field offices throughout Orange County. At these locations, seniors get assistance with filing for Medicare and Social Security retirement benefits.
Meals on Wheels Orange County714-823-3294The local Meals on Wheels program delivers three meals each weekday to housebound seniors, and it operates the Lunch Cafe program in two dozen local senior centers. It also has case managers who provide personalized support and guidance.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Orange County

Orange County-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in California are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in California page for more information about these laws.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Assisted Living in Orange County:

Reviews of Communities Nearby

Assisted Living

Andrea

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

Review of Atria Newport Beach

The rooms are very nice. The staff is wonderful. It’s a lovely place to be. The food is good, and the special holiday events, extra wonderful.

Read more

Assisted Living

Elsa6

I visited this facility

Review of Brookdale Anaheim

I toured Brookdale Anaheim. I like that it's close to our current place where I'm living. I like the property, people, and staff I met. The person who took me on the tour was kind and nice. They're...

Read more

Assisted Living

Vanessa

I visited this facility

Review of Crescendo Senior Living of Placentia

We toured Crescendo Senior Living of Placentia. It was nice to see people out and about, sharing and communicating, and talking in the passing of time. They get fed a few times a day, and they have...

Read more

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Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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