The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in New Haven, CT for 2023
New Haven is a coastal city on the northern shore of Long Island Sound in New Haven County. For seniors who like to remain active, New Haven is considered one of the most walkable city centers, and U.S. News ranked it #60 on its list of 150 Best Places to Retire. USA Today also states that Connecticut’s senior population is among the healthiest in the nation and ranks the state’s life expectancy of 85.4 years as the fourth highest nationwide. Over 134,000 people call New Haven home, including more than 13,800 seniors aged 65 or older.
Assisted living communities offer a safe, homelike environment for aging adults who need personalized supportive care but want to retain as much of their independence as possible. The average monthly cost of assisted living in New Haven is $6,445, which is slightly higher than the state average and significantly higher than the national average.
This guide provides information about assisted living in New Haven, including the costs of other senior care options and cost comparisons of assisted living in other Connecticut cities. It also provides several benefits and drawbacks of retiring in New Haven and a list of free senior resources.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in New Haven, Connecticut
33 Results

Just Like Home's Dogwood Home
62 Dogwood Drive, Shelton, CT, 06484
5.0
(16 reviews)
"Dogwood Home is an extraordinary place. It is pretty much a template for what a care home for the elderly should be. One key factor in its remarkable success is that it is small - only six residents. These residents are not in an institution, th..."
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The Village at Mariner's Point
111 South Shore Dr, East Haven, CT, 06512
4.3
(24 reviews)
"We toured The Village at Mariner's Point for my sister-in-law, and it was a lovely facility. They had tablecloths and cloth napkins for lunch. We talked to a couple of ladies that have lived there for eight years, they live in different parts of t..."
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Middlebrook Farms at Trumbull
2750 Reservoir Ave, Trumbull, CT, 06611
4.2
(24 reviews)
"Middlebrook Farms at Trumbull had a good appearance. It's well-maintained. The apartment was a good size and well maintained, too. The staff was knowledgeable and very professional. The dining area was clean. They have the normal clubs and there's..."
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Atria Larson Place
1450 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT, 06517
4.1
(25 reviews)
"We like the fact that Atria Larson Place is very convenient for people who have mobility issues. We appreciate the fact that there are plenty of activities to keep them active and to not necessarily feel like it is just somewhere you go when you'r..."
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Carriage Green at Milford
77 Plains Road, Milford, CT, 06461
4.5
(20 reviews)
"I toured Carriage Green at Milford. The tour was fine. I thought it was really excellent. They have everything you ever need. The staff showed me three different rooms. The two 1-bedrooms were perfect. I wasn't interested in the studios, but the..."
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Benchmark at Split Rock
708A Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton, CT, 06484
4.5
(17 reviews)
"Benchmark Senior Living at Split Rock is pretty much brand new, so the interior is beautiful. The staff was wonderful too, and it's a perfect location for us. They have the best location. They had really pretty porches outside at the back. The kit..."
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The Hearth at Gardenside
173 Alps Road, Branford, CT, 06405
4.3
(19 reviews)
"The Hearth at Gardenside is assisted living. They provide three meals a day in the dining room. The rooms didn't have full kitchens. There was just a small refrigerator, a microwave, and a sink. Overall, the rooms were small. The staff described w..."
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Benchmark Senior Living at Hamden
35 Hamden Hills Drive, Hamden, CT, 06518
4.6
(11 reviews)
"My mother has been in Benchmark Senior Living at Hamden for 9 days now. We chose it for her because she can be on her own there and still have lots of help and 24-hour care. It's very easily accessible for wheelchairs and walkers. There are lots ..."
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Maplewood at Orange
245 Indian River Road, Orange, CT, 06477
4.6
(11 reviews)
"Everyone is very kind. They know your name and what you need to help you out. The room is great. The interactions and activities are too. The meals are very good. "
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Spring Village at Stratford
6911 Main Street, Stratford, CT, 06614
4.5
(11 reviews)
"I chose Spring Village at Stratford for my aunt because of the price and the quality of service. They have a lot of staff, and they all care. They all speak and read English and they are all credentialed and know what they're doing. My aunt loves ..."
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Just Like Home's Long Hill Home
757 Long Hill Ave, Shelton, CT, 06907
5.0
(4 reviews)
"Beautiful brand new ranch-style home in a lovely Shelton neighborhood for just six seniors. We are all about bringing joy to our seniors wit..."
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Coachman Square at Woodbridge
21 Bradley Road, Woodbridge, CT, 06525
4.4
(8 reviews)
"Coachman Square at Woodbridge was bright and sunny. Everyone was very nice. The rooms were sufficient in size as well as the bathrooms. They had a little ice cream parlor and a place where they could get popcorn, in addition to regular dining. It ..."
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Evergreen Woods
88 Notch Hill Road, North Branford, CT, 06471
5.0
(17 reviews)
"North Branford’s Premier Retirement Community Experience luxury senior living at Evergreen Woods of North Branford, Connecticut. Membe..."
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Masonicare at Ashlar Village
74 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford, CT, 06492
4.8
(12 reviews)
"We like Masonicare at Ashlar Village. My father stayed there for two weeks. It's very organized and very clean. The people are wonderful. Everybody comes up to you and introduces themselves. The nurses and the director knew exactly what was going ..."
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Linden at Woodbridge
330 Amity Road, Woodbridge, CT, 06525
4.0
(16 reviews)
"Linden at Woodbridge is very nice and they're in the process of renovations. The people who showed us around were very nice, too. We interviewed with the nurse and she was very helpful. The people had taken a lot of time with me toward the visit t..."
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Wesley Heights at Wesley Village
580 Long Hill Avenue, Shelton, CT, 06484
4.6
(9 reviews)
"Wesley Heights at Wesley Village was very nice and very clean. The staff was excellent. The rooms were very clean, it was excellent living. You'd have to bring your own furniture, but it was very well kept. We saw their menus, and they had quite s..."
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Marbridge Retirement Center
665 West Main Street, Cheshire, CT, 06410
4.8
(5 reviews)
"My husband stayed at Marbridge Retirement Center. It was upscale. The building was fabulous. The staff was fabulous. I can't speak highly enough. I wish my husband could stay there, but he has two diseases and it didn't work for us. If you're luck..."
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Crosby Commons at Wesley Village
580 Long Hill Avenue, Shelton, CT, 06484
5.0
(1 reviews)
"The staff at Crosby Commons at Wesley Village is excellent. The food is also excellent, and the people are very caring. I have nothing but the best to say about them. My mother-in-law has been there for years. She has participated in a lot of the ..."
READ MOREWhat to Consider About Assisted Living in New Haven
Connecticut doesn’t license assisted living facilities. It licenses and regulates the assisted living service agencies that provide assisted living services at these facilities. The Department of Public Health, Facility Licensing and Investigations Section monitors, regulates, licenses and investigates over 1,900 licensed facilities, including assisted living service agencies in New Haven and throughout the state.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in New Haven
- Seniors in New Haven collecting retirement benefits may feel the sting from unfriendly state income taxes. Social Security income is only fully exempt for individuals with $75,000 or couples with $100,000 or less in federal AGI. However, seniors can deduct 75% of federally taxed Social Security benefits on their state tax returns. In 2021, only 42% of income from pensions and annuities was tax-exempt for individuals with $75,000 or couples with $100,000 in federal AGI. However, this exemption percentage increases 14% annually until it reaches 100% in 2025.
- Connecticut’s sales tax rate is 6.35%, and it doesn’t allow counties or cities to add to it. This rate is only lower than about 40% of other states. However, seniors in New Haven benefit from tax-exempt necessities, including groceries, prescription and nonprescription drugs and clothing costing less than $50.
- New Haven has four distinct seasons and frequent weather changes due to its proximity to the water. Summers are warm, and winters are cool, with occasional frigidity. The July high is around 83 degrees, giving New Haven a summer comfort index of 9 out of 10. It boasts four comfortable months with temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees, but it also averages 113 days with nighttime lows below freezing and six months with significant snowfall.
- The cost of living in New Haven is about 2% higher than the national average, but it’s more than 5% lower than the state average. Housing costs are around 25% less than the national average, but health care costs are about equal.
- New Haven seniors benefit from having a local hospital that’s ranked number one in the state. Yale New Haven Hospital is nationally ranked in eight adult specialties, including ranking 21st out of 4,523 hospitals in geriatrics. It’s also rated high performing in three adult specialties, including orthopedics, and 12 procedures or conditions, including heart attack, heart failure, heart bypass surgery, stroke and knee replacement, among others.
Paying for Assisted Living in New Haven
According to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of assisted living in New Haven is $6,445. While this is only $145 per month higher than the state average, it’s $2,145 above the national median.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities
New Haven’s higher-than-average monthly cost also makes it higher than many other cities throughout the state, but not all of them. Its cost per month is higher than Norwich’s cost by $745 and Hartford’s by $692 per month, but it’s lower than Bridgeport’s by $1,393.
New Haven
$6,445
Connecticut
$6,300
The United States
$4,300
Norwich
$5,700
Hartford
$5,753
Bridgeport
$7,838
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Seniors may also want to compare the costs of other types of senior care. Adult day health care is the least expensive at $1,110 but offers very limited levels of non-residential care. In Connecticut, seniors can get at-home care at a lower cost than assisted living. Homemaker services average $4,767 per month, and home health aides cost an average of $4,948. Nursing home facilities offer the highest level of residential care but can cost double the amount of assisted living. Semiprivate rooms average $12,395 while private rooms average $13,357 monthly.
Homemaker Services
$4,767
Home Health Aide
$4,948
Adult Day Health Care
$1,110
Assisted Living Facility
$6,445
Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)
$12,395
Nursing Home Facility (private room)
$13,357
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in New Haven
Any resident that qualifies for Medicaid can use the program to pay for assisted living facilities. Low-income individuals who prefer to live in an ALF rather than a nursing home may also receive help through the Assisted Living Waiver Program.
Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Connecticut page.

More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living
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 Connecticut page.
Free Assisted Living Resources in New Haven
Seniors in New Haven have several local, regional and statewide resources that offer free programs and services specifically for older adults. Each of these resources offers various ways to help seniors remain safe, healthy, active and engaged.
Resource | Contact | Service |
---|---|---|
City of New Haven Elderly Services | (203) 946-8550 | The Department of Elderly Services assists seniors aged 55 or older by providing case management and referral services to help with medical, legal, nutritional, financial and housing needs. It strives to help seniors remain active and retain their independence and provides a variety of fun, annual events. |
Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut | (203) 785-8533 | The AOASCC is an independent nonprofit organization that serves seniors aged 60 or older and individuals with disabilities in greater New Haven. It provides opportunities for staying healthy and active through exercise, health classes and social involvement, and it offers advocacy and services to help clients remain as independent and engaged as possible. AOASCC also offers volunteer opportunities and partners with other nonprofits to provide an array of other services. |
Interfaith Volunteer Care Givers of Greater New Haven | (203) 230-8994 | IVCG is a nonprofit that serves seniors aged 60 or older in the greater New Haven area. It provides free rides to medical appointments, regardless of income, including appointments for outpatient procedures, dental visits, same-day surgeries, therapy and counseling. Rides are provided Monday through Friday by volunteers. It also provides free adult incontinence products and lends gently used durable medical equipment to seniors in need. |
Connecticut Long Term Care Ombudsman Program South Central Region | (860) 823-3366 | The Connecticut LTCOP ensures assisted living facility residents understand their rights and operates Inclusive Communities Work Groups to address bullying, education and outreach. Volunteer advocates and ombudsmen support LTC residents by helping them work with nursing home staff for changes to improve their quality of life, and they strive to help residents and staff communicate better with each other. |
Senior Centers | (203) 946-8558 (203) 946-8541 (203) 946-8544 | The City of New Haven operates three senior centers, including the Atwater Senior Center, Dixwell/Newhallville Senior Center and East Shore Senior Center. Each facility offers a range of programs to help seniors stay active and social. Each site also provides congregate meals, health screenings and volunteer opportunities. |
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in New Haven
New Haven-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Connecticut are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Connecticut page for more information about these laws.
