10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Peoria for 2023

Peoria, located about halfway between Chicago and St. Louis in Central Illinois, was recently named among the 50 best places to retire in the United States. The small city of nearly 110,420 people is known for its vibrant RiverFront District, where seniors can discover unique boutiques, restaurants and attractions. Peoria’s low cost of living, coupled with Illinois’ retiree-friendly tax policies, makes the city a great choice for seniors who want to make their savings last.

Assisted living is a long-term care option for seniors who want to maintain their independence but need some help with their daily activities, such as grooming or managing medications. Seniors in Peoria pay an average of $3,800 per month for assisted living — the lowest cost in the state.

This guide discusses assisted living in Peoria, Illinois. Seniors and their loved ones will learn about the benefits and drawbacks of retiring in Peoria, typical assisted living costs and free resources for assisted living residents.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) oversees assisted living facilities in Peoria. Licensed facilities must meet the standards outlined in the Illinois Administrative Code. The IDPH conducts an unannounced inspection of each facility at least once per year. 

• Retiring in Peoria comes with some tax advantages. Illinois doesn’t tax Social Security benefits, and it also doesn’t tax income from most retirement plans, including 401(k)s and IRAs. For seniors with taxable retirement income, the state applies a flat tax of 4.95%.
• Peoria is a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, indicating its elected officials are committed to making the city more senior-friendly. The city’s action plan includes revitalizing neighborhoods, improving public transit and inviting input from older residents.
• Seniors can look forward to an affordable retirement in Peoria. Overall, the city’s cost of living is about 20% lower than the Illinois average and about 25% lower than the national norm. While low housing costs are a major factor, seniors may pay below-average prices for everything from transportation to groceries.
• In the event of injury or illness, the Peoria area is home to a number of healthcare facilities, including some that are well-rated by U.S. News and World Report. Peoria’s OSF Healthcare St. Francis Medical Center is ranked 13th-best hospital in the state; it’s rated high performing in 10 procedures and conditions, including heart attack, stroke and hip replacement. UnityPoint Health-Peoria is also a high-performing hospital.
• Greater Peoria Mass Transit (CityLink) operates 23 bus routes throughout the region. These routes can help seniors access many important destinations, including grocery stores, shopping centers and the Peoria Public Library. With proof of age, riders who are 65 and older pay half-price fares. All buses are wheelchair accessible.
• Peoria experiences four distinct seasons every year, which lets seniors pursue varied outdoor activities. Wintertime highs hover around the freezing mark, and the city sees nearly two feet of snow per year. Springtime in Peoria tends to be mild and wet, and when summer arrives, average daytime highs reach into the 80s. Autumn weather tends to be mild with few rainy days.

Peoria’s assisted living prices are relatively affordable at $3,800 per month, Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey revealed. This is nearly 17% lower than the statewide average cost of $4,575 per month and about 11% below the U.S. average of $4,300. 

Peoria boasts the lowest average monthly assisted living costs in Central Illinois. In the Champaign Area, seniors pay $4,163 per month, while in Decatur, the average cost is $4,269. Costs are even higher in Springfield and Bloomington, where seniors pay $4,860 and $4,968 per month, respectively.

Assisted living isn’t the only senior care option in Peoria. Seniors may choose to receive care in their own homes, though at $4,385 per month, homemaker services and home health aides are pricier than assisted living. For those who need weekday-only care, adult day health care comes in at $1,760 per month. The 24/7 skilled care provided by nursing homes starts at $6,737 per month for a semiprivate room and $7,604 for a private room.

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 Illinois page.