Placed less than 6 miles away from Cedar Rapids, Marion is one of the fastest growing cities in the state. The city is ideal for retirees looking for a safe community that’s dedicated to improving the lives of older residents. Over 40,000 people call Marion home, out of whom 16.6% are seniors aged 65 and older. The city’s attractions cater to an array of interests. Nature enthusiasts may enjoy the walking trails of Indian Creek Nature Center, while history buffs can explore The Granger House Victorian Museum.

Assisted living facilities provide residential care for seniors who need some help with daily living tasks but want to maintain as much independence as possible. Seniors in these communities received tailored care plans based on their long-term goals and needs. Facilities often include services and amenities such as meals, housekeeping and transportation to medical appointments. Seniors in Marion can expect to pay, on average, $4,450 per month for assisted living, which is more than the state median. 

This guide offers an induction on issues to consider about Marion and compares the city’s average prices for assisted living with other areas in Iowa. We’ve also put together a list of helpful resources and services.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Marion, IA

Bickford of Marion

Bickford of Marion is located in Marion, Iowa, near major highways, restaurants and the East End Shopping Center. Residents and their loved ones give high marks to this community for its spacious apar … (read more)
Bickford of Marion is located in Marion, Iowa, near major highways, restaurants and the East End Shopping Center. Residents and their loved ones give high marks to this community for its spacious apar … (read more)

2016

The Villages at Marion

The Villages at Marion is situated against a backdrop of trees and greenery at the edge of Thomas Park in Marion, Iowa, next to the Legion Disc Golf Course. Seniors compliment this community’s well-ma … (read more)
The Villages at Marion is situated against a backdrop of trees and greenery at the edge of Thomas Park in Marion, Iowa, next to the Legion Disc Golf Course. Seniors compliment this community’s well-ma … (read more)

Summit Pointe

Summit Pointe is located in the northeastern Cedar Rapids suburb of Marion, Iowa, just north of Butterfield Park. Residents and visitors describe the grounds as beautiful, especially in the summer whe … (read more)
Summit Pointe is located in the northeastern Cedar Rapids suburb of Marion, Iowa, just north of Butterfield Park. Residents and visitors describe the grounds as beautiful, especially in the summer whe … (read more)

Terrace Glen Village

My sisters and my Dad have been taking turns with Mom in her room for B/L/D as she needs a bit of support. Currently, she can eat some things on her own, but still needs assistance. She suffers from … (read more)
My sisters and my Dad have been taking turns with Mom in her room for B/L/D as she needs a bit of support. Currently, she can eat some things on her own, but still needs assistance. She suffers from … (read more)

2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023

Keystone Cedars

Keystone Cedars is located on a peaceful street in Cedar Rapids where visitors are sure to find themselves at home. The facility offers a variety of exciting activities such as arts and crafts, games … (read more)
Keystone Cedars is located on a peaceful street in Cedar Rapids where visitors are sure to find themselves at home. The facility offers a variety of exciting activities such as arts and crafts, games … (read more)
Get Pricing See Details
2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023

Cottage Grove Place

Cottage Grove Place is located in the southeastern section of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It sits near three bus stations, providing residents with easy access to Cedar Rapids and Marion, as well as the Bever … (read more)
Cottage Grove Place is located in the southeastern section of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It sits near three bus stations, providing residents with easy access to Cedar Rapids and Marion, as well as the Bever … (read more)

2022

Garnett Place Retirement Community

Located on the outskirts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Garnett Place Retirement Community provides assisted living care in a loving and compassionate way. Family members appreciate that their loved ones are … (read more)
Located on the outskirts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Garnett Place Retirement Community provides assisted living care in a loving and compassionate way. Family members appreciate that their loved ones are … (read more)

The Views Senior Living of Cedar Rapids

It is a very nice place. I’ve been very happy with the staff there, really. They are just very friendly people. I have not tried the food because of COVID, but my mom is kind of picky and she only eat … (read more)
It is a very nice place. I’ve been very happy with the staff there, really. They are just very friendly people. I have not tried the food because of COVID, but my mom is kind of picky and she only eat … (read more)

Corridor Crossing Place

Corridor Crossings Place is located in a residential neighborhood of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, just blocks from Interstate 380 and minutes from area restaurants. Visitors appreciate the facility’s cleanline … (read more)
Corridor Crossings Place is located in a residential neighborhood of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, just blocks from Interstate 380 and minutes from area restaurants. Visitors appreciate the facility’s cleanline … (read more)

Prairie Hills at Cedar Rapids

Prairie Hills at Cedar Rapids is an assisted living and memory care facility located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The community is a short drive away from Mercy Medical Center and Lindale shopping mall. The … (read more)
Prairie Hills at Cedar Rapids is an assisted living and memory care facility located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The community is a short drive away from Mercy Medical Center and Lindale shopping mall. The … (read more)

Emery Place Assisted Living & Memory Care

Located close to the restaurants, stores and amenities of Robins, Iowa, Emery Place & Memory Care is also within easy reach of I-380. Relatives praise the grounds, the convenient location and the … (read more)
Located close to the restaurants, stores and amenities of Robins, Iowa, Emery Place & Memory Care is also within easy reach of I-380. Relatives praise the grounds, the convenient location and the … (read more)

The Views of Cedar Rapids – RidgeView Assisted Living

Mom is at The Views of Cedar Rapids-RidgeView Assisted Living. Everything’s well kept, clean, and put away. When you first walk in, you’ll see the dining room which is always very clean. All the chair … (read more)
Mom is at The Views of Cedar Rapids-RidgeView Assisted Living. Everything’s well kept, clean, and put away. When you first walk in, you’ll see the dining room which is always very clean. All the chair … (read more)

Evergreen Estates III

Evergreen Estates III is tucked away on a cozy street in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, just moments from Apache Park, Weland Clinical Laboratories, Christ Church Presbyterian and First Church of the Open Bible. … (read more)
Evergreen Estates III is tucked away on a cozy street in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, just moments from Apache Park, Weland Clinical Laboratories, Christ Church Presbyterian and First Church of the Open Bible. … (read more)

Meth-Wick Community

I liked many things about Meth Wick Health Center. I was born and raised in that neighborhood as a child. It also had many people from the Church that I served, and it was a full care. It was near to … (read more)
I liked many things about Meth Wick Health Center. I was born and raised in that neighborhood as a child. It also had many people from the Church that I served, and it was a full care. It was near to … (read more)

Higley Mansion Care Center

Higley Mansion Care Center is an assisted living facility for seniors located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The community receivies high marks from residents and visitors for being well-kept and clean, and f … (read more)
Higley Mansion Care Center is an assisted living facility for seniors located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The community receivies high marks from residents and visitors for being well-kept and clean, and f … (read more)

Promise House

My grandma was at Promise House for two years before passing away, so I visited there several times. I did not notice much staff turnover, which I think is a plus. The staff was always very friendly a … (read more)
My grandma was at Promise House for two years before passing away, so I visited there several times. I did not notice much staff turnover, which I think is a plus. The staff was always very friendly a … (read more)



What to Consider About Assisted Living in Marion

The state of Iowa’s Department of Inspections and Appeals overlooks the running and the licensing of assisted living communities in Marion. Facilities need to adhere to a robust list of regulations in order to maintain their operating license.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Marion

  • In 2019 the city of Marion joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. This means that the city’s government has made a commitment to take steps towards improving the quality of life for its older residents. 
  • Marion is part of the LIFTS service, a county-wide initiative offering eligible older adults door-to-door transportation services to medical appointments, shopping trips and other errands. This program makes it easier for seniors who are unable to drive or use public transportation to move around the city. 
  • The city receives an average of 27 inches of snow and 37 inches of rain each year. Winters in Marion are long and frigid. However, summers are particularly pleasant with July highs reaching 84 degrees. The area’s comfort index for the warmer months is 8.5 out of 10. 
  • Seniors in Marion benefit from living in a very safe city with below-average crime rates for both property and violent incidents. On top of that, assisted living communities are secure units where residents can feel at ease. 
  • In terms of healthcare, Marion has a below-average number of medical professionals per 100,000 residents. The national median is 210 while the average in the city is 175. Healthcare costs are also slightly higher than in the rest of the country. However, Marion is within close range of several quality hospitals including St. Luke’s Hospital and the Mercy Medical Center Cedar Rapids.
  • The city’s cost of living is below the national average, meaning that seniors can make their retirement funds stretch a bit further than the average American. 
  • Older adults in the city enjoy breathing remarkably clean air. Marion’s air quality index rate of 70 is well above the national median of 58. The city also scored above average for its water quality.

Paying for Assisted Living in Marion

According to data from Genworth’s Cost of Care 2020 Survey, the cost for assisted living in Marion of $4,450 is above both the state and the U.S. respective medians of $4,073 and $4,300. 

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

When compared with some of its surrounding cities, the rates for assisted living in Marion are mid-range. While the average cost in Davenport is nearly $1,000 lower, Iowa City is only a few hundred dollars below the cost in Marion. The cost in northeastern Dubuque of $4,568 is slightly above that of Marion, while in the northwestern area of Waterloo the median monthly price for assisted living soars to $5,060.

$4450

Marion

$4073

Iowa

$4300

The United States

$4568

Dubuque

$3478

Davenport

$4106

Iowa City

$5060

Waterloo

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Moving into an assisted living community in Marion is more cost-effective than opting for in-home care, which costs $5,148 on average, each month for both homemaker and home health aide services. Nursing homes provide the highest level of senior care available and in Marion, the median price is $6,540 for a semiprivate room and $7,467 for a private room. Adult day health care rates are the lowest available in Marion at a monthly cost of $1,353.

$5148

Homemaker Services

$5148

Home Health Aide

$1353

Adult Day Health Care

$4450

Assisted Living Facility

$6540

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$7467

Nursing Home Facility (private room)

Note: Care cost data for Marion was not available, so data for the closest city, Cedar Rapids, was used instead.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Marion

Seniors in the Marion area can have the cost of their assisted living accommodation subsidized by the Medicaid program. Medicaid waivers are also available for individuals who require long-term care that they are unable to pay for themselves. 

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

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Iowa

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 Iowa page.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Marion

There are many nonprofits and agencies offering a wide range of services to seniors in Marion. We’ve put together some of the most relevant ones for older residents of assisted living communities and seniors who are considering moving into one.

Resource

Contact 

Service

(319) 398-5559

Heritage is the local Area Agency on Aging serving seniors in seven counties, including Linn. The nonprofit can help seniors through options counseling for long-term care, case management services and referral to other relevant agencies. 

(319)377-3412

The city’s Parks & Recreation Department organizes many free events and activities for older adults aged 55 and over at The Lowe Park Arts and Environment Center. Seniors who wish to take part in any of the events need to book their spot a day in advance. Activities include line dancing, bingo and card games. 

(800)992-8161

Iowa Legal Aid manages this senior-oriented hotline. Adults aged 60 and older can get in touch with the service for legal advice and, in some cases, full representation on civil matters. Additionally, the service also provides self-help literature and an in-person legal clinic. 

(515) 725-3308

The statewide Ombudsman program runs as an independent advocacy service as part of the Iowa Department of Aging. Residents of long-term care units can contact the program for advice and to report concerns they have about their assisted living facility. The ombudsman can also council seniors and help them know their rights as residents. 

(319)398-5372

The Retired Senior and Volunteer Program is part of a national initiative by AmeriCorps. Seniors aged 55 and older who wish to participate get matched with local volunteering opportunities based on their abilities and interests. Iowa has an estimated 5,000 retirees dedicating their time to the program each year. 

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Marion

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

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Iowa