The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Towson, MD for 2023

Towson is a suburb of Baltimore and has been named among the best places to live in Maryland. The city has about 55,000 residents, nearly 17% of whom are aged 65 and over. While the city’s overall cost of living is high, affordable health care and retiree-friendly tax laws may make it a budget-friendly option for those seeking assisted living. It has a generally comfortable climate and comparatively low crime, offering the environment that many retirees seek.   

Seniors who need some help with daily living activities and want freedom from the hassles and expenses of homeownership may opt for assisted living. These residential communities provide personal care services, daily meals, recreational activities and wellness services, providing comfort and convenience. The Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey discloses that assisted living facilities in Towson charge approximately $5,000 per month for services, which is equal to the state average but high compared to the national median.  

This guide outlines the benefits and drawbacks of living in Towson and breaks down the cost of local senior care options. It also lists some resources that serve older adults in the region.  

The Maryland Department of Health, Office of Health Care Quality, regulates assisted living facilities in Towson and the rest of the state. This department enforces regulations pertaining to staffing, scope of care, facility requirements and intake and discharge procedures.

• Living costs in Towson are high even compared to Maryland, where the cost of living is considerably higher than the national average. Overall, expenses in Towson are about 18% higher than the nationwide median. Housing, utilities, groceries and transportation are particularly expensive, but seniors may avoid these expenses by moving to assisted living.  
• Towson seniors may find Maryland’s state tax laws to be favorable, depending on their retirement income sources. Social Security benefits and income from 401(k)s are tax-exempt, but seniors pay taxes on income from IRAs and public and private pensions. Maryland is the only state with an estate and an inheritance tax, which may be a consideration for those moving to the state.  
• Towson is a generally safe community with a low crime rate, making it an attractive option for older adults moving to the Baltimore region. On a 100-point crime index, the city’s property crime rate is about eight points lower than the national average, at 26.7, and the violent crime rate is five points lower, at 17.5. This indicates that there are fewer occurrences of crime in Towson than in the typical U.S. city. 
• Towson’s climate is generally pleasant, rating slightly higher than the nation as a whole on a 10-point comfort index. Summers are warm with high temperatures in the upper 80s, and winters are cool with highs in the low 40s. The city sees about 45 inches of annual rainfall and 21 inches of snow, and humidity levels are usually low, which may appeal to those who enjoy being outdoors. 
• Health care costs in Towson are about 2% lower than the national average, and provider options are plentiful with about 348 doctors per 100,000 people versus the national rate of 210. There’s one hospital, the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center, within the city limits. This hospital specializes in heart care, cancer treatment and spine and orthopedic care. Neighboring Baltimore has many more hospitals, including The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Medstar Union Memorial Hospital and Greater Baltimore Medical Center.  

Assisted living data for Towson is included in the average for the Baltimore area, which encompasses Baltimore, Columbia and Towson. Here, assisted living fees come in at $5,000 per month, which is equal to the state median but $700 higher than the national rate of $4,300.  

With monthly assisted living fees coming in at $5,000, Towson is a moderately priced option for care. More affordable care is available in Cumberland, where locals pay $4,665 per month for this level of care. Salisbury and the California area are considerably costlier at $5,500 and $6,200, respectively.  

Seniors in Towson have a range of care options available depending on their budgets and levels of need. Home-based care is a little cheaper than assisted living, with seniors paying $4,671 for homemaker services and $4,957 for home health aide services. Assisted living costs $5,000 per month but includes expenses such as housing and meals, which may make it more affordable than home-based care for some. Adult day health care is the cheapest option at $1,896 per month, and nursing homes charge the highest rates of $11,984 for semiprivate accommodations and $12,805 for private rooms.  

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 Maryland page.