The capital of Massachusetts and also one of the nation's oldest cities, Boston boasts a choice of 6 assisted living facilities within its central area. Opening up the search to outer suburbs grants seniors 198 more choices. Despite being one of New England's most populous cities, Boston offers relatively affordable assisted living compared to the Massachusetts median. In 2024, seniors pay about $6,750 in the city vs. $7,120 statewide. However, expenses still greatly surpass the $5,350 national baseline.
Check 1630 reviews reviews of Boston's assisted living communities below, where providers earn an average of 4.1 out of 5 stars stars.
352 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
3.2
(7 reviews)
"I visited Susan Bailis. That place was to die for with a cute setup. The room was a one-bedroom with a living room. The people were very nice. The sitting area was very quaint, and it smelled good in there. It’s a fairly new place. The staff was exce..."
$6,488
1190 Adams Street, Boston, MA 02124
4.6
(8 reviews)
"My aunt has moved into Standish Village. It's easy for me to get there, so I settled on them. Overall, we are happy with it. It is a beautiful, clean place. The staff is good and seasoned. There were some communication issues with getting my aunt in ..."
Pricing not available
9 W School Street, Boston, MA 02129
4.5
(6 reviews)
"I really love Zelma Lacey House of Charlestown. It's very homey and very quaint. If we get my mother in a place, I would like her there. It's a very nice company. I was impressed because most of the employees were there long-term. They don't come and..."
Pricing not available
63 Parker Hill Avenue, Boston, MA 02120
3.9
(14 reviews)
"The marketing manager at Landmark at Longwood was very detailed. She explained everything to me, including prices. She answered my questions and toured me around. I like everything except the size of the apartment. It was definitely not something I'd..."
Pricing not available
44 Allandale Street, Boston, MA 02130
5.0
(2 reviews)
"We looked here. It was a lovely facility, and the tour was given by a very experienced person in the field. She did a nice job of explaining what they offered. She helped us see the various levels of care that they offer. She helped us locate our req..."
Pricing not available
224 Salem Street, Swampscott, MA 01907
5.0
(5 reviews)
"We had a very good experience at The Residence at Vinnin Square. It's beautiful. Everything was nice. It was open. It was airy. It didn't smell. There's a lot of light in there. The layout was good. I don't have anything bad to say. The staff was ver..."
$6,810
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119 E Central St, Natick, MA 01760
5.0
(1 reviews)
"We toured The Residence at Natick South. It has a very beautiful, elegant, and very formal setting. It required furnishing for even a short-term rehab stay. They did not provide a television. They had a white linen dinner every night, a well-appointe..."
$3,500
369 Pond Street, Ashland, MA 01721
5.0
(3 reviews)
"Mom was at The Residence at Valley Farm for respite care. Everything from the food, the professionalism and friendliness of the staff, and the cleanliness of the place were all good. I've tried a meal once and it was pretty good. Mom's room was very ..."
$4,335
40 Clapboardtree Street, Norwood, MA 02062
5.0
(5 reviews)
"I toured Benchmark Senior Living on Clapboardtree. It's a very nice place, but they didn't have an opening for my mother and father to live together, which is a very big part of it. They've been married for 62 years, and they want to be together. The..."
$7,500
206 Waltham St, West Newton, MA 02465
5.0
(1 reviews)
"Scandinavian Living Center was an absolutely lovely facility. Great staff, beautiful, lots of recreational and educational opportunities, and good food. It had beautiful rooms, small, intimate settings. You name it, they have it: music, dance, games,..."
$7,800
220 Conant St, Danvers, MA 01923
5.0
(3 reviews)
"My dad moved to Charter Senior Living of Danvers. The staff I met with was caring and very knowledgeable and spent a lot of time explaining their philosophies on how they take care of their memory care patients. They just impressed me a great deal. I..."
$4,995
1 Del Pond Drive, Canton, MA 02021
5.0
(10 reviews)
"Orchard Cove was second on our list. Our tour was a very good experience. The facility was clean. The community was welcoming. The staff person who toured us was very knowledgeable and very responsive to our questions. We were very impressed with it...."
$4,555
235 Gould Street, Needham, MA 02494
4.8
(7 reviews)
"I had moved into Wingate Residences at Needham, but I had to move out again, not that I got sick and nobody around me got sick, but I knew I'd be in lockdown in their senior living and that would defeat the purpose of my living there, so I moved back..."
$6,375
20 Summer Street, Watertown, MA 02472
4.8
(11 reviews)
"We toured The Residence at Watertown Square. It looked like the floors and walls were in very good physical condition. It didn't look like it was beaten up, with people walking around with walkers and wheelchairs. So, it was in pretty good shape. I..."
$5,665
30 Ledgeview Way, Wrentham, MA 02093
4.8
(11 reviews)
"My mom moved into All American Assisted Living at Wrentham. I chose it because it was like the first one I went to, it was close to my house, and it was very clean. Everybody there is awesome. My mother has not complained about the food. She eats eve..."
$4,400
CARING STARS WINNER
40 Robert F. Toner Blvd, Attleboro Falls, MA 02763
4.8
(21 reviews)
"The rooms are modern and comfortable. The food is very well prepared. I would expect nothing less for my mother. The staff however, is beyond compare. They are well trained, hard working and the most caring people you will ever meet. My mom was lucky..."
$4,915
75 Norumbega Road, Weston, MA 02493
4.8
(5 reviews)
"The staff at Epoch has been phenomenal. They have gone out of their way to be present every day in my mother's life, from physical care to encouraging her to engage in activities making a point of getting her out of her room. My family could not be h..."
$6,995
CARING STARS WINNER
92 West Street, Wilmington, MA 01887
4.8
(20 reviews)
"We were directed to Windsor Place by a Care Patrol employee. From my first phone call to Sandra and virtual tour, I got a good feeling about this facility. They were very a ccomodating about a month of respite care while we looked for a permanent h..."
$6,075
391 Common Street, Dedham, MA 02026
4.8
(5 reviews)
"My friend has moved here. It has the perfect size apartment for her. They're wonderful staff. They're supportive and caring. She can get outside and walk on her own. She is near a close friend who can come over frequently when needed. Food is okay. T..."
$5,495
75 Pearl Street, Reading, MA 01867
4.7
(9 reviews)
"My mother-in-law moved into The Residence at Pearl Street 2 weeks ago. She is very comfortable and very happy there. So far, they're doing a nice job. It's a very beautiful and clean place. It was a former school, which they've done over. On the insi..."
$5,900
Assisted Living
Piper
2.0
Review of Susan Bailis Assisted Living
If you are interested in an Assisted Living to provide Daily and worthwhile Activities for your loved one Susan Ballis is not the place. Being located across the street from Symphony Hall, Berklee...
Assisted Living
Michael
4.0
Review of Susan Bailis Assisted Living
I toured Susan Bailis Assisted Living. It's centrally located in downtown Boston, and its facilities are clean and well-maintained. The units are small, and the prices are high for the area. The...
Assisted Living
Atkinson
1.0
Review of Providence House Assisted Living
The main receptionist shows phenomenal insensitivity to resident religion and ethnicity. Shouting at residents is common. Some on the nursing staff try at times. But too many are disrespectful of...
Provider response
Thank you for providing this feedback. As of October 2024 our community is under new leadership with several new additions throughout our Management Departments. With the open door policy and...
According to Genworth's 2024 Cost of Care Survey, assisted living costs $1,400 more than the national median in Boston. However, retirees face steeper expenses elsewhere in Massachusetts, as care costs $9,783 in Barnstable and $9,825 in Pittsfield. Seniors looking to reduce their expenses save $382 by retiring in Springfield instead of Boston, as this city offers the most affordable assisted living statewide.
Boston
$6,750
Massachusetts
$7,120
United States
$5,350
Barnstable
$9,783
Worcester
$6,906
Springfield
$6,368
Pittsfield
$9,825
Seniors in Boston can cover assisted living costs by combining private resources with public health programs and financial assistance. Depending on their financial and care needs, Medicaid and Medicare can help reduce out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, our proprietary Caring.com database lists over 40 local facilities that accept VA benefits. By understanding these programs, seniors can budget for assisted living.
MassHealth, the Medicaid program of the state of Massachusetts, covers the cost of assisted living services through the Moving Forward Plan – Residential Supports (MFP-RS) waiver for eligible seniors in Boston or through the Supportive Senior Housing Initiative for residents of state-funded assisted living residences.
Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Massachusetts page.
Assisted living fees in Boston have slowly but steadily increased over the last few years, rising by a projected 18% between 2022 and 2024. Overall, Boston's assisted living fees are relatively costly, being around 12% higher than the national average. Compared to other cities in Massachusetts, however, Boston is relatively affordable, having average fees that are roughly 15% lower than the state average. Inflation has impacted most Massachusetts cities to a similar degree. Assisted living prices in Norton and Leominster are both projected to increase by almost 18%, as are average fees in Brewster, one of the most costly cities.
| Location | 2022 Cost (Historical) | 2023 Cost (Current) | 2024 Cost (Estimated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | $4,579 | $5,017 | $5,403 |
| U.S. Average | $4,070 | $4,459 | $4,802 |
| Massachusetts | $5,202 | $5,599 | $6,393 |
| Brewster | $6,070 | $6,650 | $7,162 |
| Norton | $4,567 | $5,004 | $5,389 |
| Leominster | $4,550 | $4,985 | $5,368 |
In Boston, seniors pay about $7,394 more than the median assisted living rate for a semi-private room in a nursing home. Among other retirement options, seniors spend the least on adult day care, which costs approximately $2,643 per month. Home care costs only $305 more than assisted living, enabling seniors to receive affordable support in their own homes instead of entering a retirement community.
In-Home Care
$7,055
Home Health Care
$7,436
Adult Day Health Care
$2,643
Assisted Living Facility
$6,750
Nursing Home Facility (semi-private room)
$14,144
Assisted Living Room Accommodation Types and Availability
According to our proprietary database, assisted living facilities in Boston offer 5 studio apartments, 5 one-bedroom apartments, and 2 two-bedroom apartments.
Health and Personal Care Service Levels and Availability
Boston has 3 facilities offering respite care services, 2 offering skilled nursing, and 1 offering bathing assistance.
Pet Policies and Popular Amenities
Pets are allowed in 4 facilities in Boston, with 1 that allows pets but does not allow large dogs (only small dogs allowed).
These statistics are current as of December 2024 using Caring's proprietary database of Assisted Living facilities across the United States, sourced largely from the facilities or from our team's research. We strive to maintain the largest database of senior living facilities and senior care resources online. Though we may not have full coverage, we will continue to update and validate this data for care seekers. These data points describe the facility's location offerings, which may include more types of care than Assisted Living.
There are many resources in Boston,MA that assist seniors in their retirement. Caring.com has compiled information on local organizations, programs and agencies and categorized them into care types for easy reference.
For information about statewide resources and those in nearby cities, go to Caring's Massachusetts state page.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Age Strong Commission | 617-635-4366 | This Boston-based initiative supports those aged 55 and over through Medicare counseling, application assistance for benefits and referrals for community-based resources. It publishes Boston Seniority Magazine, a monthly publication that covers age-related topics. |
| Boston Senior Home Care | 617-451-6400 | Boston Senior Home Care provides free and low-cost services, including case management, in-home care and long-term support. It has support groups and educational programs for caregivers, and it connects program participants to financial assistance programs. |
| Central Boston Elder Services, Inc. | 617-277-7416 | Through this nonprofit organization, seniors receive in-home personal care, computer classes and chore services. It has advisors who provide health insurance options counseling, and it fields and investigates reports of elder abuse. |
| Massachusetts Home Care Program | 800-243-4636 | The Massachusetts Home Care Program helps those aged 60 and over remain independent in their homes through care management, personal care and assistive technology. It arranges home-delivered meals and provides nonemergency transportation services. |
| Massachusetts Frail Elder Waiver | 800-841-2900 or 800-497-4648 (TTY) | This Home- and Community-Based Services waiver pays for personal care assistance, homemaker services and home modifications for seniors who live at home. It also pays for personal emergency response systems. |
| Elderly Nutrition Program | 617-357-0226 ext. 202 | Operated by the Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center, this program provides hot Chinese meals for seniors. It delivers meals to local congregate meal sites and housebound seniors throughout the Boston region. |
| Greater Boston Food Bank | 617-427-5200 | The Greater Boston Food Bank has a database of food distribution sites throughout the Boston region. It operates free Mobile Markets and administers the federal Commodity Supplemental Food Program. |
| Haley House Food Pantry | 617-236-8132 | This nonprofit organization operates the Haley House Bakery Cafe, which serves affordable, nutritious meals. Additionally, it oversees a clothing room, food pantries and a soup kitchen. |
| Greater Boston Legal Services | 800-323-1234 | With over 70 legal professionals and 20 paralegals, this program provides free civil legal aid for those aged 60 and over. It helps older adults navigate issues related to consumer rights, assisted living contracts and health care benefits. |
| Massachusetts Home Modification Loan Program | 617-727-5944 | This loan program provides funds for accessibility improvements, helping seniors remain in their homes. Some modifications it helps seniors pay for include ramps and lifts, handrails and hard flooring, and it installs brighter lights and widens doorways for improved mobility. |
| Weatherization Assistance Program | 617-348-6419 or 617-423-9215 (TTY) | The Weatherization Assistance Program helps income-qualified seniors improve their homes’ energy efficiency. It provides services such as attic and wall insulation, weather stripping, air sealing and heating system repairs. |
| Easterseals Massachusetts Senior Services | 508-757-2756 | This nonprofit organization has specialists who help seniors obtain assistive technology and rehabilitation services. It operates lending libraries where individuals can get low-tech and high-tech enrichment items, computers, vehicle modifications and mobility equipment. |
| Boston Social Security Office | 800-772-1213 or 800-325-0778 (TTY) | At the local Social Security field offices, seniors apply for Medicare, Social Security retirement and disability benefits and Supplemental Security Income, and they’re screened for Medicaid eligibility. Boston contains three field offices, with locations on Causeway Street, Malcolm X Boulevard and Freeport Street. |
| Massachusetts Fuel Assistance Programs | 617-727-8400 | Boston seniors have access to three utility assistance programs: the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the Salvation Army's Good Neighbor Energy Fund and Joe-4-Oil. Through these programs, seniors get assistance with paying for their utility bills, avoiding service disruptions. |
| Boston Vet Center | 800-698-2411 | The Boston Vet Center administers mental health services for those living with post-traumatic stress disorder, grief, anger and depression. It provides referral services for substance use, suicide prevention and veteran services. |
| Jamaica Plain VA Medical Center | 617-232-9500 | At this medical center, qualified veterans receive primary and specialty care services, mental health support and laser therapy for vision and cancer. Additionally, it offers the region’s only radiation oncology program. |
Boston-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Massachusetts are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Massachusetts page for more information about these laws.
When researching assisted living facilities in Boston, prospective residents often prioritize facilities with convenient services and thoughtful amenities. These features support independence, helping residents maintain their well-being and delay or avoid more intensive care. Some common features in Boston include:
In Boston, seniors have a wide range of assisted living facilities to consider. A Caring.com Family Advisor can help seniors compare facilities and find the best fit for their needs.
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