The 5 Best Assisted Living Facilities in New Bedford, MA for 2023

New Bedford is a large city of about 101,000 people, 15% of whom are at retirement age. The city offers a comparatively low cost of living, and seniors don’t pay state income taxes on Social Security benefits, making it a financially practical option for many retirees. The local weather is typically comfortable, and factors such as the range of public transportation options and the abundance of public parks make it a preferred retirement destination for many seniors. 

The New Bedford region accommodates older adults who need daily assistance through several assisted living facilities. These residential communities provide daily meals, personalized care plans and engaging recreational activities. Some facilities have convenient amenities such as movie theaters, hair salons and fitness centers, and many allow residents to bring their pets. On average, seniors in New Bedford pay $6,063 per month for this type of care, compared to state and national respective norms of $6,500 and $4,500.

This guide provides more details on assisted living in New Bedford, including common ways people pay for care and an overview of the state-mandated rules facilities follow. It also highlights some benefits and downsides of assisted living in New Bedford.

In New Bedford, as in the rest of Massachusetts, assisted living facilities follow regulations set by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. This department certifies assisted living facilities and enforces rules related to staffing, scope of care, and move-in and move-out procedures. It also publishes information on residents’ rights and tenant protections as they relate to assisted living residents.

• New Bedford’s overall cost of living is comparable to the U.S. average, with the city rating 102.5 on an index set to a national norm of 100. This is low compared to the state score of 127.5, indicating that it’s among the more budget-friendly places to live in Massachusetts. This may promote competitive assisted living pricing.
• Seniors in New Bedford pay state income taxes on most types of retirement income, and there are no applicable exemptions or deductions. However, Social Security benefits are tax-exempt, which may significantly lower tax liability for those who rely primarily on this source of income.
• New Bedford is a member of the AARP Age-Friendly Network, meaning that it has an action plan to help residents age in place and maintain healthy lifestyles throughout retirement. It rates among the top half of U.S. communities for its accessible transportation options, good regional air quality and high access to parks.
• New Bedford has warm summers and chilly winters, making it well-suited for seniors who enjoy experiencing distinct seasons. Annually, the city gets 51 inches of rainfall and 35 inches of snow, compared to national respective norms of 38 inches and 28 inches, and there’s some type of precipitation an average of 127 days out of the year.
• Health care costs in New Bedford run about 16% lower than the national norm, putting medical services within reach of many seniors with fixed incomes. While there are only 142 doctors per capita compared to 210 nationally, the city is home to St. Luke’s Hospital of New Bedford, and many assisted living facilities have on-call physicians.

In New Bedford, assisted living facilities charge an average of $6,063 per month for housing and care.

In New Bedford, assisted living costs approximately $6,063 per month. While this is significantly higher than the national average of $4,500, it’s about $440 lower than the state average. Other cities in Massachusetts may have more economically priced care, with seniors in Worcester paying $5,685 for services and assisted living residents in Springfield paying an average of $5,048. In Pittsfield, care costs are about $4,000 less than in New Bedford, but in Boston, rates are several hundred dollars higher, averaging $6,819.

At $6,063 per month on average, assisted living is one of the more expensive long-term care options in the New Bedford region. Seniors arranging private care in their homes pay comparatively economical rates of around $5,720 for nonmedical in-home care and $5,911 for skilled home health care. Adult day health care offers potential monthly savings of $4,400 over assisted living costs, but residential custodial care is affordable compared to nursing home care, which starts at $10,190 per month.

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 Massachusetts page.