The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in East Lansing, MI for 2024

Located in central Michigan between Detroit and Grand Rapids, East Lansing offers a suburban setting, with access to galleries, restaurants and hiking trails. It's home to over 47,300 residents, with a senior population comprising 8.9%. Residents can take advantage of a cost of living that's approximately 6% lower than the national average, which contributes to affordable health care. 

The city also has reasonable prices for assisted living, a type of residential care that provides housing, meals and assistance with daily living activities, including dressing and meal preparation. These communities typically offer 24-hour staff as well as housekeeping and laundry services for a low-maintenance lifestyle. Seniors in East Lansing pay about $4,313 per month for assisted living, which is higher than Michigan's statewide average of $4,250 but lower than the national median of $4,500. 

This guide compares assisted living costs in East Lansing to fees in surrounding cities and explores resources to help pay for care. Additionally, readers can review licensing standards and state laws communities must follow for resident safety. 

Michigan's Department of Human Services, Bureau of Community and Health Systems oversees assisted living communities in East Lansing and throughout the state. The bureau provides facility licensing information and a searchable database seniors and their families can use to review inspection and investigation reports for potential long-term care options. 

 

• East Lansing's cost of living falls 5.8% below the national average, offering affordable prices for necessities such as housing, food and transportation. Moving to assisted living can also help with affordability, as most communities offer fixed monthly rates for services. 

 

• East Lansing experiences warm summers and cold, snowy winters, with average temperatures ranging from 17 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. June to September offers the most comfortable weather for outdoor recreation. Assisted living communities also provide a mix of indoor and outdoor activities to encourage resident engagement, regardless of weather. 

 

• Based on a 100-point index, East Lansing's crime rates score lower than national figures. The city ranks at 11.9 for violent crime and 24.7 for property crime compared to U.S. scores of 22.7 and 35.4. Assisted living communities also promote resident safety with security measures, including keypad entries and 24-hour surveillance. 

 

• Seniors in East Lansing pay nearly 18% less for health care than the national average and have access to 314 local physicians per 100,000 people. The city doesn't have a local hospital, but its proximity to Lansing grants access to quality medical care. Located near Michigan State University, McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital features 240 beds and a full range of community programs and services for adults aged 55 and older. Many assisted living communities also offer limited skilled nursing care and transportation to off-site appointments.

 

• Michigan doesn't tax Social Security benefits and partially taxes pension income and retirement account withdrawals. It also provides deductions on all retirement income. State property taxes rank a bit high, but moving to assisted living can alleviate this burden, providing more funds for leisurely purchases or care costs. 

 

Assisted living communities in East Lansing charge about $4,313 per month. 

Seniors in East Lansing pay $4,313 per month for assisted living, a higher rate than Michigan's statewide average of $4,250 but lower than the national norm of $4,500. Ann Arbor offers care for about 41.3% more than East Lansing, while Grand Rapids' prices are nearly 12% higher. Kalamazoo also carries a higher monthly rate of $4,350. However, prices decrease by 2.3% in Detroit, offering one of the most cost-effective options in the region. 

Assisted living has one of the lowest senior care rates in East Lansing at $4,313 per month. However, adult day health care costs less at $2,427, offering daytime-only activities and supervision. Seniors wishing to age in place can access professional daily living support with home care or skilled nursing services through home health care for 30.4% more than assisted living. Meanwhile, nursing homes charge higher monthly rates of $9,551 for semi-private rooms due to their around-the-clock medical care and supervision for seniors with illnesses or injuries.  

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 Michigan page.