The 3 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Meridian, MS for 2024

Around 90 miles east of Jackson and close to the Alabama border, Meridian, MS, is a small city of around 33,800. Seniors 65 and older comprise approximately 16.8% of the local community. The city offers a low cost of living and pleasant temperatures, ideal for seniors who wish to make the most of the area’s parks, lakes and golf courses.  

Meridian’s assisted living communities provide tailored support services that allow seniors to live as independently as possible and maintain a good quality of life. Residents enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle among peers and can join diverse enrichment activities. Assisted living costs an average of $3,150 per month in Meridian, substantially lower than the U.S. and Mississippi average rates.

Through this guide, individuals can learn more about retiring in Meridian, including local support resources and average care costs. The guide also includes information about statewide assisted living costs and potential sources of financial aid.

The Division of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification of the Mississippi State Department of Health is responsible for monitoring and licensing assisted living communities and other residential care facilities in Meridian and throughout Mississippi. The division also certifies facilities for Medicaid and Medicare payments, reviews providers and maintains a directory of state-licensed facilities.   

 

• Located in Meridian, Anderson Regional Medical Center provides routine, surgical, diagnostic and 24/7 emergency health care services. Medical specialties include cardiology, oncology, orthopedics and nutrition. Additionally, the city has over 20 pharmacies and diverse clinics to further support community well-being.    

 

• Meridian has an average Walk Score of 26, meaning that many locals use public or private transportation to get around the city. Moreover, the area has few cycle lanes, increasing reliance on motorized vehicles. However, the Mississippi Department of Human Services partners with local agencies to provide senior transportation services, making it more convenient for older adults to run errands, attend routine medical appointments and access leisure facilities.

 

• Unfortunately, crime rates in Meridian are higher than in many other parts of the country. At 29.9, the violent crime score is 7.2 points higher than the U.S. average, and the property crime rate of 68.5 is 33.1 points higher than the national average. Fortunately, many assisted living communities have security features and 24/7 on-site staff, which may promote safety and peace of mind for seniors and their loved ones.

 

• With a cost of living around 26.9% lower than the nationwide norm, Meridian may appeal to individuals with limited means. Local living costs are also roughly 5.6% lower than the state average.

 

• Another financial perk of living in the city is the lack of state income tax on most pensions, withdrawals from retirement accounts, annuities and military and veterans' benefits. Plus, there is no tax on Social Security benefits, further bolstering Mississippi’s attractiveness for budget-conscious seniors.

 

In Meridian, assisted living communities charge an average monthly fee of $3,150.

The average assisted living cost in Meridian runs $3,150 monthly, which is lower than the state and national average of $3,500 and $4,500, respectively. Furthermore, Meridian is among the most pocket-friendly destinations in Mississippi for residential assisted living. Seniors in Gulfport pay about $650 more than those in Meridian, while individuals in Hattiesburg experience a $974 price hike. The median rate rises further to $4,350 in Mississippi’s capital of Jackson.

Costing around $3,150 per month, assisted living is among the most affordable long-term care choices in Meridian. Adult day health care costs $2,283 less per month for support services during the day in a community setting. In-home care is 17.9% costlier than assisted living, while home health care is 23.4% more expensive than assisted living.

Service-wise, in-home care includes assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, transferring and light domestic chores, while home health care provides intermittent skilled nursing services and therapeutic support. Seniors requiring around-the-clock care and supervision can expect to pay around $6,312 per month for a semi-private room in a nursing home, double the price of 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 Mississippi page.