Located along the banks of the Yellowstone River, Billings is known for its rugged sandstone cliffs, wide-open spaces and historical monuments that capture the spirit of the American West. Billings is the largest city in Montana with more than 109,500 residents, just over 1,800 of whom are seniors aged 65 and older. In addition to the breathtaking natural scenery, retirees have access to some of the highest-rated hospitals in the state, and residents enjoy a cost of living that’s slightly lower than the national average.
Assisted living facilities provide access to full-time staff assistance, accommodations, meals and help with activities of daily living. These communities are ideal choices for seniors who can no longer live at home alone, but don’t yet meet the criteria for nursing home admission. Assisted living in Billings costs an average of $4,100 per month, according to Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey. This is more affordable than both the national median of $4,300 and the statewide average for Montana, which is $4,213.
This guide provides more information about Billings, details on the local cost of assisted living compared to other cities and other types of long-term care, as well as local resources for seniors and their families.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Billings, MT
MorningStar of Billings is located on the western side of Billings, just north of the town of Yegen. It sits within walking distance of the Shiloh Ridge Trail, giving residents an easy option for gett
… (read more)
MorningStar of Billings is located on the western side of Billings, just north of the town of Yegen. It sits within walking distance of the Shiloh Ridge Trail, giving residents an easy option for getting exercise near the complex. Other nearby recreational options include Olympic Park and the Asian Nights Casino, and Montana’s largest mall — Rimrock Mall, is located just three blocks away. Residents and visitors appreciate the large living areas and the friendliness of the staff. Residents also enjoy the social groups and the activities available, including bingo, painting classes and card games.
(read less)
MorningStar of Billings is located on the western side of Billings, just north of the town of Yegen. It sits within walking distance of the Shiloh Ridge Trail, giving residents an easy option for gett
… (read more)
MorningStar of Billings is located on the western side of Billings, just north of the town of Yegen. It sits within walking distance of the Shiloh Ridge Trail, giving residents an easy option for getting exercise near the complex. Other nearby recreational options include Olympic Park and the Asian Nights Casino, and Montana’s largest mall — Rimrock Mall, is located just three blocks away. Residents and visitors appreciate the large living areas and the friendliness of the staff. Residents also enjoy the social groups and the activities available, including bingo, painting classes and card games.
(read less)
Autumn Springs Assisted Living is a senior community located west of Billings, MT, sandwiched between Zimmerman Park and the Yegen Gold Club. The cozy and home-like community offers a number of housin
… (read more)
Autumn Springs Assisted Living is a senior community located west of Billings, MT, sandwiched between Zimmerman Park and the Yegen Gold Club. The cozy and home-like community offers a number of housing options for those 55 and up, from studios to two-bedroom apartments, and residents are invited to bring along their small, furry companions. This community provides assistance with in-house services for your loved one, including home-cooked meals, laundry, housekeeping and medication management. Transportation can also be scheduled for needs outside of the community, such as doctor’s visits and shopping outings.
(read less)
Autumn Springs Assisted Living is a senior community located west of Billings, MT, sandwiched between Zimmerman Park and the Yegen Gold Club. The cozy and home-like community offers a number of housin
… (read more)
Autumn Springs Assisted Living is a senior community located west of Billings, MT, sandwiched between Zimmerman Park and the Yegen Gold Club. The cozy and home-like community offers a number of housing options for those 55 and up, from studios to two-bedroom apartments, and residents are invited to bring along their small, furry companions. This community provides assistance with in-house services for your loved one, including home-cooked meals, laundry, housekeeping and medication management. Transportation can also be scheduled for needs outside of the community, such as doctor’s visits and shopping outings.
(read less)
Camphor Assisted Living is located in a quiet, residential neighborhood just minutes from downtown Billings, Montana, the North Elevation Historic District and Billings Logan International Airport. Ca
… (read more)
Camphor Assisted Living is located in a quiet, residential neighborhood just minutes from downtown Billings, Montana, the North Elevation Historic District and Billings Logan International Airport. Camphor Assisted Living is also convenient to restaurants, shopping, parks and recreation. Once a single-family home, this small, locally-owned facility strives to create an atmosphere where each and every resident feels safe and respected. The experienced staff pride themselves in providing the highest level of individual care and assisting residents in accessing opportunities for physical, social and emotional growth.
(read less)
Camphor Assisted Living is located in a quiet, residential neighborhood just minutes from downtown Billings, Montana, the North Elevation Historic District and Billings Logan International Airport. Ca
… (read more)
Camphor Assisted Living is located in a quiet, residential neighborhood just minutes from downtown Billings, Montana, the North Elevation Historic District and Billings Logan International Airport. Camphor Assisted Living is also convenient to restaurants, shopping, parks and recreation. Once a single-family home, this small, locally-owned facility strives to create an atmosphere where each and every resident feels safe and respected. The experienced staff pride themselves in providing the highest level of individual care and assisting residents in accessing opportunities for physical, social and emotional growth.
(read less)
Minutes from Peter Yegen Golf Course, Highgate at Billings is an assisted living and memory care facility in Billings, Montana. Residents and visitors are impressed by the quality of care, the welcomi
… (read more)
Minutes from Peter Yegen Golf Course, Highgate at Billings is an assisted living and memory care facility in Billings, Montana. Residents and visitors are impressed by the quality of care, the welcoming atmosphere, the pleasant appearance of the rooms and the ability of staff to motivate resident participation in daily activities. The facility encourages socialization and offers activities such as technology classes, afternoon tea, yoga and Wii bowling. They also provide transportation to appointments, shopping and community events. Pet-friendly apartments are available in a variety of sizes and the community features a spa, garden, barber shop and aromatherapy.
(read less)
Minutes from Peter Yegen Golf Course, Highgate at Billings is an assisted living and memory care facility in Billings, Montana. Residents and visitors are impressed by the quality of care, the welcomi
… (read more)
Minutes from Peter Yegen Golf Course, Highgate at Billings is an assisted living and memory care facility in Billings, Montana. Residents and visitors are impressed by the quality of care, the welcoming atmosphere, the pleasant appearance of the rooms and the ability of staff to motivate resident participation in daily activities. The facility encourages socialization and offers activities such as technology classes, afternoon tea, yoga and Wii bowling. They also provide transportation to appointments, shopping and community events. Pet-friendly apartments are available in a variety of sizes and the community features a spa, garden, barber shop and aromatherapy.
(read less)
Located one block west of Stewart Park and two from Rimrock Mall, Sweetwater Retirement Community of Billings is an assisted and independent living facility in Montana. Residents praise the food, fami
… (read more)
Located one block west of Stewart Park and two from Rimrock Mall, Sweetwater Retirement Community of Billings is an assisted and independent living facility in Montana. Residents praise the food, family outings and the cleanliness of the building. Loved ones are impressed with the personalized care plans, transportation service available for residents and dedicated, caring staff. Sweetwater features a library, pub, salon, theatre with leather recliners, ice cream parlor, chapel, wellness room and patio with a gazebo. Residents can choose from studio, one and two bedroom apartments with kitchens or kitchenettes or town house style villas with garages.
(read less)
Located one block west of Stewart Park and two from Rimrock Mall, Sweetwater Retirement Community of Billings is an assisted and independent living facility in Montana. Residents praise the food, fami
… (read more)
Located one block west of Stewart Park and two from Rimrock Mall, Sweetwater Retirement Community of Billings is an assisted and independent living facility in Montana. Residents praise the food, family outings and the cleanliness of the building. Loved ones are impressed with the personalized care plans, transportation service available for residents and dedicated, caring staff. Sweetwater features a library, pub, salon, theatre with leather recliners, ice cream parlor, chapel, wellness room and patio with a gazebo. Residents can choose from studio, one and two bedroom apartments with kitchens or kitchenettes or town house style villas with garages.
(read less)
The Springs at Grand Park offers assisted living options for seniors and is situated close to the Yegen Golf Course in the heart of Billings, Montana, a few minutes away from shops and cultural activi
… (read more)
The Springs at Grand Park offers assisted living options for seniors and is situated close to the Yegen Golf Course in the heart of Billings, Montana, a few minutes away from shops and cultural activities. Residents and visitors give high marks to this senior community for the nice rooms available for residents and the nutritious meals that are served. Residents appreciate the different activities provided including fitness classes, ice cream socials, bingo and trips to the local farmer’s market. Visitors mention the live musical performances, afternoon teas and caring, professional staff.
(read less)
The Springs at Grand Park offers assisted living options for seniors and is situated close to the Yegen Golf Course in the heart of Billings, Montana, a few minutes away from shops and cultural activi
… (read more)
The Springs at Grand Park offers assisted living options for seniors and is situated close to the Yegen Golf Course in the heart of Billings, Montana, a few minutes away from shops and cultural activities. Residents and visitors give high marks to this senior community for the nice rooms available for residents and the nutritious meals that are served. Residents appreciate the different activities provided including fitness classes, ice cream socials, bingo and trips to the local farmer’s market. Visitors mention the live musical performances, afternoon teas and caring, professional staff.
(read less)
Westpark Village has a recently remodeled interior, and its residents and their guests rave about its appearance. The residents enjoy using the comfortable dining area, and say that the food is delici
… (read more)
Westpark Village has a recently remodeled interior, and its residents and their guests rave about its appearance. The residents enjoy using the comfortable dining area, and say that the food is delicious. This community gets high marks from residents for its friendly staff. Praise has also come for the attractive decor, plush furniture and comfortable rooms. Guests and families say they like that the Westpark Village community has plenty of communal spaces for socializing and a laundry room on each level for the residents’ convenience.
(read less)
Westpark Village has a recently remodeled interior, and its residents and their guests rave about its appearance. The residents enjoy using the comfortable dining area, and say that the food is delici
… (read more)
Westpark Village has a recently remodeled interior, and its residents and their guests rave about its appearance. The residents enjoy using the comfortable dining area, and say that the food is delicious. This community gets high marks from residents for its friendly staff. Praise has also come for the attractive decor, plush furniture and comfortable rooms. Guests and families say they like that the Westpark Village community has plenty of communal spaces for socializing and a laundry room on each level for the residents’ convenience.
(read less)
Tendernest Assisted Living is a facility in Billings, Montana, where the priority is to ease residents’ transition into their new life. Residents are impressed by chefs who cater to all dietary requir
… (read more)
Tendernest Assisted Living is a facility in Billings, Montana, where the priority is to ease residents’ transition into their new life. Residents are impressed by chefs who cater to all dietary requirements so they can enjoy nutritious meals without worry, and the professional staff who are skilled at caring for patients with a variety of needs. Visitors praise the specialized programs and secure facility that provides a safe, caring environment for loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other memory issues. This community provides fun activities like family events, holiday-themed parties, group outings to nearby shopping outlets, fitness classes and games.
(read less)
Tendernest Assisted Living is a facility in Billings, Montana, where the priority is to ease residents’ transition into their new life. Residents are impressed by chefs who cater to all dietary requir
… (read more)
Tendernest Assisted Living is a facility in Billings, Montana, where the priority is to ease residents’ transition into their new life. Residents are impressed by chefs who cater to all dietary requirements so they can enjoy nutritious meals without worry, and the professional staff who are skilled at caring for patients with a variety of needs. Visitors praise the specialized programs and secure facility that provides a safe, caring environment for loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other memory issues. This community provides fun activities like family events, holiday-themed parties, group outings to nearby shopping outlets, fitness classes and games.
(read less)
Edgewood Vista – Billings is located in a cozy neighborhood in Billings, Montana, and lists their first core value as honesty and dependability. The facility works to create a great experience for its
… (read more)
Edgewood Vista – Billings is located in a cozy neighborhood in Billings, Montana, and lists their first core value as honesty and dependability. The facility works to create a great experience for its residents, with community services including independent and assisted living, short-term stays, memory care and planned activities like Bingo, music and group outings. Residents praise the homey environment, with staff available 24 hours a day and a safe community. In assisted living, residents are welcome to use the chapel, family dining room, library, beauty salon, ice cream parlor and billiards room.
(read less)
Edgewood Vista – Billings is located in a cozy neighborhood in Billings, Montana, and lists their first core value as honesty and dependability. The facility works to create a great experience for its
… (read more)
Edgewood Vista – Billings is located in a cozy neighborhood in Billings, Montana, and lists their first core value as honesty and dependability. The facility works to create a great experience for its residents, with community services including independent and assisted living, short-term stays, memory care and planned activities like Bingo, music and group outings. Residents praise the homey environment, with staff available 24 hours a day and a safe community. In assisted living, residents are welcome to use the chapel, family dining room, library, beauty salon, ice cream parlor and billiards room.
(read less)
Earning a Caring Star means this community is among the best Senior Living commuities in America.
What to Consider About Assisted Living in Billings
In Billings, assisted living facilities are licensed and regulated by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The Department ensures that facilities comply with the state’s long-term care regulations on medication administration, staffing, training and other aspects of their operation to ensure a high standard of care is provided.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Billings
Billings residents have easy access to several hospitals, including St. Vincent Healthcare, Advanced Care Hospital of Montana and Billings Clinic. U.S. News & World Report rated Billings Clinic as the best hospital in Montana for seven years in a row, and it’s ranked as high performing in the treatment of heart failure and COPD.
Adult Resource Alliance of Yellowstone County offers several low-cost transportation programs for seniors in Billings. One is the RIDES program, which provides nonmedical transportation to stores, work and various destinations throughout the city.
Compared to the national cost of living index of 100, Billings is slightly cheaper with a rating of 94.9. Transportation (75.2), utilities (95.6), health care (96.7) and housing (99.7) are more affordable than the U.S. averages, while groceries (101.3) are slightly more expensive.
Montana residents don’t pay sales tax, and property taxes are somewhat low. Seniors are partially taxed on Social Security earnings, however, and most other types of retirement income are fully taxed.
Winters in Billings can be very cold, with an average low of 15.8 degrees in January, the coldest month of the year. The city receives an average of 46 inches of snow annually, which is much higher than the U.S. average of 28. Summers are pleasantly warm with an average high of 88.3 degrees, and Billings gets less annual rainfall than the U.S. average.
The air quality in Billings is quite good, scoring 71 points out of 100, compared to the national average of 58. Water quality is below average, however. The city scored a 38 compared to the nationwide average of 55.
Both property and violent crime rates are higher in Billings compared to other Montana cities. Billings’ violent crime rate is 6.16 per 1,000 residents, while the Montana average is 4.05. The property crime rate of 41.06 is nearly double that of Montana as a whole (21.93). Seniors can have peace of mind thanks to the 24-hour staffing and security features provided by assisted living facilities.
Paying for Assisted Living in Billings
Assisted living costs an average of $4,100 per month in Billings. This is $200 cheaper than the U.S. average of $4,300 and $113 less expensive than the $4,213 median for Montana.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities
Billings is the pricier city in Montana for assisted living. To the northwest in Great Falls, rates are almost $250 lower at $3,857. Further west in Missoula, the average rate is somewhat closer at $3,913. In neighboring Idaho, assisted living in Idaho Falls costs an average of $3,673, or $427 less than what seniors pay in Billings. The average is much higher in Casper, Wyoming, where assisted living costs $5,550 per month.
$4100
Billings
$4213
Montana
$4300
The United States
$3857
Great Falls
$3913
Missoula
$3673
Idaho Falls, ID
$5550
Casper, WY
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Seniors in Billings have several options when it comes to long-term care. For $5,139 per month, or about $1,000 more than the cost of assisted living, retirees can get homemaker services in the comfort of their own home. Home health care, which also provides limited medical services, costs the same. Adult day health care provided at a community-based center is the most affordable option at just $2,080 per month. Seniors who need 24-hour skilled care can expect to pay $7,756 for a semiprivate room and $8,060 for a private room in a nursing home.
$5139
Homemaker Services
$5139
Home Health Aide
$2080
Adult Day Health Care
$4100
Assisted Living Facility
$7756
Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)
$8060
Nursing Home Facility (private room)
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Billings
Those who are living in Billings will be eligible and can apply to a number of different programs created by the State of Montana to help with senior care. Most notably is the Big Sky Home and Community Based Services Program, also known as the Elderly/Physically Disabled Waiver.
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 Montana page.
Free Assisted Living Resources in Billings
There are a variety of resources available for residents of Billings’ assisted living facilities and those who are planning a transition to long-term care. These resources are provided by nonprofit organizations and government agencies across Yellowstone County.
The Area II Agency on Aging provides information about local senior services and counseling on Medicare, Social Security and other important resources for seniors as they age. It offers representative payee services for seniors who need help managing their money, which can be used to pay for housing, medical needs, personal care items and other necessities on an individual’s behalf.
Veterans can contact the Billings Vet Center to learn about and apply for disability compensation, pensions and other benefits they may be eligible to receive. The Billings Vet Center also offers mental health and substance abuse support groups several times a week.
This nonprofit organization provides self-help legal resources and free advice about civil law concerns for residents of Yellowstone County. Some of the issues its attorneys may be able to help with include advance care directives, wills, tax disputes and elder neglect. Seniors must apply and meet income requirements to get free legal aid; self-help resources are available to people of all income levels.
At the Billings Community and Senior Center, residents will find enrichment classes, wellness screenings, social clubs and a full schedule of fun activities. It also offers nutrition education and balance training, as well as yoga sessions and low-impact exercise programs.
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Billings
Billings-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Montana are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Montana page for more information about these laws.
My mother was a resident at Tender Nest for almost a year. With only a few exceptions, I had no problems with the caregivers. Most were caring and compassionate with the residents. Unfortunately...
Read more
Review of MorningStar Senior Living of Billings
MorningStar Senior Living of Billings is a friendly and inviting community. The staff was very helpful and the rooms were nice. They were great. They have an ice cream parlor and all kinds of stuff...
Read more
Review of MorningStar Senior Living of Billings
My Dad lives in The Memory Care Facility and My Mom lives in The Assisted Living with a private room.
I was uneasy about having my parents be away from their home, but both areas of living take ...
Read more
The decision to help an aging adult move out of a current home is a complex one -- both emotionally and practically. Above all, you want the person to be safe and well. How can you all feel more co...
The first step to finding the best senior housing for your loved one is to understand what type of care facility is the best fit. There are six main types of residential elder care options:
_[Inde...
As you're weighing senior care options for your loved one, cost is likely a top factor. The good news? Depending on what care your loved one needs, assisted living can be much more affordable than ...
If you're shopping for assisted living, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the levels of care, as the monthly rate for assisted living will depend on the level of care that the resident requi...