Assisted Living Communities in Watertown, New York

Assisted Living costs in Watertown start around $0 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of assisted living is $4,000 per month, according to the latest figures from Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey.

It’s important to note that assisted living rates in Watertown and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

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 New York page.

Watertown is home to over 25,000 people, including a senior community that makes up an estimated 12% of the population. The city is home to world-class medical facilities, including Samaritan Medical Center, in the event of medical emergencies or illness.  

Seniors who need around-the-clock care may reside in one of Watertown's three assisted living facilities, which are officially called adult care facilities. These facilities are governed by New York's Department of Health.

• Watertown is a budget-friendly city to live in, which may make it a good option for seniors with limited resources. The cost of living here is about 15% below the national average and 45% below the statewide average. Affordable housing is the biggest contributing factor, but healthcare is also relatively inexpensive here at 5% below the national and statewide median.  
  
• Violent crime occurs in Watertown at a slightly higher rate than in the United States as a whole, rating 26.1 on a 100-point index versus the national average of 22.7. The city's property crime rate is nearly 30 points higher than the national average at 61.6. Seniors who are moving here may want to find an assisted living facility that is equipped with security equipment like security cameras. 
  
• Summers in Watertown are comfortable with highs around 80 degrees, but winters are very cold with lows around 9 degrees. It receives 102 inches of snowfall per year on average, which may be a concern for seniors who rely on mobility aids.  
  
• The air quality in Watertown is rated about 10 points higher than the national median on a 100-point index, indicating cleaner-than-average air. This could benefit seniors who have conditions like asthma or COPD. 
  
• Public transportation in Watertown is provided by Citibus, which operates several fixed routes throughout the region. Riders who are unable to ride the regular wheelchair-accessible buses may qualify to ride on the paratransit bus. 
  
• While New York has relatively high sales and property tax rates, the state's income tax laws are retiree-friendly. Income from Social Security and public pensions are tax-exempt, and there is a large deduction available for private pension income and withdrawals from retirement accounts. This may leave more money in the budget for assisted living in Watertown. 

Note: Data reported on this page was updated in 2019 and based on the latest 2018 figures.