The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Johnson City, TN for 2024

For seniors in Johnson City, assisted living provides a comfortable, low-maintenance environment. This long-term care option features studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, daily meals, recreational activities and individualized care plans, helping older adults enjoy a worry-free retirement. Monthly rates vary depending on amenities and services, but the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey reports that on average, older adults in Johnson City pay $4,100 monthly for assisted living. This is on par with Tennessee’s average and several hundred dollars lower than the national rate.

This guide provides more information on assisted living in Johnson City, including benefits and drawbacks of living in this city, common ways seniors pay for assisted living and some local resources to help seniors navigate the system.

The Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Health Care Facilities, licenses and monitors assisted living facilities in Johnson City and the rest of the state. It publishes up-to-date information on rules assisted living facilities must follow as well as disease-control measures. It also has contact information for the statewide abuse registry and gives instructions on how to file complaints. 

• Tennessee doesn’t levy income taxes, so seniors in Johnson City only pay federal income taxes on their retirement income, simplifying the tax filing process and allowing them to put more income toward assisted living expenses. Property taxes in Tennessee are low, which may result in more competitive pricing for residential care. 
• Johnson City is a very affordable place to live, making it a good option for older adults with limited retirement budgets. On a 100-point cost of living index, the city scores 82 versus the state score of 87.6. This indicates that overall living expenses are about 18% lower than the national median and nearly 6% lower than Tennessee as a whole. 
• Based on most recent FBI crime data, instances of violent crime occur significantly less in Johnson City compared to the rest of Tennessee, but property crime is somewhat prevalent. In 2019, violent crime occurred at a rate of about 426 instances per capita, compared to respective state and national rates of 595 and 379. Property crime is more common with a frequency of 3,557 instances per capita versus 2,653 statewide and 2,110 nationally. Assisted living facilities provide a safe, secured environment for seniors and may be a preferred alternative to living alone. 
• On a 10-point comfort index, Johnson City scores 8.4 compared to the national average of 7.8, indicating that it has generally comfortable weather throughout the year. Summers are warm with daytime temperatures in the mid-80s, and humidity is low throughout the year except in July when conditions tend to be muggy. Winters are cold with low temperatures in the mid-20s. Assisted living facilities organize indoor and outdoor recreational activities year-round, helping residents stay comfortable and engaged. 
• Health care costs in Johnson City exceed the national average by about 5%, but high access to health care services makes the city a prime option for those managing chronic conditions. Per capita, there are 485 doctors, more than double the national median of 210. Two hospitals within the city include Johnson City Medical Center and Franklin Woods Community Hospital. 

Assisted living communities in Johnson City charge residents approximately $4,100 per month for housing and personal care.

In Johnson City, assisted living residents pay $4,100 per month for services, making this a moderately priced option for senior care. In Tennessee, overall care costs are comparable at $4,105 per month. Nationally, seniors pay $4,500 for assisted living. Clarksville seniors pay $3,215 for assisted living, and in Memphis, rates are a little higher than in Johnson City at $4,200 per month. Seniors in Kingsport pay $4,445 for care, and in Cleveland, assisted living facilities charge $4,835 per month. 

Senior care is competitively priced in Johnson City. Adult day health care is the most economical option at $1,083 per month, and those who arrange for in-home care or skilled home health care pay $4,004 for monthly services. Assisted living is a little costlier at $4,100 but includes living expenses such as housing, meals, recreational activities and personal care, making it an affordable option for many seniors. For those who need short-term or intermittent skilled nursing services, assisted living is a cost-effective alternative to nursing home care, which costs $7,559 per month for semiprivate accommodations. 

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 Tennessee page.