The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Auburn, WA for 2023

Auburn is a suburb of Seattle in the west-central region of Washington. This large city is home to over 81,000 people and has a senior community that accounts for about one in 10 residents. It’s a prime retirement destination for those seeking a comfortable climate and access to affordable healthcare, and amenities such as its local senior center and city-funded senior transportation system maximizes its livability for older adults.

For those unable to safely live alone, assisted living provides a budget-friendly alternative. These residential care facilities provide daily meals and snacks, recreational activities and individualized personal care services, balancing comfort and privacy for seniors. According to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, local seniors pay $5,000 per month for assisted living services in Auburn, which is higher than the national median but affordable compared to the rest of the state. 

This guide provides more in-depth information on assisted living costs in Auburn, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of living here. It also introduces the services and agencies that serve older adults in the region.

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Aging and Long-Term Support Administration, licenses and regulates assisted living facilities in Auburn as well as those in the rest of the state. This department has a range of policies and laws to ensure a high standard of care for all residents.

• Auburn’s cost of living is nearly 30% higher than the national median and 10% higher than the statewide average, indicating that it’s among the more expensive places in Washington to live in. Housing and transportation expenses are high, but seniors may be able to reduce their monthly expenses by transitioning to assisted living.  
• Washington’s lack of state income tax means that seniors only pay federal income tax on their retirement income. Property taxes are consistent with the national average, which may benefit seniors who want to retain ownership of their homes after moving to assisted living.  
• In Auburn, violent crime rates are lower at 21.4 compared to the national median of 22.7. Property crime is much higher than the national average, but the rate has been trending downwards for the past two decades. Many assisted living facilities also have security measures in place to keep residents safe. 
• Auburn’s climate is rated slightly better than the national average of a 10-point comfort index, indicating that it may be well-suited for those who enjoy being outdoors. Winters are chilly, with lows in the mid-30s and five inches of snowfall, but the weather is very comfortable for the rest of the year. Summers are mild with highs in the upper-70s, which is average compared to the rest of the state.  
• Healthcare is affordable and accessible in Auburn, which may benefit those managing chronic conditions. There are about 308 doctors per 100,000 people, compare to the national average of 210. The region is home to high-performing hospitals such as St. Francis Hospital and MultiCare Auburn Medical Center, which provides emergency services and primary and specialty care. Healthcare costs are about 20% cheaper here than in the United States as a whole.  
• Assisted living facilities in Washington aren’t required to provide transportation for residents. To meet this need, Auburn has a volunteer-based transportation service for those aged 60 and over, helping them attend medical appointments and run errands. To arrange transportation, seniors should call Volunteer Transportation for Seniors at (206) 448-5740.

Seniors in Auburn pay $5,000 per month on average for assisted living. This is several hundred dollars higher than the national rate of $4,300, but it’s $750 lower than the state median of $5,750.

In Spokane, local facilities charge $5,084 per month, and in the Olympia area, monthly rates are a little higher at $5,138. Seniors in Wenatchee pay $5,473 for services, and the Mount Vernon area is the most expensive surveyed region in the state for assisted living with monthly rates at $5,850.

Assisted living is among the cheapest senior care options in Auburn at $5,000 per month. Only adult day health care is cheaper. While local cost data isn’t available, statewide, seniors pay approximately $2,167 per month for services. Homemaker services, which offer a similar scope of care to assisted living in the individual’s own home, is costlier at $6,340. Home health aide services is comparable to homemaker services but also includes some skilled nursing for $6,435. Nursing homes charge the highest monthly fees of $10,646 for shared rooms and $12,167 for a private room.

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 Washington page.