Tacoma sits on the Puget Sound approximately 30 miles southwest of Seattle and boasts a wide selection of activities indoors and out. From beachcombing to theater performances and its world-renowned glass art community, Tacoma offers many options for seniors who enjoy an active lifestyle. The city’s population of 219,346 includes 13% of residents aged 60 and older and offers plenty of senior-friendly living.
When elders can no longer care for themselves at home, assisted living communities provide personal care, housekeeping and companionship in a homelike setting. Staff members at these communities help with daily living needs and provide social activities and wellness options, such as exercise and medication management. Assisted living is a less expensive alternative to nursing home care, which includes a higher level of medical care and around-the-clock supervision. Seniors in Tacoma who opt to live in an assisted living facility pay an average monthly cost of $5,750, which is lower than the state average of $6,000.
This guide provides information and costs for assisted living in Tacoma and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of living in the city. It also includes costs for additional long-term care options and a list of free resources for seniors.
8201 6th Ave., Tacoma, WA, 98406
4.9
(20 reviews)
"I toured Cogir at the Narrows. It was like I was walking into a high-class hotel. The grounds were very clean. The apartments were very nice. The staff who toured me was very knowledgeable and pleasant to talk with. The dining area was lovely. I s..."
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4970 Main Street, Tacoma, WA, 98407
4.6
(14 reviews)
"We will be moving into GenCare LifeStyle at Point Ruston. The facility is excellent. It's almost brand new. It was only opened up just before the pandemic. The apartment is excellent. It hasn't been lived in yet, so we're the first occupants. We'r..."
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3615 South 23rd Street, Tacoma, WA, 98405
4.4
(14 reviews)
"I went to Brookdale Allenmore (23rd Street). The people that I met with were great. The facility is fantastic. It is a little more expensive. The other place was $1,000 cheaper. I am looking specifically for studios. The reason why I am looking at..."
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9723 Steele St S, Tacoma, WA, 98444
4.0
(1 reviews)
"I did a tour of Charlton Place. It was a nice and clean community, and with friendly people. Everything was OK. The rooms were very nice, and very large. The studios were very large, and everything was very accommodating as far as the bathrooms, s..."
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1124 N Jackson Ave., Tacoma, WA, 98406
"Bay Bridge Care Home is a privately owned family home overlooking the Puget Sound and both the new and old Narrows Bridges throughout the li..."
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18523 38th Ave. E, Tacoma, WA, 98446
"Vistra Care Adult Family Home LLC began operations way back in August 2019— where residents around and beyond Tacoma, Washington, gained acc..."
READ MORECaring's Family Advisors are here to help you with questions about senior living and care options.
7290 Rosemount Circle, Tacoma, WA, 98465
4.5
(21 reviews)
"My mom and stepdad stayed at Merrill Gardens at Tacoma. It was a great location. It's a beautiful facility. They were very good during the pandemic. Everybody was very friendly. The food there is wonderful. My stepdad raved about the food. It was ..."
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4707 South Orchard St., Tacoma, WA, 98466
4.2
(19 reviews)
"I visited my late friend at the village often for just over a year. The staff were always attentive to his needs. They kept him active and involved despite him being antisocial. He was mad to be put in a senior home at first but grew to enjoy the..."
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11519 24th Avenue E, Tacoma, WA, 98445
4.8
(5 reviews)
"Pioneer Place of Tacoma is very clean, and the staff is very nice and caring. They take very good care of my grandmother, who is pleased to be there. They have bingo, singing, and different activities every day, and she enjoys them all. The dining..."
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6301 East Q Street, Tacoma, WA, 98404
5.0
(2 reviews)
"My 94 year old sister has been a resident at this facility for over a year. She moved here from a assisted living facility and Arbor Rose has been even better for her than I expected. It is small so each resident gets personal attention and care. ..."
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1630 East 63rd Street, Tacoma, WA, 98404
5.0
(2 reviews)
"I feel very fortunate my Mother was a resident of Arbor Rose. Tammy and her staff provided a loving and safe environment. Home cooked meals, fun activities and parties only added to the professional, clean, and kind home my Mother spent her las..."
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1021 138th St E, Tacoma, WA, 98445
5.0
(2 reviews)
"My mom has lived there for 4 years and we could not found a better home for her to live in. She is well loved and well taken care of. My constant communication with the owner is amazing. I visit my mom several times a week and I always feel welcom..."
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610 N Fife Street, Tacoma, WA, 98406
5.0
(1 reviews)
"I found the facility to be very well taken care of, the area was very clean, it even smelled clean. The food was pretty good, I will admit that it is a little bit limited, but the quality is decent. The staff was very polite and helpful, my grandf..."
READ MORE5401 Norpoint Way NE, Tacoma, WA, 98422
5.0
(1 reviews)
"Harbor View Adult Family Home was lovely. It's a small home with only five people. They cook all of their meals and it's very clean, very tidy, very pretty, and well-kept. They have a lovely deck in the backyard that looks out over the Puget Sound..."
READ MORE1146 N James Street, Tacoma, WA, 98406
5.0
(1 reviews)
"Grand Care Home was lovely. A couple owns it and it's a house where you will have your own bedroom. It's got a nice backyard and a view of the ocean right there. It's a lovely place with lovely people. They do jigsaw puzzles and it's got a TV for ..."
READ MORE1301 N Highlands Parkway, Tacoma, WA, 98406
3.3
(18 reviews)
"My mom was a resident of the Nursing Care Facility for 6.5 years. At first, things were good. When the new CEO came in things began to change. The quality of the food was horrid. She was always complaining about it. The food served to them was col..."
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242 St.Helens Avenue S, Tacoma, WA, 98402
4.7
(3 reviews)
"Mom seems to like Cascade Park Vista. She's very happy there and I'm quite happy with it. They take very good care of her and she loves the staff. The facilities are pretty nice. It's not a brand-new building, but they take good care of it. They t..."
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6016 N Highlands Pkwy, Tacoma, WA, 98406
4.7
(3 reviews)
"We toured Weatherly Inn Tacoma. We smelled the food and saw it. It's more expensive, and I don't think you get anything different than what you get at the other facility, but the facilities are much nicer. The location is wonderful. The apartments..."
READ MORE6856 E. Portland Avenue,, Tacoma, WA, 98404
4.5
(4 reviews)
"I am living at Spring Ridge. It's an extremely nice place, with very helpful attendants. Every day, there's about three different things we can do, from outings to Bingo games. The food is very well prepared with a lot of variety."
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8609 Portland Ave. East, Tacoma, WA, 98445
4.2
(5 reviews)
"Kings Manor is a Faith based, non-profit facility, and it has a wonderful, welcoming and family atmosphere about it. Our parents were in their 90s and in need of assistance, more than we kids could give. There are six of us children and we wanted ..."
READ MOREThe Washington State Department of Social and Health Services provides guidelines and licensing for assisted living facilities through its Aging and Long-Term Support Administration page. The agency ensures all rules and regulations are being adhered to by performing regularly scheduled facility inspections and unannounced visits.
The Genworth Cost of Care Survey reports an average monthly cost of $5,750 for assisted living in Tacoma compared to the Washington average of $6,000. When compared to the national average of $4,500, assisted living prices in Tacoma and Washington are much higher.
While Tacoma averages $5,750 monthly for assisted living, Seattle is $1,000 more expensive, averaging $6,750. Just south of Tacoma, the state capital of Olympia costs much less, averaging $4,805 a month. Further south on the Oregon border, Longview gets a bit more expensive at $5,300. Traveling north of Tacoma near the Canadian border, Mount Vernon averages $5,500 per month.
Tacoma
$5,750
Washington
$6,000
The United States
$4,500
Seattle
$6,750
Olympia
$4,805
Longview
$5,300
Mount Vernon
$5,500
Seniors who don’t need the 24/7 care of an assisted living residence and want to remain at home have options, including adult day health care that provides weekday help for seniors, including activities, wellness care and medication management. There’s no cost average reported for adult day health care in Bremerton, but the Washington average is $2,600. Homemaker services average $6,673 monthly, and home health aide care, which includes some medical care, averages $7,007. Seniors who require more advanced medical care may need the services of a nursing home, averaging $10,479 for a semiprivate room and $12,243 for a private room.
Homemaker Services
$6,673
Home Health Aide
$7,007
Assisted Living Facility
$5,750
Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)
$10,479
Nursing Home Facility (private room)
$12,243
Seniors residing in Washington can apply for financial assistance for assisted living through a few Medicaid programs. The Medicaid Personal Care (MPC) program and the Community First Choice Option (CFCO) provide financial support for personal care assistance and costs other than room and board. Washington also offers seniors Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waivers including the Washington Medical COPES (Community Options Program Entry System) Waiver for additional funding for assisted living.
Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Washington page.
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:
For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Washington page.
Tacoma provides free resources for seniors considering or living at an assisted living facility. Local government agencies and nonprofit groups provide support and services for seniors. Resources commonly include food and transportation support, activities and benefits counseling.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Pierce County Long-Term Care Ombudsman | (253) 798-3789 | The Pierce County Long-Term Care Ombudsman program enlists volunteers who advocate for residents' rights in long-term care facilities. These trained volunteers investigate complaints and mediate between residents and the facility to come to a resolution. Families, residents and employees at these facilities receive instruction about long-term care and resident rights from ombudsmen. |
| Senior Activity Centers | (253) 535-4202 | The City of Tacoma has contracted with the Korean Women’s Association to run both their senior centers. The Beacon Senior Activity Center and the Lighthouse Senior Activity Center provide Tacoma seniors with activities that include bingo, arts and crafts, wood carving and quilting classes. Additional classes are offered on subjects such as financial planning, benefits enrollment and nutrition. Free transportation is available for seniors in the Tacoma area to both centers. |
| Area Agency on Aging for Pierce County | (253) 798-4600 | The Area Agency on Aging for Pierce County plans and facilitates long-term services and support for older adults in Pierce County. The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is one of the agency's programs that provides information, education and care planning for seniors and people living with disabilities and their caregivers. |
| Beyond the Borders Transportation Services | (253) 476-4657 | Beyond the Borders Transportation provides eligible passengers with free rides when they live outside of the Pierce Transit service area. Seniors have transportation access for medical services, shopping and errands. The service is available for those who are aged 65 and older, disabled or low-income residents. |
Tacoma Assisted Living Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Assisted Living Facilities in Washington are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Washington page for more information about these laws.
