Located in the southern region of Washington, just 6 miles from the Washington/Oregon border, Walla Walla is a beautiful city surrounded by rolling hills and views of the Blue Mountains. Dubbed the town so nice, they named it twice, Walla Walla is known for its revitalized Main Street and over a dozen public parks and recreation facilities. It has nearly 33,000 residents and a senior community that makes up about 17% of the population. Older adults choose Walla Walla for their retirement years for the city’s comfortable climate, affordability and high access to health care.
For many seniors, assisted living enables them to maintain their safety, comfort and privacy while receiving the care services they need. These residential facilities feature daily meals and snacks, personal care services and recreational activities, and many have additional benefits, such as pools, indoor and outdoor common areas and pet-friendly policies. The Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey reports that in Walla Walla, assisted living rates are among the cheapest in the state and nation at $3,800 per month.
This guide outlines the benefits and drawbacks of living in Walla Walla and highlights the cost of local senior care services. It also summarizes the agencies and programs that provide free and low-cost services and supports to older adults.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Walla Walla, WA
1018 Whitman Street, Walla Walla, WA, 99362
Whitman Place in Walla Walla, Washington, is a pet-friendly facility tucked beside Pioneer Park Aviary, where residents can enjoy walks and picnics. Other local amenities include shops, restaurants an
… (read more)
Whitman Place in Walla Walla, Washington, is a pet-friendly facility tucked beside Pioneer Park Aviary, where residents can enjoy walks and picnics. Other local amenities include shops, restaurants and four churches serving different faiths. Visitors to the facility note that the resident apartments have a bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette and point out the general cleanliness of the facility. Residents have access to a communal dining area, which reportedly is well-appointed and attractive. Daily devotional services, yoga, knitting and movie nights are some of the activities seniors can enjoy.
(read less)
Whitman Place in Walla Walla, Washington, is a pet-friendly facility tucked beside Pioneer Park Aviary, where residents can enjoy walks and picnics. Other local amenities include shops, restaurants an
… (read more)
Whitman Place in Walla Walla, Washington, is a pet-friendly facility tucked beside Pioneer Park Aviary, where residents can enjoy walks and picnics. Other local amenities include shops, restaurants and four churches serving different faiths. Visitors to the facility note that the resident apartments have a bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette and point out the general cleanliness of the facility. Residents have access to a communal dining area, which reportedly is well-appointed and attractive. Daily devotional services, yoga, knitting and movie nights are some of the activities seniors can enjoy.
(read less)
1460 Dalles Military Rd., Walla Walla, WA, 99362
Brookdale Walla Walla is located in the southwestern part of Walla Walla, Washington, just minutes away from the Fort Walla Walla Disc Golf Course and Dog Park. Residents and their loved ones apprecia
… (read more)
Brookdale Walla Walla is located in the southwestern part of Walla Walla, Washington, just minutes away from the Fort Walla Walla Disc Golf Course and Dog Park. Residents and their loved ones appreciate the friendly and positive demeanor of the staff members and find the decor to be calming and welcoming. Living areas feature a lookout that allows residents to observe animals, and the dining area receives praise for serving quality meals and catering to vegetarians. Amenities include a garden, library and walking paths, and residents engage in several activities, such as card games, group trips and exercise classes.
(read less)
Brookdale Walla Walla is located in the southwestern part of Walla Walla, Washington, just minutes away from the Fort Walla Walla Disc Golf Course and Dog Park. Residents and their loved ones apprecia
… (read more)
Brookdale Walla Walla is located in the southwestern part of Walla Walla, Washington, just minutes away from the Fort Walla Walla Disc Golf Course and Dog Park. Residents and their loved ones appreciate the friendly and positive demeanor of the staff members and find the decor to be calming and welcoming. Living areas feature a lookout that allows residents to observe animals, and the dining area receives praise for serving quality meals and catering to vegetarians. Amenities include a garden, library and walking paths, and residents engage in several activities, such as card games, group trips and exercise classes.
(read less)
1500 Catherine Street, Walla Walla, WA, 99362
Nestled in the heart of historic Walla Walla, Washington, Wheatland Village is located across from Walla Walla General Hospital and close to a golf course and shopping centers. Residents and their lov
… (read more)
Nestled in the heart of historic Walla Walla, Washington, Wheatland Village is located across from Walla Walla General Hospital and close to a golf course and shopping centers. Residents and their loved ones give high marks to the facility for its caring, compassionate staff members, good location and spacious, cottage-style apartments. They also note the number of amenities provided, such as the swimming pool, beauty salon and ice cream and coffee shop. Many activities are available to keep residents active, including exercise classes, movie nights at the on-site theater and religious services in the chapel.
(read less)
Nestled in the heart of historic Walla Walla, Washington, Wheatland Village is located across from Walla Walla General Hospital and close to a golf course and shopping centers. Residents and their lov
… (read more)
Nestled in the heart of historic Walla Walla, Washington, Wheatland Village is located across from Walla Walla General Hospital and close to a golf course and shopping centers. Residents and their loved ones give high marks to the facility for its caring, compassionate staff members, good location and spacious, cottage-style apartments. They also note the number of amenities provided, such as the swimming pool, beauty salon and ice cream and coffee shop. Many activities are available to keep residents active, including exercise classes, movie nights at the on-site theater and religious services in the chapel.
(read less)
534 Boyer Ave, Walla Walla, WA, 99362
Set within a tree-lined, residential neighborhood, Washington Odd Fellows Home in Walla Walla, Washington, is a three-minute drive from Pioneer Park, which features an aviary, duck pond and walking pa
… (read more)
Set within a tree-lined, residential neighborhood, Washington Odd Fellows Home in Walla Walla, Washington, is a three-minute drive from Pioneer Park, which features an aviary, duck pond and walking paths. Those who visit this facility mention the cleanliness of the rooms and point out the helpful, caring staff members. Family members appreciate the many activities available to their loved ones, such as bingo, tours, shopping excursions and outdoor sporting games. Residents enjoy watching movies, making projects in the crafts room and having a relaxing time at the on-site beauty salon. Relatives say the food is good.
(read less)
Set within a tree-lined, residential neighborhood, Washington Odd Fellows Home in Walla Walla, Washington, is a three-minute drive from Pioneer Park, which features an aviary, duck pond and walking pa
… (read more)
Set within a tree-lined, residential neighborhood, Washington Odd Fellows Home in Walla Walla, Washington, is a three-minute drive from Pioneer Park, which features an aviary, duck pond and walking paths. Those who visit this facility mention the cleanliness of the rooms and point out the helpful, caring staff members. Family members appreciate the many activities available to their loved ones, such as bingo, tours, shopping excursions and outdoor sporting games. Residents enjoy watching movies, making projects in the crafts room and having a relaxing time at the on-site beauty salon. Relatives say the food is good.
(read less)
550 E Whitman Dr, College Place, WA, 99324
Brookdale College Place is located in College Place, Washington, home to the Walla Walla University, Fort Walla Walla Museum and Foundry Vineyards. The senior living community receives high marks from
… (read more)
Brookdale College Place is located in College Place, Washington, home to the Walla Walla University, Fort Walla Walla Museum and Foundry Vineyards. The senior living community receives high marks from residents and their loved ones for its beauty and good, caring staff members. They refer to the facility as a very nice place with a library and plenty of activities for residents, such as bingo and card games. Community members celebrate holidays and special occasions with parties and luncheons. An ice cream parlor, walking paths and a beauty and barber shop are three of the amenities provided at the facility.
(read less)
Brookdale College Place is located in College Place, Washington, home to the Walla Walla University, Fort Walla Walla Museum and Foundry Vineyards. The senior living community receives high marks from
… (read more)
Brookdale College Place is located in College Place, Washington, home to the Walla Walla University, Fort Walla Walla Museum and Foundry Vineyards. The senior living community receives high marks from residents and their loved ones for its beauty and good, caring staff members. They refer to the facility as a very nice place with a library and plenty of activities for residents, such as bingo and card games. Community members celebrate holidays and special occasions with parties and luncheons. An ice cream parlor, walking paths and a beauty and barber shop are three of the amenities provided at the facility.
(read less)
1010 NE 3rd Ave, Milton-Freewater, OR, 97862
I went to Cascade Valley. My mom is kind of on the bubble of assisted living and memory care, especially a month ago. She’s improved since then. Cascade was sort of my second choice because it had bot
… (read more)
I went to Cascade Valley. My mom is kind of on the bubble of assisted living and memory care, especially a month ago. She’s improved since then. Cascade was sort of my second choice because it had both services. It also offered a full vegetarian menu. It was a very nice facility. I went into both facilities. It seemed nice. The only reason why I didn’t choose it is that it was a little bit farther away. I could only see my mother if she came out to the lobby, and we talked there or outside. The staff was very helpful and has followed up several times with me, emailed me, and called me. I would have put my mother there, but it just wasn’t quite the right fit at the time. It is on my list for maybe the next step.
I looked at studio apartments. In an assisted living and memory care, there’s a lot more things offered. I can put my mother there and walk away. I can’t do that at the other place because I have to be very involved in her care. It’s full service. It’s a beautiful facility and very clean. It seemed very active, especially in the memory care section. They were involving the residents in some sort of activity when I was there. I don’t exactly know what they were doing, but it seemed very active. I can’t really rate the food, but one of the reasons why it is on my list is because of the food though. Without knowing what happens after a person moved in, I really can’t rate the food.
(read less)
I went to Cascade Valley. My mom is kind of on the bubble of assisted living and memory care, especially a month ago. She’s improved since then. Cascade was sort of my second choice because it had bot
… (read more)
I went to Cascade Valley. My mom is kind of on the bubble of assisted living and memory care, especially a month ago. She’s improved since then. Cascade was sort of my second choice because it had both services. It also offered a full vegetarian menu. It was a very nice facility. I went into both facilities. It seemed nice. The only reason why I didn’t choose it is that it was a little bit farther away. I could only see my mother if she came out to the lobby, and we talked there or outside. The staff was very helpful and has followed up several times with me, emailed me, and called me. I would have put my mother there, but it just wasn’t quite the right fit at the time. It is on my list for maybe the next step.
I looked at studio apartments. In an assisted living and memory care, there’s a lot more things offered. I can put my mother there and walk away. I can’t do that at the other place because I have to be very involved in her care. It’s full service. It’s a beautiful facility and very clean. It seemed very active, especially in the memory care section. They were involving the residents in some sort of activity when I was there. I don’t exactly know what they were doing, but it seemed very active. I can’t really rate the food, but one of the reasons why it is on my list is because of the food though. Without knowing what happens after a person moved in, I really can’t rate the food.
(read less)
What to Consider About Assisted Living in Walla Walla
The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services licenses assisted living facilities in Walla Walla, as well as the rest of Washington. This department ensures a high standard of care by overseeing caregiver background checks and enforcing regulations regarding care planning, recreational activities and staff training.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Walla Walla
- The cost of living in Walla Walla is generally low, with local overall expenses coming in 7% below the national average and about 25% below the state median. Transportation-related expenses, such as public transportation, gasoline and auto insurance, are among the lowest in the state and nation. Housing is expensive here, which may make assisted living a good option for those with budgetary considerations.
- Property taxes are average in Walla Walla, and the sales tax rate is high. However, the state doesn’t impose an income tax, so seniors only pay federal taxes on pension income, Social Security benefits and withdrawals from retirement savings accounts.
- Health care is affordable and accessible in Walla Walla, which may appeal to older adults and those managing chronic conditions. In general, health care expenses, such as doctor’s office visits, dental care and hospital stays, cost about 20% less than in the nation as a whole, and there are 297 doctors per 100,000 people versus the national average of 210 doctors. The city is home to Providence St. Mary Medical Center, an award-winning facility that specializes in diagnostic imaging, cancer care and heart health.
- Property and violent crime occur at a relatively high rate in Walla Walla compared to similarly sized cities in Washington. On a 100-point crime index, the city rates 24 for violent crime and 61 for property crime, compared to the respective national rates of 22.7 and 35.4. In general, both types of crime have been trending downward for the past two decades, which may provide peace of mind to older adults moving to this region during their retirement years.
- On a 10-point comfort index, Walla Walla rates a little higher than the nation at 7.4, indicating that it has a more pleasant year-round climate than most cities. Summers are warm with July highs near 90, but noticeable humidity is rare. While winters are chilly with January lows around 30 degrees, the city sees just 9 inches of annual snowfall, which may make it a good option for those with mobility challenges.
Paying for Assisted Living in Walla Walla
Walla Walla features competitively priced assisted living services, with citywide monthly fees averaging $3,800. This is several hundred dollars below the national median of $4,300 and nearly $2,000 lower than the state’s monthly rate of $5,750.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities
With assisted living fees averaging $3,800, Walla Walla is the most affordable surveyed city in Washington for this type of care. It’s an affordable alternative to Yakima, where rates are low compared to the state median but notably higher than the national average at $5,000. In the Olympia area, fees are higher still at $5,138, and in the Mount Vernon area, seniors pay close to the state average at $5,850. The Seattle area is the costliest Washington city to obtain care, with monthly fees averaging $6,750.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Assisted living is one of the cheapest senior care options in Walla Walla, with seniors paying approximately $3,800 per month for this type of care. Adult day health care tends to be cheaper, with seniors statewide paying $2,167 for monthly care. Home-based care, including homemaker services and skilled home health aide services, are considerably pricier at $5,802. Nursing homes charge the highest rates of $9,764 for shared rooms and $10,676 for private rooms.
Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)
Nursing Home Facility (private room)
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Walla Walla
There are Medicaid programs offered by the state of Washington to pay for the cost of ALF services in Walla Walla. Eligible seniors may qualify for the Community First Choice (CFC) State Plan or one of the Home and Community-Based Service 1915(c) waivers which are the Community Options Program Entry System (COPES), New Freedom and Residential Support waivers.
Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Washington page.
More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living
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.
Free Assisted Living Resources in Walla Walla
Researching assisted living options in Walla Walla is easier with the help of trained professionals. The following table features local nonprofit programs and agencies that help older adults make informed decisions regarding their care, including deciding which facility fits their needs and lifestyles and their best options for covering monthly expenses.
(509) 758-2355
(877) 961-2582
Aging & Long Term Care is a service of the Southeast Washington ALTC Council of Governments and the designated Area Agency on Aging for Walla Walla and the surrounding region. This nonprofit agency has an award-winning case management program that helps older adults connect with services and supports in the community to supplement what they receive in assisted living, including transportation services, durable medical equipment loans and nutrition counseling. It administers several health and wellness programs that promote disease prevention and support seniors’ independence, and it has benefits specialists who help older adults obtain the public benefits they’re entitled to, including those that can help cover assisted living expenses.
The Walla Walla Vet Center is operated by the Veterans’ Administration and provides assistance and advocacy to veterans in Walla Walla. The office’s experienced staff screens veterans for eligibility for benefits that can help cover assisted living, including the Aid and Attendance Benefit, disability compensation and pension programs. The office can also determine which veterans qualify for VA health care or veterans’ home placement.
The Blue Mountain Action Council is a local nonprofit organization that serves those in Walla Walla and the surrounding area. It houses the region’s long-term care ombudsman program, which advocates on behalf of those in assisted living. The ombudsman works with families to help them compare local assisted living communities and identify options for paying for services. The ombudsman can also help resolve issues, such as billing errors, problems with intake and discharge procedures or substandard quality of care.
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Walla Walla
Walla Walla-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Washington are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Washington page for more information about these laws.
