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Independent Living in Nevada
Located in the southwest portion of the United States, Nevada offers year-round sunshine, casinos, golf courses, outdoor recreation and a low cost of living. Compared to the national average, seniors in Nevada can expect to pay less for healthcare and utilities. The state also has some of the best tax benefits for retirees, including no income tax and no tax on 401Ks and IRAs. Nevada is also home to the Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon and the Bellagio Conservatory. With approximately 252 sunny days per year, the state offers plenty of sunshine for active seniors to explore the local sites.
Seniors who want to live independently in a community without worrying about landscaping and home upkeep. Housekeeping, laundry and meals typically aren’t included in the monthly rent but may be available for additional costs. Independent living communities are those for older adults 55 and older that provide convenient access to medical care, dining and entertainment while allowing them to socialize with others of the same age. Independent living in Nevada costs around $2,337 per month.
This guide covers the cost of surrounding cities and provides a list of resources available for seniors in the state.
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The Cost of Independent Living in Nevada
When trying to decide how to pay for independent living, one of the first questions that comes up is "How much does it cost?" With the impact of inflation, it's more important than ever to have up-to-date information when making a financial plan for senior living.
Note: Official data on the cost of Independent Living arrangements in the United States is not available. However, Independent Living is generally 30% to 40% less expensive than Assisted Living. Therefore, to arrive at Independent Living costs, we have reduced the Assisted Living rates found in the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey by 35%.
Nevada residents pay an average of $2,438 per month for Independent Living accommodations, which is several hundred dollars lower than the national average of $2,925. Neighboring Utah has a slightly lower median rate at $2,275, but otherwise, the surrounding states are pricier than Nevada. Idaho’s average monthly rate is $2,495, Arizona’s is $2,600 and Oregon’s is $3,280. California is the priciest of Nevada’s bordering states, with a median cost of $3,413 for Independent Living.
Inflation has had an effect on independent living costs in Nevada. From 2022-2024, prices are projected to rise for independent care services from $2,476 to $2,593 monthly. This is a relatively small increase, relative to the national 18% hike over the same period. States show a wide variation in projected price changes. New Mexico, for example, expects a 61% increase from $1,962 to $3,154. Other states' estimates are more modest, such as the 10% increase in California or the 5% increase in Alaska. Wyoming actually projects an overall decrease, from $2,723 to $2,200.
| Location | 2022 Cost (Historical) | 2023 Cost (Current) | 2024 Cost (Estimated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | $2,476 | $2,463 | $2,593 |
| U.S. Average | $2,810 | $2,955 | $3,162 |
| New Mexico | $1,962 | $2,961 | $3,154 |
| Wyoming | $2,723 | $2,065 | $2,200 |
| Alaska | $4,509 | $4,485 | $4,724 |
| California | $3,481 | $3,556 | $3,823 |
The Costs of Other Types of Senior Living
Independent living is, at $2,463 a month, one of the more affordable options for senior care. Assisted living is more expensive, at $3,716, while the more intensive medical and therapeutic services of memory care tend to cost more, or $4,474 a month in Nevada.
Assisted Living
$3,716
Memory Care
$4,474
Independent Living
$2,463
Can You Use Medicare or Medicaid to Pay for Independent Living in Nevada?
Unfortunately, you cannot use Medicaid and Medicare to help pay the monthly fee for residing in an Independent Living community. For seniors who need help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), there may be financial assistance programs available to help cover the cost of care in Independent Living. For more information about financial assistance for those who need a higher level of care, read our guide to Assisted Living in Nevada.
Read on for more information about using alternative means to make Independent Living more affordable, such as retirement funds, the sale of a home, etc.
Paying for Independent Living in Nevada
The majority of seniors pay for independent living out of pocket. Aside from personal savings, there are multiple options to help older adults afford housing. Some prefer to sell their previous homes, while others opt for reverse mortgages. Social Security benefits and pensions may help cover some independent living expenses, while those with disabilities may use part of their Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development also offers several programs, including housing choice vouchers, to help seniors locate safe and affordable living arrangements.
Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in Nevada
There are many resources in Nevada that assist seniors in their retirement. Caring.com has compiled information on local organizations, programs and agencies and categorized them into care types for easy reference.
Area Agency on Aging
Retirees can find support and advice on various senior-related issues from their local Area Agency on Aging. The agency provides advice on topics such as financial assistance programs, in-home care and long-term care planning. It also connects seniors and caregivers with community-based resources.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada Area Agencies on Aging | The Department of Health and Human Services Aging and Disability Services Division is based in Carson City and assists seniors throughout Nevada. Adult Protective Services falls under this division, as does the Nevada State Long Term Care Ombudsman program. The Office of Community Living offers waivers to seniors for in-home services, such as personal care assistance, a homemaker, an adult companion, transportation and personal emergency response systems. Caregivers can also find relief with respite care and adult day care centers. |
Cash Assistance Programs
Cash assistance programs in Nevada provide financial support to help low-income retirees remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Seniors and caregivers can apply for tax rebates and reductions, discounts on vital services and help covering the cost of heating and cooling their home.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada Lifeline Program | 800-234-9473 | The LifeLine Program offers a discount on landline or mobile telephone service, ensuring that participants can stay in contact with loved ones. |
Food Assistance Programs
Local organizations help ensure elderly citizens have a balanced diet and receive essential vitamins and minerals to remain healthy. Through nutrition programs, congregate meals, home-delivered meals and food pantries, these programs help Nevada seniors afford the nutritious food they need.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada Meals on Wheels | Nevada Meals on Wheels is an umbrella organization that partners with food pantries to deliver hot, healthy meals to homebound seniors throughout the state. While Nevada MOW is not a direct provider of food, it maintains a national database that helps seniors find the program closest to them. Many MOW partners also provide congregate meal sites where seniors can enjoy a meal while socializing with their peers. |
Free Used Medical Equipment
Due to the high cost of purchasing new medical equipment, several organizations in Nevada collect lightly used medical devices such as wheelchairs, ramps and walkers and distribute them to local seniors and residents in need.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada Assistive Technology Resource Center (NATRC) | 800-216-7988 | The NATRC offers low and high-tech assistive technology to Nevada seniors in need. It loans the devices at no cost for two weeks, although participants can use multiple loans to extend this time if the device is not needed elsewhere. |
| Nevada CARE Chest | Care Chest provides medical equipment and supplies to northern Nevada residents who demonstrate financial need. It loans devices for as long as participants need them and can sometimes deliver them to the participant's home. The program also has a walk-in facility that can provide equipment on the spot with proof of identity, residence and income. |
Home Repair and Modifications
Seniors and those with disabilities can access a variety of local resources to help them pay for home repairs and modifications. Programs in Nevada have different eligibility criteria and often assist retirees by providing grants or loans.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada Home Modifications – RAMP | 702-648-3425 | Nevada Senior Services runs the RAMP program, which provides subsidized home modifications necessary for seniors to maintain the accessibility needed for independent living. The program seeks funding to help cover the costs for selected modifications. |
Social Security Offices
Social Security offices in Nevada help seniors and disabled people access the benefits they're entitled to. Older adults can contact their local office for information about receiving retirement benefits, disability allowance and Supplemental Security Income.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada Social Security | Social Security is a source of income available to retirees and people who can no longer work because of a disability. The money for Social Security comes from a payroll tax levied on employers, employees and self-employed individuals. When you retire, you'll receive monthly payments based on how much you earned when you were working. |
Tax Assistance
Seniors can apply for tax assistance from several Nevada resources. Elderly residents and those with disabilities could be eligible for tax exemptions on medical expenses, reductions on property tax and other tax assistance programs.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada Blind Exemption | Seniors who are legally blind can apply for the Blind Exemption. The assessed value for this exemption starts at $4,380 but goes as high as $7,300 if combined with the Veteran's Exemption or the Surviving Spouse Exemption. This exemption requires a new application every year. | |
| Nevada Surviving Spouse Exemption | Widowed seniors may qualify for the Surviving Spouse Exemption, which offers an assessed value of $1,460. They must file an exemption each year to apply. | |
| Nevada Veteran's Exemption | Seniors who have served in the military could qualify for the Veteran's Exemption and receive a property tax reduction based on their home's assessed value. The assessed value reduction starts at $2,920 but can increase to $29,200 if there are additional factors such as disability and blindness. They must submit a new application each year. |
Utility & Energy Bill Assistance
Low-income seniors who are struggling to meet the costs of maintaining their homes can find support from organizations that offer assistance with utility and energy bills. Nevada retirees could also qualify for emergency funding programs if they're in danger of losing utility services due to unpaid invoices.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada Energy Assistance Program | The Nevada Energy Assistance Program assists eligible state seniors with financial help for energy costs. Its calendar year runs from July 1 to June 30, but interested individuals can apply anytime. Only one payment is permitted for each qualifying household during a calendar year, and seniors must fall within a specific income range to be eligible. Applicants are required to submit requested details and supporting documentation, including proof of residency and the amount of cash assistance needed. |
Veteran's Services
Nevada retirees who have served in the U.S. military can find support from local veteran services. These offices and organizations help vets access the benefits they're eligible for and provide advice and information on a variety of issues.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada VA Benefits and Health Care | Seniors who are qualified veterans can receive services from the Nevada VA Benefits and Health Care office. This state-wide program provides a wide range of benefits to veterans, including medical care services, supplemental income and the potential for long-term care services. Nevada's VA Medical Centers are in Reno and Las Vegas. |
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Independent Living in Nevada
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