Communities in San Francisco, CA

At $7,897 per month, the cost of memory care in San Francisco is significantly higher than the state average of $6,562 and the national average of $5,625. Both Los Angeles and Sacramento offer more affordable memory care at $6,562 and $6,531. Santa Rosa has the least affordable memory care in the state, costing an average of $8,810 per month.

The cost of memory care is typically 20-30% higher than that of assisted living care, and it is often added on as an extra service at assisted living facilities. For the following figures, the memory care costs will be calculated by adding on 25% to the assisted living figures in the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in California page.

For those who aren’t quite in need of a memory care facility, assisted living typically costs around $6,319, and for seniors who only require weekday assistance, adult day health care is the most affordable option, costing $1,950 per month. There are also care options for seniors wishing to remain living at home, such as homemaker services, which costs an average of $6,864 per month and home health aide, which costs $7,150 per month on average. For the highest level of care, there are nursing homes. A private room typically costs $14,068 per month, and a semiprivate room typically costs $11,566 per month. 

The California Department of Social Services’ Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) and Continuing Care Contracts Branch oversees memory care facilities in San Francisco and the state of California. It ensures that they comply with laws and regulations through checking licensing and carrying out inspections. 

• San Francisco boasts one of the most inclusive health care systems in the nation. Healthy San Francisco is an initiative run by the San Francisco Department of Health that offers free health care to residents who cannot afford private health care. The city and the surrounding area have 16 hospitals, including UCSF Medical Center, which has been ranked in the top 10 in the country. It has a Center for Geriatric Care that has doctors specialized in caring for seniors. 
• Crime rates in San Francisco are relatively high. For violent crime, the city has a rate of 5.63 per 1,000 residents compared to the state average of 4.4. When it comes to property crime, the rates in San Francisco are significantly higher than the California average, at 45.09 per 1,000 residents compared to 21.3. Although crime rates are high, as can be expected for a city of its size, seniors can still feel safe living in San Francisco. Memory Care Communities implement safety measures such as 24/7 video surveillance and around-the-clock staffing to enhance security for seniors. 
• San Francisco has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. Thanks to the cold current that flows along the coast of California, the city never gets too hot in summer, but it can cause a lot of fog. During spring, summer and fall, seniors can take advantage of the pleasant conditions and spend time outside in the fresh air. In winter, it can be a bit colder and rainier and therefore seniors may prefer indoor activities during these months. 
• California is not a tax-friendly state for retirees. Retirement accounts and private and public pensions are taxed at some of the highest rates in the country. California also has one of the highest sales tax rates in the nation. However, Social Security benefits are exempt from taxation. 
• San Francisco has a high cost of living. Across all areas, the only area where San Francisco is cheaper than the U.S. average is utilities. For health care, the cost is only marginally higher than the national average, but for housing, the average costs are exponentially higher than the U.S. and California state averages. Luckily there are various federal grants seniors can access to assist them with costs.