Assisted Living Communities in Scottsdale, AZ

The average costs of assisted living throughout Arizona range from a low of $3,800 in Yuma the southwestern part of the state to a high of $5,000 per month in the Northern Arizona community of Flagstaff. Those in Arizona’s southeastern corner in Sierra Vista pay an average of $4,150 per month, while their counterparts in the center of the state in Prescott pay $4,500. Residents of assisted living facilities in Arizona’s second-largest city, Tucson, pay an average of $4,050 per month. 

Seniors draw from public financial assistance and their own income and assets to pay for assisted living services. Relying on a mix of financial strategies promotes access to high-quality care, even as service needs evolve.

• Medicaid: The Arizona Long Term Care System, which operates under Medicaid, provides coverage for assisted living services as an alternative to nursing home care. Through ALTCS, qualified seniors receive financial assistance for personal care, nonemergency medical transportation, meals, and case management.
• Medicare: Like most health insurance plans, Medicare only covers medically required services, meaning it doesn’t apply to standard assisted living services. However, residents can use this coverage to pay for skilled nursing services they receive in assisted living.
• VA Benefits: Veterans may use Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits toward living and long-term care expenses, including housing and personal care in assisted living. Additionally, the VA’s Geriatrics and Extended Care program pays for various custodial services for qualified residents.
• Private Payments: Seniors rely on several forms of income and assets to pay for long-term care fees, including proceeds from home sales, monthly Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, pensions, and 401(k) accounts. Additionally, many long-term care insurance plans cover residential care.

Scottsdale seniors pay an average of $5,958 per month for in-home care and home health care, which provide similar services to assisted living facilities. Adult day health care is the least expensive option at $2,167, but it may not be appropriate for those who shouldn’t be left alone during the evening. Nursing home care is the most expensive care option at $6,418 per month in Scottsdale for a semiprivate room.

Assisted living and other long-term care facilities in Arizona are overseen by the Arizona Bureau of Residential Facilities Licensing. This agency maintains a searchable database of facilities in Arizona that lists their deficiencies and violations actions. There is also an online complaint form for suspected violations of these facilities. 

• With warm, dry conditions throughout the year, Scottsdale offers a comfortable environment for prospective assisted living residents sensitive to cold temperatures. Summers bring hot temperatures, with July’s average daily highs around 105 degrees Fahrenheit, but winters have mild temperatures ranging from 65 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Scottsdale’s high cost of living, which exceeds the national norm by almost 8%, may negatively impact assisted living costs. Fortunately, many local residences accept ALTCS, bringing down costs for seniors with limited financial resources.
• HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center is located on the east side of Scottsdale, near over half a dozen assisted living communities.
• Arizona taxes most forms of retirement income at a flat rate of 2.5%. However, it provides a full exemption for Social Security benefits and has an annual deduction of up to $2,500 on federal, Arizona and local pensions, promoting affordability for assisted living residents who rely on these forms of income.
• Scottsdale gained membership in the AARP Age-Friendly Network in 2020, and its livability score is 53 compared to the average U.S. city rating of 48. This score reflects the city’s outstanding health care services and neighborhood amenities and indicates favorability for assisted living residents.

• Caring.com proprietary data (2025). Caring.com.
• Scottsdale Senior Services. www.scottsdaleaz.gov
• Area Agency on Aging, Region One. www.aaaphx.org
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman. des.az.gov
• Carl T. Hayden Veterans' Administration Medical Center. www.va.gov
• Scottsdale Community Partners. scottsdalecommunitypartners.org