Assisted Living Communities in Los Angeles, California

The 2024 Genworth Cost of Care Survey indicates that Los Angeles seniors pay monthly assisted living fees of about $5,748. This rate falls roughly $500 below the state norm and trends lower than costs in many nearby cities. For example, rates in Santa Maria run around $750 higher, and in San Diego, seniors pay approximately $7,250. However, local rates exceed costs in Riverside, where facilities charge about $400 less.

• The cost of living in Los Angeles ranks 61.7% higher than the national average. However, health care and utility costs fall 10% and 6.3% below national standards, helping seniors save on certain expenses.
• Los Angeles houses several nationally ranked hospitals. UCLA Medical Center ranks as No. 4 in the country for geriatric care, while Keck Medicine of USC receives a Gold Plus ranking from the American Heart Association. Additionally, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center earned recognition as a top U.S. hospital for 9 consecutive years.
• California fully taxes retirement and pension income at some of the country's highest rates. However, the state doesn't tax Social Security benefits and offers a reduced tax rate of 3.5% for prescription and nonprescription drugs.
• Los Angeles experiences approximately 284 sunny days per year, with average temperatures ranging from 84 degrees Fahrenheit in July to 46 degrees in January. Due to its warm Mediterranean climate, the city receives zero annual snowfall and sporadic rain showers throughout the year.
• Los Angeles receives an above-average AARP livability index score of 53. The city's safe neighborhoods, high-quality health care and accessible transportation appeal to seniors in assisted living. 

In Los Angeles, the standard monthly rate for assisted living settles near $5,748. Although they don't include housing, private alternatives such as in-home care and home health care tend to cost more at around $6,673. Nursing home costs run even higher at approximately $10,646, but adult day health facilities charge lower fees of roughly $1,690.

• The cost of living in Los Angeles is extremely high, more than 70% higher than the national average. However, health care costs are surprisingly low at 11% less than the national average. Health care is often a major expense for aging adults, so every bit helps.
• Health care options are abundant in Los Angeles, which is home to several nationally ranked hospitals. The top three facilities include UCLA Medical Center with 14 adult specialties and six children’s specialties nationally ranked, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center with 11 adult specialties nationally ranked and Keck Medical Center of USC with 12 adult specialties nationally ranked. UCLA Medical Center also came in fourth nationwide for geriatrics, while Cedars-Sinai and Keck ranked 10th and 11th, respectively.
• Retirees won’t pay income taxes on their Social Security benefits but will on most other forms of retirement income. However, the income tax rate is relatively low for middle- and low-income seniors.
• Sales taxes are above average in Los Angeles County at a combined rate of 9.5%, but seniors do get a break on everyday necessities. Groceries are exempt from state and county sales taxes, and the state taxes prescription drugs at a lower rate of 3.5%.
• Seniors couldn’t ask for more pleasant weather conditions than in Southern California. Los Angeles averages 284 sunny days a year, with an average high of 84 degrees in July and an average low of 46 degrees in January. Older adults won’t have to worry about temperature extremes, humidity or snow.
• Los Angeles has been part of the AARP Age-Friendly Network since February 2016. Although it gets a slightly below-average livability score at 49 compared to the national average of 50, this is primarily due to the low score of 22 for environmental issues such as air quality. However, it gets an above-average mark of 70 for its accessible neighborhoods and 64 for healthy behaviors.