The capital of Massachusetts and also one of the nation's oldest cities, Boston boasts a choice of 8 assisted living facilities within its central area. Opening up the search to outer suburbs grants seniors 198 more choices. Despite being one of New England's most populous cities, Boston offers relatively affordable assisted living compared to the Massachusetts median. In 2024, seniors pay about $6,750 in the city vs. $7,120 statewide. However, expenses still greatly surpass the $5,350 national baseline.
Check 1609 reviews reviews of Boston's assisted living communities below, where providers earn an average of 4.1 out of 5 stars stars.
206 Results
43 School House Road, Weymouth, MA 02188
4.2
(5 reviews)
"Allerton House at Central Park is absolutely breathtaking inside. The surroundings were beautiful, and the way they decorated was very, very pleasing. The staff we met was excellent. In terms of activities, they offered everything. The rooms were lai..."
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2300 Washington Street, Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462
4.2
(10 reviews)
"My wife and I are both in an assisted living accommodation at The Falls at Cordingly Dam. She's on the fourth floor and I'm on the first floor. I'm looking for an independent living accommodation because it is not good for me to be in an assisted liv..."
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73 Margin Street, Peabody, MA 01960
4.1
(21 reviews)
"I went to Sunrise at Gardner Park. They showed me one of the studios, and I thought it was small. The staff was excellent. Everybody was great. Everyone who I interacted with was wonderful. I saw an activity room where a game of bingo was going on. I..."
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295 Broadway, Malden, MA 02148
4.1
(27 reviews)
"It was such a lovely place. It was all so bright, cheerful, and beautiful. I enjoyed the place. The people seemed friendly. As for the downside, they're expensive. The apartment is spacious enough if you're ready for that change. The facility was ver..."
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126 Smith Street, Waltham, MA 02451
4.1
(24 reviews)
"We went to look at Benchmark Senior Living at Waltham Crossings. The people who met up with us were all very nice. They were willing to answer any questions. They were very friendly and gave us a full tour of the facility, including the rooms and the..."
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24 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01803
4.1
(19 reviews)
"Sunrise of Burlington MA's accommodations are great and the place is very nice. The memory care portion there would have cost us more money because we would have needed to hire somebody to come in for 24-hour care. They do laundry and housekeeping. T..."
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125 King Street (Rt 3A), Cohasset, MA 02025
4.1
(7 reviews)
"All the staff at Sunrise are wonderful. We have always found them helpful and professional in every way-activities are very well planned and clients are encouraged to participate. Our family member really enjoys the food and the well planned activit..."
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300 West Farm Pond Road, Framingham, MA 01702
4.1
(35 reviews)
"We went to Brookdale Cushing Park. This is the first place we visited. My mother-in-law is going to take some time to figure out what she wants to do, but we enjoyed the tour and liked the facility a lot. We thought the community seemed very nice and..."
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700 Chickering Road, North Andover, MA 01845
4.1
(26 reviews)
"I went to Ashland Farm at North Andover. I know they seem very nice, very helpful, and wanted to make sure that the people who live there are part of the community and not just living in their own rooms and never coming out. They want them to get out..."
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285 Commonwealth Road, Wayland, MA 01778
4.0
(20 reviews)
"We toured Sunrise of Wayland. It was a very warm and cozy feeling, vibrant. The energy was very inviting. They worked to accommodate our request well, and we liked the staff. They were able to accommodate us with the shared room which is well-suited ..."
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86 Saunders Road, Norwood, MA 02062
3.9
(15 reviews)
"I went to Sunrise of Norwood. I love that place. It's beautiful. It's a mansion that some doctor owned. The staff was awesome. They had the best overall facility as far as homeyness and ease of getting mom to her meals. But I think the location just ..."
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1395 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA 02476
3.8
(18 reviews)
"My friends unit is lovely and overlooks the bike path. The food is delicious. Juan does an outstanding job. The staff is kind and welcoming...."
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27 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02481
3.8
(10 reviews)
"My Mom has been a resident of Waterstone at Wellesley for more than two years now and is thriving like never before. She's highly engaged in the community and has made close friends with whom she enjoys meals, activities and shared interests. I can a..."
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10 Erlin Terrace, Tewksbury, MA 01876
3.7
(11 reviews)
"I have chosen Blaire House of Tewksbury for my dad because it's local to where he's lived his whole life. It's not just assisted living or memory care like some of the other ones. They've got skilled nursing and a dementia center also, so he can stay..."
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3 Rehabilitation Way, Woburn, MA, 01801, Woburn, MA 01801
3.7
(7 reviews)
"My mom is at Brightview Country Club Heights. The place, as expected, has nice accommodations. The common areas are pleasantly appointed, and my mom's apartment is very spacious. The staff is wonderful and very helpful from the move-in transition ..."
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4 Technology Drive, North Chelmsford, MA 01863
3.6
(21 reviews)
"My mother was a resident of The Residence at Freeman Lake. It was excellent, the people are very good there, they're thorough, they're helpful, they're kind, and they're caring. I have nothing but good things about them. The rooms are well equipped, ..."
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10 Village Green Way, Marshfield, MA 02050
3.5
(4 reviews)
"I toured Allerton House at Proprietors Green. It was exquisite. The staff were very friendly. They had everything that I could be interested in. They had a theater, they had a pub, they had transportation, and they had a lovely dining room. It's extr..."
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420 Reservoir Avenue, Revere, MA 02151
3.3
(15 reviews)
"My mother moved in nearly nine months ago and, originally, I was extremely hesitant sending her to live here due to preexisting reviews. It did not paint the place in a generous light, but I was working with very limited options. Taking the tour help..."
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180 Corey Rd, Brighton, MA 02135
3.3
(6 reviews)
"I liked Providence House Assisted Living. It was bright, and it was accessible. There was parking there. The staff was very nice. It's very clean. I was surprised by how bright it was. It didn't feel like a nursing home. They had things for the peopl..."
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125 Dover Rd, Millis, MA 02054
3.0
(1 reviews)
"I went to see Anthology of Millis. The atmosphere there was not as good as it could be. I know it was a nice place. It was a new place. The layout was OK. Some of the rooms may have been a bit smaller than the others. I'm not positive about that, but..."
READ MOREAccording to Genworth's 2024 Cost of Care Survey, assisted living costs $1,400 more than the national median in Boston. However, retirees face steeper expenses elsewhere in Massachusetts, as care costs $9,783 in Barnstable and $9,825 in Pittsfield. Seniors looking to reduce their expenses save $382 by retiring in Springfield instead of Boston, as this city offers the most affordable assisted living statewide.
Boston
$6,750
Massachusetts
$7,120
United States
$5,350
Barnstable
$9,783
Worcester
$6,906
Springfield
$6,368
Pittsfield
$9,825
When trying to decide how to pay for assisted 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. To help shed light on real senior living prices, Caring.com has compiled proprietary cost data from its network of more than 75,000 senior living providers to provide insight into the average cost of assisted living in Boston and 60 other cities in Massachusetts.
MassHealth, the Medicaid program of the state of Massachusetts, covers the cost of assisted living services through the Moving Forward Plan – Residential Supports (MFP-RS) waiver for eligible seniors in Boston or through the Supportive Senior Housing Initiative for residents of state-funded assisted living residences.
Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Massachusetts page.
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:
For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Massachusetts page.
Assisted living fees in Boston have slowly but steadily increased over the last few years, rising by a projected 18% between 2022 and 2024. Overall, Boston's assisted living fees are relatively costly, being around 12% higher than the national average. Compared to other cities in Massachusetts, however, Boston is relatively affordable, having average fees that are roughly 15% lower than the state average. Inflation has impacted most Massachusetts cities to a similar degree. Assisted living prices in Norton and Leominster are both projected to increase by almost 18%, as are average fees in Brewster, one of the most costly cities.
| Location | 2022 Cost (Historical) | 2023 Cost (Current) | 2024 Cost (Estimated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | $4,579 | $5,017 | $5,403 |
| U.S. Average | $4,070 | $4,459 | $4,802 |
| Massachusetts | $5,202 | $5,599 | $6,393 |
| Brewster | $6,070 | $6,650 | $7,162 |
| Norton | $4,567 | $5,004 | $5,389 |
| Leominster | $4,550 | $4,985 | $5,368 |
In Boston, seniors pay about $7,394 more than the median assisted living rate for a semi-private room in a nursing home. Among other retirement options, seniors spend the least on adult day care, which costs approximately $2,643 per month. Home care costs only $305 more than assisted living, enabling seniors to receive affordable support in their own homes instead of entering a retirement community.
In-Home Care
$7,055
Home Health Care
$7,436
Adult Day Health Care
$2,643
Assisted Living Facility
$6,750
Nursing Home Facility (semi-private room)
$14,144
There are many resources in Boston,MA 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.
For information about statewide resources and those in nearby cities, go to Caring’s Massachusetts state page.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| AgeStrong Commission | 617-635-4366 | Massachusetts is home to many Area Agencies on Aging that provide supportive services to older adults. These agencies can help seniors get connected with local programs that assist them with daily needs, including caregiver support, transportation services, meal programs and health and wellness resources. AAAs also work to combat elder abuse and fraud and empower seniors to ensure a life of safety and dignity. |
| Boston Senior Home Care | 617-292-6211 | Massachusetts is home to many Area Agencies on Aging that provide supportive services to older adults. These agencies can help seniors get connected with local programs that assist them with daily needs, including caregiver support, transportation services, meal programs and health and wellness resources. AAAs also work to combat elder abuse and fraud and empower seniors to ensure a life of safety and dignity. |
| Central Boston Elder Services, Inc. | 617-277-7416 | Massachusetts is home to many Area Agencies on Aging that provide supportive services to older adults. These agencies can help seniors get connected with local programs that assist them with daily needs, including caregiver support, transportation services, meal programs and health and wellness resources. AAAs also work to combat elder abuse and fraud and empower seniors to ensure a life of safety and dignity. |
Boston seniors wishing to remain in their own homes can find financial assistance from several local resources. These programs and organizations help retirees cover the cost of services such as home care, property modifications and utilities.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Home Care Program | 617-727-7750 | Home Care Services is for seniors needing only non-medical services, such as personal care, home-delivered meals and dementia day care. It can also cover costs for homeuse adaptive equipment, such as ramps, making it particularly useful for seniors with mobility issues. |
| Massachusetts Frail Elder Waiver | 800-243-4636 | The Frail Elder Waiver covers care costs for seniors residing in their own homes or the home of a relative with caregiving responsibilities. Congregate housing residents also fall within the waiver's scope. It can pay medical and non-medical costs, such as skilled nursing and personal care. |
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 Boston seniors afford the nutritious food they need.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Elderly Nutrition Program - Boston | 617-357-0226 | Meals on Wheels agencies deliver freshly prepared and nutritionally balanced meals to adults aged 60 and older throughout Massachusetts. There are subtle differences between each branch, such as their delivery schedules and recommended donation per meal, but they all deliver to seniors regardless of their incomes, and none will refuse a meal based on the senior's ability to pay. |
| Greater Boston Food Bank | 617-427-5200 | Seniors and others experiencing food insecurity can request assistance from one of the more than 600 food pantries, soup kitchens, meal programs and senior centers served by the Greater Boston Food Bank in Boston, MA. Seniors can visit the organization's website to learn more about its distribution sites and mobile food markets throughout Eastern Massachusetts. In addition, the organization helps recipients apply for SNAP benefits and free food from the USDA's Commodity Supplemental Food Program. |
| Haley House Food Pantry | 617-236-8132 | Haley House Food Pantry distributes nutritious groceries to residents in need in the South End and Roxbury neighborhoods in Boston, MA. Seniors and other community members can take home fruits, vegetables and healthy food items when they need help stocking their pantries. The food pantry is open on Thursdays. Recipients can obtain tickets at 7 a.m., and they may pick up their grocery bags at 10 a.m. |
Due to the high cost of purchasing new medical equipment, several organizations in Boston 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Assistive Technology Regional Centers - Boston | 800-244-2756 | MassMATCH is a short-term loan program that maximizes access to assistive technologies throughout Massachusetts for those in most need. |
Many organizations offer free or low-cost legal services to Boston seniors. Older adults can access advice on issues such as estate planning, living wills and power of attorney. Some firms also act as long-term care ombudsmen, advocating for the rights of seniors in senior living communities.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Boston Legal Services | 800-323-3205 | The Greater Boston Legal Services provides free legal services to adults age 60 and older in the greater Boston region. It is a network of volunteer lawyers who provide free civil legal help to low-income individuals in the region. Many of their services apply to older adults, including abuse and neglect prevention, consumer rights services, health care benefits services and government benefits services. |
Seniors and those with disabilities can access a variety of local resources to help them pay for home repairs and modifications. Programs in Boston have different eligibility criteria and often assist retirees by providing grants or loans.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP) | 866-500-5599 | The Home Modification Loan Program provides older residents with interest-free loans, which they can use to adapt their homes to their needs. Loans are repaid when the owner sells the property or transfers the title deed. |
| Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) - Boston | 617-357-6012 | The purpose of the Weatherization Assistance Program is to improve the energy efficiency of seniors' homes, which can reduce utility costs, while also making living spaces safer. |
Senior centers in Boston bring together residents through recreational activities and events. Many also offer advice and support on senior issues, run wellness and nutrition programs, and connect older adults with other resources in the local area.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Easterseals Massachusetts Senior Services - Boston | 800-244-2756 | Easterseals Massachusetts long-term device loan program is for those on low incomes who may be unable to purchase medical equipment for home use. The service provides assistive technology, such as phones with large tactile buttons, wrist-cuff blood pressure monitors and screen reading devices. |
Social Security offices in Boston 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Social Security Office | 800-772-1213 | 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. |
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. Boston 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Fuel Assistance Programs | 617-573-1100 | Massachusetts Fuel Assistance Programs are aimed at assisting seniors with home heating costs during the state's severe winters. Residents who receive SNAP or other low-income benefits can qualify for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as well as discounted utility rates. Applications for LIHEAP open on October 1. Seniors may be eligible for one-time emergency financing from the Salvation Army Good Neighbor Fund or Joe-4-Oil. |
| Fuel Assistance (LIHEAP) - Boston | 617-357-6012 | The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program can pay a percentage of seniors' winter heating bills. There is no fee for application, and seniors reach out to their local services providers, who will not charge for their assistance. |
| Massachusetts Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | 617-573-1100 | The Massachusetts Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists eligible seniors with their home heating bills. Residents who qualify must have income equal to or lower than 60% of the estimated state median income for Massachusetts. Applications are open online on October 1 and available in person at one of several local LIHEAP agencies. Residents must provide a photo ID, a list of household members, income proof and a heating bill copy. |
Boston 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Vet Center | 857-203-6461 | At the Boston Vet Center, veterans and service members can receive confidential counseling without cost. Licensed counselors specialize in the Gottman Method for couples therapy, with family, grief and bereavement counseling also available. For those struggling with mental health, counseling is available for issues such as PTSD, depression, anger, aggressive behavior and substance abuse. Evidence-based treatments are used, including cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure. Staff supports the specific needs of female, minority and first-response veterans. |
| VA Boston Healthcare System, Jamaica Plain Campus | 617-232-9500 | The Jamaica Plain Campus of the VA Boston Healthcare System is a medical center for veterans that offers primary and specialty services. Visitors can access amputation care (including prosthetics and rehabilitation), optometry, physical therapy, arthritis treatment, oncology and pulmonary medicine. This facility provides on-site radiation oncology, imaging, hospice care, pathology and a full-service pharmacy. Veterans can also get support with mobility devices such as scooters, wheelchairs and custom seating with long-term follow-up services. |
Boston-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Massachusetts are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Massachusetts page for more information about these laws.
Assisted Living
Atkinson
1.0
Review of Providence House Assisted Living
The main receptionist shows phenomenal insensitivity to resident religion and ethnicity. Shouting at residents is common. Some on the nursing staff try at times. But too many are disrespectful of...
Assisted Living
Dee.111
3.0
Review of Providence House Assisted Living
I moved into Providence House Assisted Living. What I like best is the people that live here, and the fact that they get together, and that enjoyment. What I like least is I don't like the...
Assisted Living
Kathleen
4.0
Review of Chestnut Park at Cleveland Circle
I visited Chestnut Park at Cleveland Circle. It went very well with very good staff. The amenities are good but the rooms are very small. They have access in those function rooms to computers and...
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