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
110 Mount Vernon Street, Winchester, MA 01890
5.0
(1 reviews)
"Visiting the Mount Vernon House was very pleasureable experience for me. Every part of the building is in pristine condition. It looks more like a luxury hotel than an assisted living facility. They have a full gym, spa, and recreation area for resi..."
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405 Alewife Brook Parkway, Somerville, MA 02144
5.0
(1 reviews)
"My parents have moved in to Visiting Nurse Association. Their building is fairly new and it's very clean. Their apartment is very small, but it has a walk-in bathroom and kitchenette. We went there for lunch and the food was very good. It's kind of l..."
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1 Symmes Road, Arlington, MA 02474
4.8
(6 reviews)
"My mother-in-law just moved in at Brightview Arlington yesterday. She gets 5 hours of additional care a week, and we're getting help with her medication, and trying to socialize her. They have a beautiful library. Monthly, they have a hairdresser. Th..."
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656 King Street, Franklin, MA 02038
4.8
(6 reviews)
"The Enclave of Franklin was very nice and very clean. The staff was very professional and knowledgeable and personable. The dining room was OK. Mom's room was clean and accommodating. We also selected it because of its location...."
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289 East Street, Wrentham, MA 02093
4.8
(23 reviews)
"When my loved on first came to Pond Home, they started in the main house. Then we got familiar with Becky when we moved them over to the assisted living facilities. Eventually, we moved them to the nursing home, but it was nice that they never had to..."
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165 Chestnut Street, Brookline, MA 02445
4.7
(4 reviews)
"I got to tour Goddard House Assisted Living. They had 70-80 assisted living units, and I particularly like that their dining room was divided into small sections. So you were eating in a room with about four tables with dividers with a small number o..."
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1275 Turnpike Street, North Andover, MA 01845
4.7
(10 reviews)
"My mother has moved into Brightview North Andover. It's excellent care. It's excellent everything. We cannot be any happier than we are. They treat my mother nicely. We don't worry about her anymore. They let us put a camera in her room, and we can s..."
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565 Humphrey Street, Swampscott, MA 01907
4.5
(9 reviews)
"My dad lived at the Bertram House of Swampscott for 3 years and 2 months starting 3/19/21. He received excellent personal care, great food and socialization. His apt. on the first floor had access to a porch outside where I could sit with him in ..."
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50 Greenleaf Way, Burlington, MA 01803
4.5
(18 reviews)
"I looked at Stonebridge at Burlington. What was different with this place was that there was no buy-in, but there was a very hefty monthly fee. For the two of us, it was going to come out to about $10,000 a month. We just cannot afford that. It is ..."
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29 Washington Square, Salem, MA 01970
4.5
(2 reviews)
"We saw John Bertram House. The only reason we didn't choose it was because it was 2-1/2 hours on a good day from where I live, otherwise that was where Mom was interested in going. It's a beautiful old federal house that was built in the late 1800s. ..."
READ MORE540 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA 02170
4.5
(2 reviews)
"There is nothing fancy about Fenno House. But the care that is giving to their residents is outstanding. CNA and nursing are very attentive and caring. Remodel being done at the present time, will give a much needed update. Rooms are very clean. Ac..."
READ MORE341 Forest Street, Malden, MA 02148
4.5
(2 reviews)
"My mother is in Forestdale Park. It is an outstanding facility. It's newly renovated, and it's beautiful. The staff is outstanding, very caring, and very supportive. I haven't found a better place yet. She is in a one-bedroom unit. It's a bedroom wit..."
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10 Pelham Road, Lexington, MA 02421
4.5
(4 reviews)
"My mother-in-law is at Youville Place. The staff is very professional. They're very engaged with the people who are there. They're very good staff. Both its layout and its upkeep are really, really nice. They have small apartments within one large bu..."
READ MORE1573 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
4.5
(2 reviews)
"Youville is the one that I like very much. It's a good place. Our visit there was fine. The facility was beautifully appointed. It was very new and it had a homey feeling. They did have very good staff there. I like their residents. I feel we have th..."
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141 Elm Street, Andover, MA 01810
4.5
(2 reviews)
"Excellent care. Kind attentive and caring staff. Dad moved from Assisted Living with day programming in Avita to fulltime residency in Memory Care/Avita program. Transition was well thought out and staff went out of their way to help us and Dad. I am..."
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21 Warren Avenue, Woburn, MA 01801
4.5
(2 reviews)
"New Horizons At Choate is very good. Everything is really good. The place looks fine, and the room we're going to have is a good size. The person who gave me the tour was good as well. I've tried the food there and it was very good. This community wo..."
READ MORE68 Commonwealth Avenue, Concord, MA 01742
4.4
(11 reviews)
"Concord Park is like a 20-year old facility, so they're remodeling everything. It was under construction and they're expanding. But the rooms they showed us that had been updated were beautiful, you have nice, little, granite countertops, and new car..."
READ MORE140 Franklin Street, Stoneham, MA 02180
4.4
(7 reviews)
"The Arbors at Stoneham is a very good fit for my father. It's hard to tell with the COVID going on, but it seems very nice. The apartment is beautiful, the staff is very, very nice, and the meals look very good...."
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3 Vision Drive, Route 9W, Natick, MA 01760
4.4
(5 reviews)
"I am blown away by the level of care and deliberative memory care activities at Whitney Place assisted living memory care. They have THREE dedicated recreational activities staff with activities almost all day long; the staff engages the residents an..."
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50 Endicott Street, Danvers, MA 01923
4.3
(20 reviews)
"My friend will be moving into Brightview Danvers. Walking into these places, you get a certain feeling and Brightview had the best feeling. The community itself was nice and that's what she's looking for. Not that the other ones weren't nice, but the..."
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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