Assisted Living Communities in Waco, Texas

Assisted Living costs in Waco start around $3,798 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of assisted living is $4,000 per month, according to the latest figures from Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey.

It’s important to note that assisted living rates in Waco and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

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:

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

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Texas page.

Waco, TX, has been called "Athens on the Brazos" since the 19th century, when Baylor University was founded here. Today, Baylor operates Lifelong Learning, a program of adult education that seniors from the city's 13 assisted living communities are welcome to join. Residential care in Waco and all of Texas falls under the regulatory umbrella of the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, which splits facilities into types A and B. Assisted living, where senior residents get room and board, plus help with activities of daily living (ADLs) like dressing and meal prep, are classed as Type A, where the emphasis is on maximizing seniors' independence and freedom.

 

• Waco is deep in the heart of Texas, where winter lows average 35 degrees Fahrenheit and summertime highs average 96 degrees. The shift from hot to cold can happen overnight, so seniors with COPD should have both air conditioning and a space heater. 36 inches of rain fall here each year, which can kick up allergens in spring and cause some issues for seniors with asthma.
   
• Prices in Waco are generally very reasonable. Groceries, for instance, cost only around 81 percent here what they do elsewhere in the nation, while seniors who pay their own medical bills can usually get by with 11 percent lower costs in Waco. Transportation is a little more expensive, however. Costs here average 1 percent higher than rates across the country.
   
• There's no income tax in Texas, but the state does charge sales tax between 6.25 and 8.25 percent on most items. A 20 cent gas tax affects aging citizens who drive, and it slightly elevates the cost of bus and taxi service for those who don't.
   
• Crime is around 20 percent higher in Waco than is common for other cities in America. Much of this is theft and other (somewhat) petty crime. Serious crime, including crimes against seniors, are either average or slightly below here, depending on the specific category.
   
• Waco Transit handles bus service in and around the city. Riders with mobility issues and disabilities can be accommodated on all WT vehicles, and senior riders get discount fares with a valid transit ID.
   
• The Waco area is home to world-class medical facilities, including Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Hillcrest, in the event of medical emergencies or illness.