Assisted Living Communities in Houston, Texas

Although assisted living costs $285 more than the state baseline in Houston, according to Genworth's 2024 Cost of Care Survey, many nearby locations bring additional expenses. Retirees pay about $700 more for care in Victoria than in Houston, and they spend $835 more on assisted living in Austin. Killeen offers one of the most budget-friendly alternatives to Houston, with care costing seniors just $4,000 per month.

While some assisted living residents in Houston pay for assisted living expenses entirely out of pocket, many utilize benefits from veteran, state and federal programs to cover or reduce their fees. The following programs help older adults who meet functional, financial or service-related criteria fund long-term care. Depending on the program, qualified individuals may be placed on a waiting list.

• Medicaid: The Texas Medicaid-managed care program, STAR+PLUS, pays for assisted living expenses for residents who need nursing home level-care. Although it doesn’t pay for housing, it covers personal care, housekeeping and meals.
• Medicare: Medicare can help seniors reduce their monthly care bills by covering medically necessary services, including skilled nursing and medication administration. However, this program doesn’t provide coverage for nonmedical custodial services or other supports in assisted living facilities.
• VA Benefits: Veterans may have several options for funding their care, including using cash from disability and non-service related pensions and the VA’s Aid and Attendance program. The VA also operates a veterans’ home in Houston, providing direct care for qualified seniors.
• Private payments: Along with monthly income and retirement savings, seniors have several options for covering remaining assisted living expenses out of pocket. These options include long-term care insurance, getting a reverse mortgage, renting out a home or purchasing an annuity.

Prices don't vary much across the different types of care in Houston, but adult day care offers considerable savings of $3,792 over assisted living. For seniors who need nonmedical help at home and don't want to relocate, home care costs just $4,671 per month. A need for medical expertise increases expenses for retirees with chronic health conditions, as semi-private rooms in nursing homes cost $518 more than assisted living.

• Internationally recognized as home to some of the best hospitals in the world, Houston accommodates assisted living residents’ medical needs through more than 85 hospitals within its limits and surrounding suburbs. These include Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest medical center and cancer hospital. 
• Houston experiences hot, humid summers with average daytime temperatures between 89 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit and nearly constant muggy conditions. While many assisted living residents rely on their facilities’ indoor features throughout the summer, winter brings milder temperatures of 63 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, making outdoor activities and amenities more appealing.
• Houston’s cost of living runs about 3% above the state norm but falls 3% below the national average, helping many assisted living residents live comfortably on their retirement income.
• Houston’s crime frequency exceeds state and national norms, as well as typical rates for similarly sized cities, with the city reporting around 57 incidents per 1,000 people every year. Fortunately, assisted living facilities promote residents’ safety through transportation escorts and security measures, such as alarm systems.
• As a member of the AARP Age-Friendly Network, Houston has a detailed action plan for creating a favorable environment for seniors. This plan includes affordable housing, safe transportation and streamlined health and community services.