Seattle’s downtown area is dense and busy, but the city is surrounded by beautiful Pacific Northwest neighborhoods. For seniors who enjoy outdoor scenery, the Emerald City’s diverse landscape offers easy access to beautiful ocean shores and views of snow-capped mountains. The City of Seattle is home to 737,015 residents, with 17% age 60 and over. However, the Seattle Metro area includes a population of 4,069,180 residents.

Assisted living facilities provide personal care assistance in a homelike community for seniors who can no longer reside at home alone. Staff members help residents with daily living needs, and housekeeping and transportation are included. The average cost per month for assisted living in Seattle is $6,750, higher than Washington state at $6,000 and much higher than the national average of $4,500.

This informative guide provides information about assisted living in Seattle and the costs. Also provided are the pros and cons of retiring in the city and a list of free resources for seniors living in the Seattle area.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Seattle, WA

Foss Home & Village

13023 Greenwwod Ave N, Seattle, WA, 98133

My mother is in the nursing home wing of Foss Home & Village. It is very clean, spacious, well-lit, and small, with only 147 beds. It was also the only nursing home that I could find that didn’t h … (read more)
My mother is in the nursing home wing of Foss Home & Village. It is very clean, spacious, well-lit, and small, with only 147 beds. It was also the only nursing home that I could find that didn’t h … (read more)

Philanthropia Adult Family Home

2132 Boyer Ave E, Seattle, WA, 98112

My father-in-law was a resident there for nearly a decade. While it is true that many of the residents sat and watched television, there probably wasn’t much else they could do. For example, my father … (read more)
My father-in-law was a resident there for nearly a decade. While it is true that many of the residents sat and watched television, there probably wasn’t much else they could do. For example, my father … (read more)

Foundation House at Northgate

11301 3rd Avenue NE, Seattle, WA, 98125

I visited Foundation House at Northgate. The room was not bigger, but it did have a washer and dryer in it. I was surprised that there are too many buildings built up around it already as I have been … (read more)
I visited Foundation House at Northgate. The room was not bigger, but it did have a washer and dryer in it. I was surprised that there are too many buildings built up around it already as I have been … (read more)

Aegis Living Queen Anne Galer

223 West Galer St., Seattle, WA, 98199

My dad was at Aegis Living Queen Anne Galer for a short time. The facility was very clean and very new. It was almost like a hotel or a very upscale kind of environment. My dad was right across from w … (read more)
My dad was at Aegis Living Queen Anne Galer for a short time. The facility was very clean and very new. It was almost like a hotel or a very upscale kind of environment. My dad was right across from w … (read more)

Queen Anne Healthcare

2717 Dexter Avenue N, Seattle, WA, 98109


Mary Schwartz Summit

1200 University St Suite 100, Seattle, WA, 98101


High West Residence

15035 8Th Ave S, Seattle, WA, 98148


Transitional Resources

2970 Sw Avalon Way, Seattle, WA, 98126


Beverly Park Group Home

150 Sw 114Th St, Seattle, WA, 98146


Crown Hill Group Home

9523 15Th Ave Nw, Seattle, WA, 98117


Parkview Group Home

1114 15Th Ave E, Seattle, WA, 98112


Florence Of Seattle

8424 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA, 98106


Creative Care Afh 3

2723C NE 110th St, Seattle, WA, 98125


Prime Choice Adult Family Home

2723C NE 110th St, Seattle, WA, 98125


El Dorado West

1010 SW 134th Street, Burien, WA, 98146

I toured El Dorado West. The people were nice. The place was clean. I visited once before, and they had a fitness area, a television room, a movie room, and a gathering room. The staff was very nice. … (read more)
I toured El Dorado West. The people were nice. The place was clean. I visited once before, and they had a fitness area, a television room, a movie room, and a gathering room. The staff was very nice. … (read more)

The Bellettini

1115 108th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA, 98004

The Bellettini is a large, upscale retirement community providing assisted living in northwest Bellevue, Washington, just a few blocks from the 405 and the Overlake Medical Center. Bellevue Square sho … (read more)
The Bellettini is a large, upscale retirement community providing assisted living in northwest Bellevue, Washington, just a few blocks from the 405 and the Overlake Medical Center. Bellevue Square sho … (read more)

Patriots Glen Assisted Living & Memory Care

1640 148th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA, 98007

My mom has been at Patriots Glen for over 4 years now, beginning in Spring 2019. She had lived in ‘independent’ living for several years after moving closer to us; then she went through a rapid de … (read more)
My mom has been at Patriots Glen for over 4 years now, beginning in Spring 2019. She had lived in ‘independent’ living for several years after moving closer to us; then she went through a rapid de … (read more)

Island House

7810 SE 30th St, Mercer Island, WA, 98040

My stepdad will be moving into Island House. We toured it three different times. Living in a place on Mercer Island is the first priority for him. It’s just a lot more comfortable to me compared to th … (read more)
My stepdad will be moving into Island House. We toured it three different times. Living in a place on Mercer Island is the first priority for him. It’s just a lot more comfortable to me compared to th … (read more)

Cogir of Kirkland

6505 Lakeview Drive NE, Kirkland, WA, 98033


The Gardens at Town Square

933 111Th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA, 98004

The Gardens at Townsquare is an assisted living community in downtown Bellevue, Washington, located minutes away from art galleries, a library, restaurants and shopping centers. Residents can choose f … (read more)
The Gardens at Townsquare is an assisted living community in downtown Bellevue, Washington, located minutes away from art galleries, a library, restaurants and shopping centers. Residents can choose f … (read more)

COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living in Seattle

Since most COVID-19 rules for Assisted Living Communities and other Senior Living Facilities are set at the state level, you can view the specific rules for your state on our Guide to Assisted Living in Washington. Keep in mind that every community has specific policies that they put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.

What To Consider About Assisted Living in Seattle

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services regulates and licenses assisted living facilities, performing regularly scheduled and unannounced inspections to ensure all state rules are followed. The Washington State Assisted Living Licensing Rules outline standards of care and residents’ rights.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Seattle

  • Seattle is part of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities, a program developed by AARP with older adults in mind to create livable communities with safe, walkable streets, transportation options and access to services needed to live life well. The city’s action plan outlines strategies to address livability and promote the health of older adults.
  • Although Seattle often receives criticism for the amount of rain the city gets, it averages 38 inches of rain each year, the same as the U.S. average. There’s a chance of a few inches of snow in the winter, but it typically doesn’t stay around very long, and the summer temperature average is a pleasant 76 degrees. The one drawback is 226 gray days per year, which make Seattle the cloudiest city in the United States. Still, the area’s natural beauty outshines the clouds.
  • Seniors may find their hard-earned income goes further in Seattle, as Washington is a senior retiree tax-friendly state. Social Security income, withdrawals from retirement accounts and pension income aren’t taxed, and Washington doesn’t have a state income tax.
  • The cost of living in Seattle may present a hardship to some seniors overall, being 172.3 out of a national average of 100. The highest costs driving this number are housing at 309 out of 100 and groceries at 108.7. The lower cost-of-living numbers are utilities at 68.8 and health care at 85.2.
  • Seattle does have higher crime rates, with a violent crime rate of 32.3 versus the U.S. average of 22.7 and a much higher property crime rate of 76.9 compared to the U.S. average of 35.4. These rates are for the Seattle downtown city area. Other communities in the Seattle Metro area have lower crime rates.

Paying for Assisted Living in Seattle

The Genworth Cost of Care Survey reports an average monthly cost of $6,750 for assisted living in Seattle compared to the state average of $6,000. These amounts are both much higher than the national average of $4,500.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

The cost of assisted living in Seattle is one of the most expensive in Washington, at $6,750. Just across the bay from Seattle, Bremerton averages less at $5,750. South of Seattle, the state capital of Olympia averages $4,805 monthly, and further south, Longview’s monthly average is $5,300.

$6750

Seattle

$6000

Washington

$4500

The United States

$5750

Bremerton

$4805

Olympia

$5300

Longview

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Seniors can choose from additional long-term care options in Seattle based on their needs. Adult day health care, for seniors who only need weekday supervision, averages $2,600 per month. Seniors who decide to remain at home can choose homemaker services or home health aide care, which provides some medical assistance at a monthly average of $6,769 for each. Seniors who may need a higher level of medical care from a nursing home will pay an average of $9,916 for a semiprivate room and $11,984 for a private room.

$2600

Adult Day Health Care

$6769

Homemaker Services

$6769

Home Health Aiide

$9916

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$11984

Nursing Home Facility (private room)

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Seattle

There are Medicaid programs offered by the state of Washington to pay for the cost of ALF services in Mountlake Terrace. Eligible seniors may qualify for the Community First Choice (CFC) State Plan or one of the Home and Community-Based Service 1915(c) waivers which are the Community Options Program Entry System (COPES), New Freedom and Residential Support waivers.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Washington page.

Paying for Assisted Living in Washington

More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living

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 Washington page.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Seattle

Seattle is committed to being age-friendly, and part of this commitment includes offering numerous free resources for seniors. Government and local agencies provide community and social recreation, benefits education and additional support services for seniors. 

Resource

Contact

Service

1 (800) 562-6028

The Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program assists seniors and their families with issues or complaints with long-term care facilities. It also protects the rights of the elderly and educates them about the benefits and programs offered through Medicaid and Medicare. Ombudsmen help find resolutions for situations involving quality of care, seniors' rights, elder abuse and other aspects of dignity and personal rights for residents in long-term care facilities.

(206) 932-4044

The Senior Center of West Seattle provides support, socialization and activities to promote the health and wellness of area seniors. Fitness classes include yoga, exercise, qigong and tai chi. Activities include cribbage, mah-jongg, live music and drumming workshops. 

(206) 727.6262

The Hyde Shuttle program offers seniors van service to locations throughout King County. Rides are provided for meal programs, medical appointments, senior centers, grocery stores, medical appointments and other local destinations.


Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Seattle

Seattle-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Washington are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Washington page for more information about these laws.

Washington Laws and Regulations