Memory Care Communities in Costa Mesa, California

Dementia care costs in Costa Mesa are on par with the California state median of $6,563). However, they're over 16% higher than the national average of $5,625. Compared to nearby San Diego, costs in Costa Mesa are roughly $280 less expensive. The city is also much more affordable than San Francisco, which sees the highest rates at $7,899. Several cities near Costa Mesa see lower costs, including Riverside, where rates are 23.8% lower, and Bakersfield, where memory care is $1,875 less expensive.

Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we've estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth's 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

In Costa Mesa, memory care typically costs $6,563 per month, though rates can vary based on a community's location, amenities and services.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

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

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in California page.

As memory care is tailored to seniors with memory loss, it is more expensive than assisted living, at $5,250 monthly. Seniors with lesser needs may consider adult day care — a much more budget-friendly option at $1,625 per month. For individuals looking to age in place, in-home care offers daily personal care, while home health care provides light medical services at home. Both cost $5,911 per month, which is $652 less than memory care. Nursing homes are another alternative. Ideal for those with complex medical needs, these facilities cost over $2,500 more than memory care.

In communities across California, including Costa Mesa, memory care communities are licensed and monitored by the California Senior Care Licensing Program. This program serves as a regulatory enforcement system to ensure the health, safety and quality of life of adults in care facilities. Regular monitoring and inspections ensure these communities remain compliant with statewide and national laws and regulations. 

• With its warm, sunny weather, Costa Mesa is a beautiful destination for seniors to spend their golden years. The city experiences pleasant weather year-round, characterized by summer temperatures hovering in the mid-70s and mild, snow-free winters. Seniors can expect to see 274 days of sunshine annually, providing many opportunities to enjoy time outdoors.
• Living in Costa Mesa can be quite expensive. The city's overall living costs are much higher than the U.S. average. This emphasizes the importance of planning ahead for long-term care. Fortunately for seniors, the city's health care costs are over 16% lower than the national median, which may help offset the high cost of housing and groceries.
• The state of California is not generally considered to be tax-friendly toward retirees. Retirement accounts and pensions are fully taxable at rates between 1% to 12.3%. However, Social Security benefits are exempt from taxation, and the city of Costa Mesa doesn't charge any additional sales tax on top of state and county rates.
• Costa Mesa is well-equipped to serve the needs of its aging population. The city has 249 physicians per capita, which is more than the national average of 210. It's also home to some of the area's top medical facilities, including College Hospital Costa Mesa. In addition to its acute medical and surgical services, the hospital offers a full spectrum of psychiatric services, including senior services specifically for elderly adults suffering from mental health issues.
• Orange County is a designated Dementia Friendly community. This means that cities across the county, including Costa Mesa, are committed to making their communities more accessible and supportive for individuals facing memory loss. They do this through awareness efforts, community education and accessible dementia resources.
• Violent crime rates in Costa Mesa are slightly lower than the national average. However, rates of property crime are high. On a 100-point index, the city's property crime is rated 51.9 compared to the U.S. average of 35.4. As memory care communities typically feature secured entries and 24-hour staff, however, residents can enjoy greater peace of mind.