Norwalk, Stamford, Farmington, Bristol, Waterbury Among Nation's Most Expensive for Seniors Assisted Living

A new study has found that Connecticut ranks No.14 in the nation, and includes 5 of the 200 most expensive cities, for assisted living.

As America ages, the cost of assisted living is surging across the country making it more difficult for seniors and their families to find a good facility at an affordable price, according to representatives of the Seniorly Resource Center, which conducted the study analysis.

They point out that numerous factors are likely to exert upward pressure on cost, including the projected increase of dementia-related illness, the pace of wage inflation in senior care, and the increase in regulatory requirements in senior care.

The most expensive cities in Connecticut include Norwalk, which ranks No. 13 in the nation costing $7,013 per month, followed by No. 20 Stamford ($6,767) and No. 50 Farmington ($6,158).  Also ranking among the 200 most expensive are Bristol at No. 140 ($5,351) and Waterbury at No. 195 ($5,125).

The total number of occupied senior housing units nationally reached a record 603,000 units in the first quarter of 2024. This was 34,400 units higher than the pre-pandemic first quarter of 2020 level, according to data shared by Seniorly.

The most expensive average monthly rent for assisted living was in Princeton, New Jersey; followed by Peterborough and Bedford, New Hampshire; Tacoma, Washington; Nashua and Manchester, New Hampshire; Bridgewater, New Jersey and New York City.

The study on the 200 Most and Least Expensive Cities for Assisted Living in 2024 came from an analysis of data across 782 cities and town across the country.  The average monthly cost nationally is $4,567, with rents ranging from $1,126 in Lake Mary, FL to $9,711 in Princeton, New Jersey.

Seniorly notes that “Despite the financial burden, living in an assisted living facility and being part of a community with people in a similar stage in life has countless benefits including 24-hour care, activities, social events, entertainment, and healthy food.”