You’re considering your retirement and looking to make a change to less-maintenance, less intense house upkeep. Or maybe, you’re at the point when you want to keep living in your own home but realize there’s a chance you may need some additional support in the not-so-distant future. Or perhaps you’re a child with an aging parent who sees a slight decline in cognitive or physical ability. The scenarios are endless, but they all point to a shift to some sort of senior living community or solution. So, what’s it going to cost?
It would be great if there was a simple, straightforward price. But just as the driver to look for a 55+ community varies by person, so does the cost of living in one. Here’s what you can generally expect to encounter, though—along with some of the influencing factors—as you look at senior living communities throughout the D.C. area.
Location
As is the case for single-family housing or condos, the price of your community will be affected by its location. Typically, the closer to the city and the more elevated the surrounding area, the higher the price of your new home. Of course there are exceptions, but if you’re looking to fit into a certain budget, one of the easiest ways to match it is to look at areas a bit further out.
While pricing varies, there are a few general insights available.
According to the 2023 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the median cost of assisted living in the District is $9,563 per month. The national average is $4,500. This gap, among other things, indicates the impact location can have on cost.
For example, in the Baltimore area, the median cost of assisted living is $6,650 each month — almost $3,000 less than D.C. proper. Assisted living in Winchester, Virginia, similarly costs an average of $6,779 each month.
Type of living
One of the biggest factors that will influence your cost is the type of living and care you need. Many 55+ communities include single-family homes and a variety of amenities. In these communities, you’ll buy your own house and likely have an HOA or some type of ongoing community fee. But often, costs are more standardized than in non-55+ communities, and ownership is restricted by age.
The costs for a condo or apartment will vary even more by arrangement. If you’re in a fully independent living scenario, your costs will likely be lower than they would be for a single-family home. But as you look at the continuum of care, additional fees come into play — particularly as you approach assisted living, memory, and additional support services.
Looking again at the Genworth report, we can draw some examples. An in-home aid in Washington, D.C., is a monthly median cost of $4,957. Adult day health care in an established community is a median monthly cost of $3,358. The monthly median cost of a semi-private room in a higher level of care facility costs $14,068, while a private room runs just slightly higher at $14,448.
Availability of amenities
Many senior living communities offer incredible amenities, ranging from daily fitness classes to social activities, onsite tennis and pickleball courts, pools, and even wine cellars. The types of amenities available will drive your cost, as will any additional fees for optional, add-on access to enhanced services.
