Compare independent living community costs across all 50 states and DC
Independent living communities offer maintenance-free housing with social activities and amenities for active seniors. No personal care is included — residents live independently but enjoy community dining, activities, and the security of on-site staff.
| # | State | Monthly Cost | vs. National Avg | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Missouri | $1,950/mo | 35% below | $23,400/yr |
| 2 | South Dakota | $2,181/mo | 27% below | $26,172/yr |
| 3 | North Dakota | $2,205/mo | 26% below | $26,460/yr |
| 4 | Kentucky | $2,243/mo | 25% below | $26,916/yr |
| 5 | Mississippi | $2,275/mo | 24% below | $27,300/yr |
| 6 | Utah | $2,275/mo | 24% below | $27,300/yr |
| 7 | Alabama | $2,276/mo | 24% below | $27,312/yr |
| 8 | Georgia | $2,298/mo | 23% below | $27,576/yr |
| 9 | South Carolina | $2,347/mo | 21% below | $28,164/yr |
| 10 | Nevada | $2,438/mo | 18% below | $29,256/yr |
| 11 | Louisiana | $2,440/mo | 18% below | $29,280/yr |
| 12 | Arkansas | $2,444/mo | 18% below | $29,328/yr |
| 13 | Idaho | $2,494/mo | 16% below | $29,928/yr |
| 14 | Oklahoma | $2,509/mo | 16% below | $30,108/yr |
| 15 | Arizona | $2,600/mo | 13% below | $31,200/yr |
| 16 | Florida | $2,600/mo | 13% below | $31,200/yr |
| 17 | Texas | $2,601/mo | 13% below | $31,212/yr |
| 18 | North Carolina | $2,607/mo | 13% below | $31,284/yr |
| 19 | Nebraska | $2,652/mo | 11% below | $31,824/yr |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $2,665/mo | 11% below | $31,980/yr |
| 21 | Tennessee | $2,671/mo | 10% below | $32,052/yr |
| 22 | West Virginia | $2,710/mo | 9% below | $32,520/yr |
| 23 | Wyoming | $2,714/mo | 9% below | $32,568/yr |
| 24 | Michigan | $2,763/mo | 8% below | $33,156/yr |
| 25 | Indiana | $2,787/mo | 7% below | $33,444/yr |
| 26 | Iowa | $2,842/mo | 5% below | $34,104/yr |
| 27 | Montana | $2,899/mo | 3% below | $34,788/yr |
| 28 | Illinois | $2,918/mo | 2% below | $35,016/yr |
| 29 | New Mexico | $2,929/mo | 2% below | $35,148/yr |
| 30 | Minnesota | $2,935/mo | 2% below | $35,220/yr |
| 31 | Kansas | $2,977/mo | 0% below | $35,724/yr |
| 32 | New York | $2,977/mo | 0% below | $35,724/yr |
| 33 | Wisconsin | $2,990/mo | 0% above | $35,880/yr |
| 34 | Ohio | $3,012/mo | 1% above | $36,144/yr |
| 35 | Colorado | $3,088/mo | 3% above | $37,056/yr |
| 36 | Maryland | $3,185/mo | 7% above | $38,220/yr |
| 37 | Oregon | $3,284/mo | 10% above | $39,408/yr |
| 38 | Connecticut | $3,334/mo | 12% above | $40,008/yr |
| 39 | California | $3,413/mo | 14% above | $40,956/yr |
| 40 | Vermont | $3,413/mo | 14% above | $40,956/yr |
| 41 | Virginia | $3,413/mo | 14% above | $40,956/yr |
| 42 | Hawaii | $3,494/mo | 17% above | $41,928/yr |
| 43 | Maine | $3,818/mo | 28% above | $45,816/yr |
| 44 | Delaware | $3,898/mo | 30% above | $46,776/yr |
| 45 | Washington | $3,900/mo | 31% above | $46,800/yr |
| 46 | New Hampshire | $3,939/mo | 32% above | $47,268/yr |
| 47 | Massachusetts | $4,225/mo | 42% above | $50,700/yr |
| 48 | New Jersey | $4,226/mo | 42% above | $50,712/yr |
| 49 | Alaska | $4,439/mo | 49% above | $53,268/yr |
| 50 | Rhode Island | $4,440/mo | 49% above | $53,280/yr |
| 51 | District of Columbia | $4,539/mo | 52% above | $54,468/yr |
Ranked cheapest to most expensive. Source: Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2024, adjusted to 2026.
Independent living communities (also called retirement communities or senior apartments) provide housing designed for active seniors who want a low-maintenance lifestyle with built-in social opportunities. Residents live in their own apartment or cottage and are fully independent.
Services typically include a private apartment, community dining options, social activities and events, fitness facilities, housekeeping, maintenance, transportation, and 24-hour security. Personal care services (bathing, dressing, medication management) are NOT included — residents must arrange these separately if needed.
Independent living is best suited for seniors who don't need help with daily activities but want to downsize, socialize, and eliminate home maintenance responsibilities. Many continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) offer independent living as the entry level, with assisted living and nursing care available on-site if needs change.
Use our interactive calculator to compare all 7 care types and project costs over time.
Open the CalculatorData sources: Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2024 (adjusted to 2026), World Population Review 2026, CareScout 2024, state Medicaid agency publications. Costs represent state medians — individual facility prices will vary. Last updated March 2026.