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Bakersfield, California, is situated along the Kern River a little over 100 miles north of Los Angeles. The city has a population of just under 400,000, 9.7% of whom are seniors aged 65 years and older. Bakersfield has a comfortable climate, with highs in the summer below 100 degrees and lows normally well above freezing, making this a great place for seniors looking to escape from snow and extreme temperatures. Bakersfield has many outdoor recreational spaces, such as Kern River State Park and Lake Ming. Attractions in the city include museums, such as the California Living Museum, and events at the Spectrum Amphitheatre and the Mechanics Bank Arena.
Assisted living facilities offer residential living combined with customized assistance with tasks of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, household tasks and meals. According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, residents of assisted living facilities in Bakersfield, CA, pay an average of $3,750 per month, which is lower than both the California and national medians.
This guide provides more information on assisted living in Bakersfield, including options for paying for it and a list of local resources for seniors in Bakersfield.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in California. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities 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.
Residents of Bakersfield pay an average of $3,750 per month for assisted living.
At a monthly average of $3,750, assisted living in Bakersfield is significantly lower than California’s statewide average of $5,250. The national median is $4,500, which means that those in Bakersfield save an average of $750 per month on assisted living costs.
Bakersfield is among the most affordable cities in California for assisted living. Costs are slightly lower in other Central Valley communities, such as Visalia at an average of $3,450 and Stockton at $3,649, but slightly higher in others such as Fresno at $3,900. Assisted living costs in Santa Rosa are nearly twice as high as in Bakersfield at a monthly average of $7,048. Southern coastal residents in San Diego pay $5,475 for assisted living. Residents of the Inland Empire community of Riverside only pay slightly more than their Bakersfield counterparts at a monthly average of $4,000.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in California.
| Contact | Description | |
| Kern County Aging & Adult Services | (661) 868-1000 | Kern County Aging & Adult Services provides a wide variety of services and programs for adults 55 and over, such as the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) and referrals to credit counseling, legal aid and support groups. The staff can also help seniors complete applications for Medicare and assist with education and training. |
| Bakersfield Vet Center | (661) 323-8387 | The Bakersfield Vet Center assists veterans and their survivors and dependents with determining eligibility and applying for pensions, VA health care services, disability compensation and other programs that may help pay for assisted living, such as VA Aid and Attendance benefits. |
Consolidated Transportation Services Agency | (661) 392-2035 | CTSA provides transportation services for Bakersfield residents aged 60 and older, and those with disabilities, for medical appointments, grocery shopping, senior activities and other essential trips. Rides are provided at discounted fees and are available Monday through Friday. |
| Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance | (661) 325-5943 | Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance offers free legal services to low-income area seniors. The nonprofit provides help with civil legal matters, such as health care and public benefits, including denial of coverage or issues with accessing services. |
| Bakersfield Senior Center | (661) 325-1113 | Bakersfield Senior Center offers a wide variety of activities for older residents of the city, including sewing and exercise classes, bingo, a book club, Bible studies, board games and provides access to a pool table. The center also hosts the nutrition lunch program offered by Kern County Aging and Adult Services. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Bakersfield area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
