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Berkeley is on the eastern shores of the San Francisco Bay, providing seniors with a mild year-round climate. The area receives lower than average rainfall and no snow. Its proximity to San Francisco, just 14 miles away, gives seniors easy access to big-city amenities. However, Berkeley has a local hospital and medical clinics. California doesn’t tax Social Security income and those with modest incomes enjoy reasonable income tax rates. Berkeley is home to around 117,000 people, including over 18,000 seniors aged 65 or older who may benefit from the supportive environment of assisted living.
Seniors who need minimal nursing care and limited personal assistance might find an ideal alternative to nursing homes in assisted living communities. Per the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of assisted living in Berkeley is $6,319, higher than the state and national averages but not the highest in the area.
This guide details assisted living in Berkeley, including average costs of assisted living in nearby cities for comparison. It also provides a list of free or low-cost senior services in Berkeley and throughout Alameda County.
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.
The average cost of assisted living in Berkeley is $6,319, but a community’s total price can vary based on its location, housing options, services and amenities.
Berkeley’s prime location on the Bay makes its average assisted living costs more than the state average of $5,250 by about $1,000. It’s even higher than the national average of $4,500.
Of the cities closest to Berkeley, Stockton has the lowest monthly cost at $3,649, nearly $2,700 less. Yuba City’s price of $4,658 and Vallejo at $4,950 per month are also substantially less than Berkeley’s average. However, San Jose’s monthly average cost is only lower than Berkeley’s by $319, but Napa is closest in price at $6,300. Santa Rosa is the nearest city with a higher cost than Berkeley at $7,048 per month.
Note: Data for Berkeley was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, San Francisco, was used instead.
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.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
| Alameda County Area Agency on Aging | (510) 577-1907 | The Alameda County Agency on Aging is the local branch of a national network providing programs and services for local seniors. Through partnerships with public and private entities and community-based organizations, the agency supports the social health, physical health and well-being of older adults throughout the county, including in Berkeley. Its services and resources include the Aging & Disability Resource Connection, ombudsman services, nutrition programs, and the Age-Friendly Alameda County website. |
| Legal Assistance for Seniors | (510) 832-3040 | Legal Assistance for Seniors provides free information and legal advice to seniors in Alameda County only, which includes those in Berkeley. Its free services include training on legal issues, community education, representation in court and administrative hearings and referrals to other community resources. Common issues LAS tackles include health laws, housing, conservatorship, public benefits, social security benefits and elder abuse. |
| Berkeley Rides for Seniors & the Disabled | (510) 981-7269 | BRSD provides free rides to Berkeley seniors aged 70 or older or disabled, East-Bay Paratransit certified persons of any age or income. The program pays a limited dollar amount for rides in conventional taxis, offers free wheelchair van vouchers and operates the GoGoGrandparent program. GGG is a call center that arranges free rides with Uber and Lyft on a limited basis. |
| Berkeley Senior Centers | North:(510) 981-5190South:(510) 981-5170 | Judge Henry Ramsey Jr. South Berkeley Senior Center and the North Berkeley Senior Center offer support programs and life enrichment activities for area seniors. With two convenient locations, seniors can participate in classes, field trips, social events, wellness clinics and other programs and activities to promote independence and community engagement. |
| Alameda County Senior Information and Assistance Hotline | (800) 510-2020 | Alameda County’s Senior Information and Assistance team operates a dedicated hotline providing seniors with information on services available to older adults in Berkeley and throughout the county. Operators provide callers with direct referrals to senior services and help them navigate through the various elderly programs available. Senior Information & Assistance also publishes numerous resource guides to help seniors find needed services. |
| Alameda County Veterans Service Office (CVSO) | (510) 577-1926 | The Alameda CVSO provides veterans with information and helps them obtain their benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, CalVet and other federal, state and local agencies administering programs for veterans. Its accredited Veteran Services Representatives help veterans navigate the complex claims and application process and ensure the completion of all necessary applications and forms. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Berkeley 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.
