Located on Missouri’s western state border, Kansas City lies approximately 155 miles from the state capital of Jefferson City and around 70 miles from Kansas’s capital of Topeka. Home to approximately 508,000, roughly 13.3% of the population is made up of individuals aged 65 and above. Seniors have convenient access to several high-performing hospitals, including the nationally ranked University of Kansas Health System and Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City. The overall cost of living is lower than the U.S. average, which can help retirees offset the higher-than-average tax rates. Well-connected by major highways and home to Kansas City International Airport, it’s easy for out-of-state loved ones to visit local seniors.
Assisted living facilities support seniors who can’t live independently and provide help with activities of daily living and personal care. However, they are not suitable for older adults who need the high level of clinical care provided in nursing homes. In Kansas City, assisted living care costs an average of $4,585 a month. While higher than the state average, it’s similar to national figures.
This guide provides an overview of assisted living and its associated costs in Kansas City, Missouri. It also contains a table of local resources to help individuals as they age.
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 Missouri. 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.
According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the average monthly cost of assisted living in Kansas City is $4,585.
Costing on average $4,585 per month, the price of assisted living care in Kansas City is on par with the nationwide average of $4,500. However, at $3,000 per month, statewide costs for assisted living are significantly more affordable than in Kansas City.
Kansas City is one of Missouri’s costliest locations for assisted living care. Seniors in St. Louis typically pay almost $500 less per month, with average rates of $4,100. Approximately 55 miles north of Kansas City in St. Joseph, average fees are $3,875. To the south in Joplin, prices drop to $2,805. Columbia shares a similar price, with a monthly median of $2,800. The state capital of Jefferson City has some of the state’s lowest prices for assisted living, with an average monthly cost of $2,075.
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 Missouri.
Resource |
Contact |
Service |
(816) 235-2870 |
Affiliated with the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the nonprofit SPARK Flossie Pack Center for Lifelong Learning offers diverse low-cost educational courses and events for its members. As well as joining classes on subjects such as history, art, music, mindfulness, cryptocurrency and literature, active seniors can meet new people who share similar passions. | |
(816) 753-1866 |
The community-based Kansas City Vet Center provides a range of services to improve the lives of veterans and their family members. Advisors help veterans maximize their income through pension advice, benefit checks and assistance with benefit claims and appeals. Free professional counseling is offered to aid veteran well-being, and advisors can provide information and signposting related to programs for health, education and employment. The Kansas City office is open between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, with Saturday appointments available on request. | |
(816) 472-4289 |
Active seniors can share their time and skills, meet new people, enrich their lives and help their local community when they join volunteer programs through United Way of Greater Kansas City. Voluntary positions may include visiting hospice residents, mentoring and tutoring young people, fundraising for local causes, helping at food pantries and caring for animals. | |
(866) 389-5627 |
AARP is a national nonprofit membership organization with a local branch in Kansas City. Older adults can join various online and in-person events, including fitness classes, workshops on vehicle and driver safety, trivia competitions, movie screenings and social meet-ups. The Kansas City branch also operates the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) and facilitates volunteer placements. Members can additionally benefit from discounts on leisure, travel, entertainment, dining and retail. | |
800-235-5503 |
Provided by Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services and funded through the Older Americans Act, the Senior Legal Hotline offers free legal advice to people aged 60 and above. Trained advisors can assist with civil matters, such as wills, powers of attorney, trusts and advance directives, and connect seniors with local legal representation. | |
(913) 573-8531 |
The Area Agency on Aging for Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties provides programs to help older adults live comfortably and safely. Services include free options and health insurance counseling, nutrition and fitness programs, dental care and the provision of hearing aids for low-income elders, transportation and benefits advice. The agency also operates Vernon Senior Center, where older adults can join enrichment activities such as arts and crafts, special interest groups, fitness classes, games, excursions and social events. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Kansas City 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.