Normal, Illinois, is a town in north central Illinois with a population of approximately 53,594 residents, about 5,842 of whom are aged 65 or older. The town’s low cost of living score (84.2 out of 100) is impressive against the national score of 100 and the state score of 93.4. The Carle BroMenn Medical Center is the major health care provider in Normal.
Assisted living communities strive to meet seniors’ needs in several areas, including self-care, safety and social activities. Multiple facilities in Normal means seniors have a choice of which place they feel is ideal. Data in the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey shows that seniors need to allocate approximately $5,160 every month ($660 more than the $4,500 national median) for care at an assisted living facility in Normal.
This guide compares costs of assisted living in Normal with other cities in Illinois as well as the state and national average and with other care types. It also discusses how seniors can pay for these costs and what resources could prove beneficial.
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 Illinois. 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.
For assisted living care, seniors in Normal pay an estimated $5,160 every month.
The average monthly cost for assisted living in Normal ($5,160) is more than the Illinois ($4,488) and national ($4,500) averages. Annually, seniors in Normal may pay approximately $61,920.
Seniors in Normal will likely pay more per month for assisted living care than their counterparts elsewhere in Illinois. At $5,160, Normal’s monthly median is $1,635 more expensive than Carbondale’s ($3,525) and $1,022 costlier than Danville ($4,138). Its monthly average is $778 more than Decatur ($4,382), $537 more than Kankakee ($4,623), $410 costlier than Champaign ($4,750) and $335 higher per month than Chicago ($4,825). Springfield ($5,110) is only $50 less each month than Normal’s median.
Note: Data for Normal was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Bloomington, 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 Illinois.
Resource | Contact | Service |
Connect Transit | (309) 828-9833 | After showing qualifying identification, seniors 65 or older can forgo paying the Connect Transit fare. Connect Transit is based in Normal. |
Bloomington-Normal YMCA | (309) 827-6233 | The Bloomington-Normal YMCA on South Main Street in Bloomington is open every day, but it opens extra early and closes late on weekdays. It offers an individual senior membership for those who are 65 or older. Seniors may be eligible for the SilverSneakers Classic program. |
ARC Activity and Recreation Center | (309) 888-9099 | The ARC Activity and Recreation Center is open Monday through Saturday, including operating 12-hours a day from Monday through Thursday. It has personal training available and an indoor walking track, and some of the many activities the center has include sign language classes, pickleball, music programs and domestic and international trips. A monthly newsletter provides those who are 55 and older information on the goings on. The center also offers Medicare guidance via its Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) service. |
Normal Public Library | (309) 452-1757 | The Normal Public Library on West College Avenue is open seven days of the week. It hosts numerous events and clubs, ranging from the Non-Fiction Book Club and the Romance Me Book Club to genealogy meet-ups and the Knitting and Crocheting Club. Registration may be required for some activities. The library offers printing, faxing and copying, and 3D printing is also available. It also allows patrons to check out a variety of items, such as telescopes, via its “Library of Things” collection. |
Illinois State University | (309) 438-5677 | Qualifying seniors who meet specific income criteria may be able to take for-credit courses tuition-free at Illinois State University, for the price of course fees. Founded in 1857, the school has a strong impact on life in Normal, including many town/gown interactions and its athletic programs, which offer year-round entertainment to sports fans. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Normal 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.