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Low taxes, affordable housing and a mild climate make Ocala, Florida, an attractive place to retire. In 2019, Ocala had a population of just under 60,800, and nearly 19% of those people were aged 65 and older. Florida has no state income tax, which means seniors pay no taxes on their Social Security benefits. It also has low property taxes and a state sales tax of just 6%, making it an excellent place for seniors on fixed incomes. In Ocala, Silver Springs State Park and Fort King National Historic Park are ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, while the Appleton Museum of Art and Marion County Museum of History and Archaeology offer a chance to get out of the sun and enjoy some of the city’s best cultural attractions.
Seniors requiring support to live independently can move into an assisted living community. These facilities provide 24/7 assistance with daily tasks, such as bathing and grooming, and organize a variety of fun and social activities to ensure residents remain active. Ocala’s assisted living costs an average of $3,850 per month, which is lower than both the state and national medians.
This guide looks at how the cost of assisted living in Ocala compares to the rest of the state and the nation. It also lists financial resources that seniors can access to help them cover the cost of assisted living.
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 Florida. 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 Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey 2021, assisted living costs an average of $3,850 per month in Ocala.
At $3,850, assisted living in Ocala is slightly lower than the Florida median of $4,000 and $650 below the national average of $4,500.
With assisted living costing $3,850, Ocala is one of the most affordable cities in northern Florida with seniors in Tallahassee and Jacksonville paying $4,650 and $4,660 respectively. In the region, only Gainesville facilities charge less at $2,350 per month, one of the cheapest rates in the state. Costs vary in other major cities with Miami ($4,385) and Orlando ($4,000) seniors paying more than Ocala residents and assisted living facilities in Tampa charging $3,350, $500 less per month than those in Ocala.
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 Florida.
| Contact | Description | |
| Elder Options | (352) 378-6649 | In Florida, Area Agencies on Aging operate as Aging and Disability Resource Centers. Ocala, located in Marion County, is part of PSA region 3, which is served by Elder Options. This agency provides services to help seniors stay healthy as they age and understand their options for long-term care. Additional services are available to seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. |
| VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic | (352) 369-3320 | Ocala has a community-based outpatient clinic operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The clinic offers preventive and diagnostic services to seniors who are eligible for veterans’ benefits through the VA. If staff determine that a senior should be hospitalized, a transfer to a VA facility in Lake City or Gainesville will be arranged. |
| Adult Activity Centers | (352) 629-2489 | Ocala has two senior centers operated by the Parks and Recreation Department. The Barbara Gaskin Washington Adult Activity Center is open on weekdays and provides a variety of activities, including bingo, fitness classes and a gardening club. The Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center is also open every weekday. Seniors can participate in karaoke, bingo, card games and other activities during operating hours. |
| Elder Helpline | (800) 262-2243 | Florida has an elder helpline for each county in the state. The Marion County Elder Helpline connects seniors with referral specialists who can help them find local assisted living facilities and other resources. |
| Marion Senior Services | (352) 620-3501 | Marion Senior Services provides a variety of services to help seniors remain in their own homes or in community facilities. For seniors already living in assisted living facilities, Marion Senior Services may be able to provide transportation to off-site appointments. The agency also provides case management services and helps seniors access the services they need to remain healthy. |
| Florida Department of Elder Affairs | (850) 414-2004 | The Florida Department of Elder Affairs connects seniors with the services they need to maintain their physical and emotional well-being. In addition to operating elder help lines throughout the state, FDEA offers programs for seniors with dementia and educates people on the problem of elder abuse. The department accepts abuse reports via its hotline at (800) 962-2873. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Ocala 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.
