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St. Louis’ iconic 630-foot arch celebrates the diverse people who’ve called the city home. Currently, more than 301,000 residents live in St. Louis, including over 41,000 seniors aged 65 or older. The city is well-known for its many parks that help it earn high marks on the AARP Livability Index. St. Louis’ strong base of cultural and entertainment amenities appeal to some seniors. Proximity to medical care is also crucial for aging adults to lead healthy lives, and St. Louis has several top-rated hospitals, including Barnes-Jewish Hospital. It consistently earns national rankings for geriatric health care. Seniors on a budget benefit from the city’s overall cost of living being nearly 19% below the national average.
Independent seniors who are seeking a residential facility that provides assistance with daily tasks but don’t regularly need high-level medical care may find assisted living appealing. According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of assisted living in St. Louis is $4,100, significantly higher than the state average.
This guide covers assisted living in St. Louis, including a comparison of average assisted living costs in other Missouri cities. It also provides a rundown of free or low-cost resources for seniors.
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.
Assisted living communities in St. Louis charge an average of $4,100 per month. However, the final price can vary based on the type and number of amenities and services a community offers.
St. Louis’ average cost of assisted living is substantially higher than Missouri’s overall statewide average of $3,000 per month by $1,100. However, it’s still $400 under the national average of $4,500.
The elevated cost of assisted living in St. Louis makes it higher than every listed city in the state but one. Kansas City has the highest average at $4,585. Conversely, Jefferson City has the lowest average at $2,075, which is nearly half the cost of assisted living in St. Louis. Among the cities between these two extremes, Cape Girardeau averages $2,538, Columbia sits at $2,800, Joplin is $5 higher at $2,895, Springfield costs $3,250, and St. Joseph comes in at $3,875.
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 |
| St. Louis Area Agency on Aging | (314) 612-5918 | SLAAA maintains a comprehensive system of community-based services to support older adults in St. Louis to ensure that they receive the support they need. It serves seniors aged 60 or older and disabled residents aged 18 to 59. Of the many programs and services it administers, the ones that may be most beneficial to seniors in assisted living include the AARP Tax-Aide Program for Seniors, the Functional Needs Registry, senior transportation, health care options and government benefits assistance. Chronic disease prevention and health promotion services are also available. |
| Senior Centers in St. Louis | Contact individual senior centers | Senior centers in St. Louis offer safe places for older adults to socialize with peers. These centers provide numerous opportunities to participate in activities that help residents stay healthy, active and engaged. Programs provided at the city’s senior centers vary by location, but they generally offer health screenings, transportation, congregate meals, computer classes, exercise classes, tax assistance programs, live speakers and benefits assistance. St. Louis has at least 11 senior centers across the city. |
| Metro Transit Reduced Fare Programs | (314) 982-1495 | Seniors aged 65 and older, riders with disabilities and anyone on Medicare is eligible for the Metro Transit’s Reduced Fare Programs. Older adults can apply for a Senior Reduced Fare Permit that allows them to ride MetroBus and MetroLink half price. They may obtain their permit for free by applying in person at the MetroStore or at one of the Metro Transit’s mobile registration events. Metro Transit also operates the On The Way With ADA program that allows ADA paratransit riders to ride MetroLink and MetroBus for free. |
| Missouri Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program | (800) 309-3282 | The Missouri LTCOP is a statewide network of individuals who help residents in long-term care facilities, including assisted living communities. Ombudsmen protect LTC residents’ rights and ensure that the facilities maintain their quality of life. When an ombudsman takes action on a complaint from a resident, the aim is to provide encouragement and support. Ombudsmen attempt to empower residents to solve their problems independently when possible, but they can step in or alert state authorities if needed. |
| County Older Resident Programs | (314) 615-4516 | CORP offers various programs and services to serve the needs of St. Louis residents aged 60 and older. It’s the leader of the St. Louis County Age-Friendly Community Action Plan. Transportation services are available to seniors in assisted living. Volunteer drivers take seniors to medical appointments and other high-priority destinations without cost. They can prepare federal and state tax returns for income-eligible seniors and assist with insurance claims forms. Trained staff provide information about federal, state and local benefits programs. They can also supply information about other senior resources within the community and make appropriate referrals. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Saint Louis 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.
