Many seniors find that living on their own and keeping up with the day-to-day becomes difficult as they age. If it’s become too much work to keep up with self-care, pay bills, take care of a pet, or maintain your home, assisted living might be a good option. However, there is a big unknown you’ll have to address first: the cost of assisted living in Massachusetts.
If you’re looking to change your living situation, it’s important to understand the costs associated with moving to an assisted living community and what’s included in those costs. This will help you make an informed decision about your budget, living options, and how to pay for them.
The Big Question: What Is the Cost of Assisted Living in Massachusetts?
The honest answer: it depends. There are hundreds of assisted living communities throughout Massachusetts, each with a unique price range.
Prices vary greatly depending on location, accommodation, services, amenities, and the community’s level of care.
Let’s zoom out and start with the nationwide picture: in a 2024 cost of care study, Genworth — a company founded with the goal of helping families effectively navigate the aging journey — found that the median cost of assisted living in the U.S. is $5,900 per month. It’s important to note, however, that this varies by state.
The median monthly cost of assisted living in Massachusetts is $7,120, while Worcester, where Briarwood is located, typically costs about $6,906 monthly. Want to learn more about how these costs vary within Massachusetts and across the country? See Genworth’s interactive care map for more information.
Factors Affecting Cost of Assisted Living
We outlined the general expectations for the cost of assisted living in Massachusetts above — but that’s just a snapshot of a much more detailed picture. What does this monthly cost entail? What factors may make a particular assisted living community more or less expensive? While every place is different, here are some of the key factors that have an impact on your overall price:
- Location. We already acknowledged that the state you live in will impact cost, but it gets even more detailed than that. The property values of a location impact the price of an assisted living community in the area. Facilities in expensive neighborhoods will cost more than those in more affordable areas.
- Housing type. Assisted living options don’t all look the same, which means they don’t all cost the same. For example, a studio apartment will be less expensive than a one-bedroom deluxe but more expensive than group housing. If you’re weighing your options, be sure to inquire about pricing for different housing options available to you. At Briarwood, we offer three types of assisted living apartments, as well as independent living apartments and cottages. Each of these options has a different cost.
- Amenities. One of the most important factors to consider: what’s included in the cost? A community that provides options for meals, cleaning services, and weekly activities will be more expensive than those that don’t — but keep in mind that these things have a cost no matter what. If you choose a less expensive community, but that community doesn’t cover food, you will still need to budget for meals. Be sure to evaluate the whole picture so you don’t end up with surprise costs.
- Your needs. Assisted living facilities exist to help seniors with activities of daily living. This could be as basic as a medication reminder, or include services such as help with dressing and personal hygiene. In some cases, seniors may need memory care assisted living services. The activities you need help with will most likely impact the price. You should also keep in mind that your needs may change over time. A continuing care retirement community like Briarwood is equipped to adapt to your changing needs, but that may also mean a change in price.
Getting the Most Value
We know what many of you are already thinking: $5,000-$7,000 a month is expensive and may seem out of budget for many seniors. But it’s important to remember that this cost covers more than just renting a place to live. Assisted living costs cover a wide range of expenses, often including food and transportation (just to name a few).
What does this look like in practice? At Briarwood Assisted Living, residents enjoy:
- 3 meals per day in our restaurant-style dining rooms
- A vibrant calendar of events and entertainment throughout our campus
- Access to a state-of-the-art wellness center
- Transportation to stores and events in the city and the larger Worcester area
- Weekly housekeeping services
Instead of paying separately for rent, home maintenance, food, transportation, and entertainment, you pay one upfront price for everything.
When considering the cost of assisted living in Massachusetts, it all comes down to finding the right balance and getting the most value. An assisted living community that appears more expensive on the surface may actually save you money in the long run.
Join the Briarwood Family
At Briarwood, we pride ourselves on creating an affordable community in Massachusetts that seniors can call home. If you or a family member are ready to move to a high-quality assisted living community, we’re here for you.
Thinking about a move to Briarwood? Don’t wait — call us today! We’ll be happy to answer any questions about the cost of assisted living in Massachusetts and what Briarwood has to offer.
We can’t wait to hear from you!
