Senior living in Pennsylvania
If you want to retire, then the Keystone State may be an excellent place to set your anchor. It's a beautiful state for nature, a top location for agriculture and forestry. However, if you like city life, Pennsylvania has that as well. If you want surprising weather, Pennsylvania is also a good place for that, as you might get all four seasons here. Finally, it's a beautiful state with a lot of culture, making it a good choice if you want to retire. With that said, how does the cost of living compare with the rest of the country? Let's find out.
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Cost of living in Pennsylvania
Unfortunately, Pennsylvania is a state where the cost of living is slightly higher than the national average, though by less than two points. One of the most expensive parts of this city is transportation, so be mindful of that. Utilities and groceries are also nearly 10 points higher than the national average. However, the median home cost is over $100K less than the national average, and the average cost of rent is less. So if you play your cards right, you can find affordable living in Pennsylvania and have a great retirement.
Cost-of-living indices
100 = US average. Higher means more expensive.
- Overall
- 101.7
- Grocery
- 109.3
- Housing
- 100.6
- Utilities
- 109.5
- Transportation
- 112
- Misc.
- 102.9
Housing & rent
Statewide medians and averages.
- Median home
- $180,200
- Average rent
- $938
- Studio
- $782
- 1 bedroom
- $840
- 2 bedroom
- $1,033
- 3 bedroom
- $1,154
Care levels in Pennsylvania
Whether you're comparing options for a parent or planning ahead for yourself, here's where to start by care level.
- AL
Assisted Living
Assisted living provides personal care, meals, and daily support for seniors who need help with everyday tasks but not full medical supervision.
- MC
Memory Care
Memory care is a specialized type of senior living for people with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or other cognitive decline.
- IL
Independent Living
Independent living is community housing for active seniors who want amenities, social life, and freedom from home upkeep without daily personal-care services.
- HC
Home Care
Home care brings personal-care services and companionship into the senior's own home rather than moving them into a community.
- SNF
Nursing Homes
A skilled nursing facility (SNF, often called a nursing home) provides 24-hour licensed medical care and rehabilitation for seniors with serious health conditions.
- SA
Senior Apartments
Senior apartments are age-restricted rental homes - typically for residents 55+ or 62+ - designed for older adults who live independently.
Browse by city
Popular cities in Pennsylvania
- Allison Park, PA53 communities
- Bethel Park, PA49 communities
- Allentown, PA46 communities
- Ambler, PA35 communities
- Hermitage, PA35 communities
- Butler, PA30 communities
- Abington, PA26 communities
- Philadelphia, PA26 communities
- Erie, PA24 communities
- Lancaster, PA24 communities
- York, PA23 communities
- Annville, PA21 communities
Hand-picked from our directory
Top assisted living in Pennsylvania
Rose Tree Place
Bala Cynwyd, PA
4.3 · 44 reviews
Chestnut Knoll Personal Care And Memory Care
Boyertown, PA
4.8 · 41 reviews
Bellingham Retirement Community
Coatesville, PA
4.1 · 41 reviews
The Birches At Harleysville
Harleysville, PA
4.6 · 33 reviews
The Quadrangle
Haverford, PA
3.6 · 33 reviews
Heritage Hill Senior Community
Lehighton, PA
4.9 · 32 reviews
Caregivers who come to you
Top home care in Pennsylvania
Local pricing
Assisted living monthly cost by city in Pennsylvania
Median monthly cost of assisted living, sourced from public data. Actual community pricing varies by apartment size, level of care, and amenities.
| City | Avg. monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Aaronsburg | $6,113.00 |
| Abbottstown | $6,010.00 |
| Abington | $6,010.00 |
| Ackermanville | $6,010.00 |
| Acme | $6,010.00 |
| Acosta | $5,955.00 |
| Adah | $5,928.00 |
| Adamsburg | $5,272.00 |
| Adamstown | $4,999.00 |
| Adamsville | $4,917.00 |
| Addison | $4,917.00 |
| Adrian | $4,887.00 |
| Airville | $4,753.00 |
| Akron | $4,521.00 |
| Alba | $4,370.00 |
| Albion | $4,261.00 |
| Albrightsville | $4,020.00 |
Common questions about senior living in Pennsylvania
- What types of senior care are available in Pennsylvania?
- Pennsylvania has communities offering assisted living, memory care, independent living, home care, and skilled nursing. Larger metros have more depth of options across all care levels; smaller markets may have fewer choices in any single category.
- How much does assisted living cost in Pennsylvania?
- Assisted living costs in Pennsylvania vary widely by metro, apartment size, and the resident's level of care. The national median is roughly $5,000 per month; major metros tend to run higher and rural areas lower. Each community sets its own pricing - request a written cost breakdown when you tour.
- Does Pennsylvania Medicaid pay for assisted living?
- Medicaid does not pay for room-and-board in assisted living, but Pennsylvania's Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver may cover some assisted-living services for eligible residents. Coverage and eligibility vary - check directly with your state's Medicaid agency or an elder-law attorney.
- How do I evaluate a nursing home in Pennsylvania?
- Start with the CMS 5-star rating on Medicare.gov for any Medicare-certified facility, then look at the underlying staffing data and the most recent state inspection report. Tour the facility, watch staff interact with residents, and ask about staffing levels during evenings and overnight.
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