4th
OVERALL STATE RANK
State scorecard
How we determine rankings
Our 2023 state ranking for assisted living uses A Place for Mom’s proprietary data collected from our community partners. First, we sorted through our metrics and grouped them into three pillars that are key in a quality assisted living experience. We weighted these pillars differently based on insights from our senior living experts. Then, we used these categories and their weighting to determine how each state ranks. Read our full methodology
Top ranked Alabama cities for assisted living overall
Key findings
State highlights
Assisted living facilities in Alabama foster a close-knit sense of community. Over 79% of our partner communities have designated activity directors to plan events and social opportunities for residents. Nearly 78% plan birthday and holiday parties, while 85% offer devotional activities on-site.
Top ranked Alabama cities - Services & Amenities
Key findings
Alabama vs. the national monthly median cost of assisted living
Top ranked Alabama cities - Affordability
Key findings
Top ranked Alabama cities - Ratings
My very special family member is a resident of the Gardens of Eufaula Assisted Living. She is thriving since moving in. She enjoys the other residents and the friendly staff. She says its her home away...
The staff is great the place did not have the usual odor that most places do, everything clean and neat. I have told others about Limestone Lodge, I have nothing but good things to say. Again I would love to...
1. Everyone has always been helpful with my mother. 2. When needed, they will call and keep my brother and I informed. 3. I have not had anyone to be rude, everyone has always answered my questions. 4. I...
The staff is friendly and efficient. Property well maintained. Abundant social activities to engage in. I would recommend the community to others who are searching for one.
Very nice facilities - elegant common areas. The staff all take the time to learn resident's names and speak to them by name when they see them. The staff would also introduce themselves to me when I visited...
The entire family loves Wellpoint. It's obvious that the staff loves her. We truly feel like we now have a support system of people who care.
All employees showed sincere caring about/for the residents. More than service with a smile! I have recommended Kauhale to others already. It's a small enough community to not feel lost in the crowd. All...
My husband had excellent care. He was there from [date removed] until his death [date removed]. The staff were helpful and never demeaning. He loved to sit on the patio and they'd get him out as much as...
They are constantly looking out for the residents. The facility is newly updated. Mom and her husband are very happy being there.
My mom needed more care but they were above and beyond kind and helpful for my mom and our family. The best of people there. They were intentional in caring for my mom.
One big issue we had with many other memory care facilities is that most of the residents appeared pretty stagnant. The reason that was an issue is that our mom is the opposite of stagnant. The only thing...
What we like the most about Brookdale University Park are the directors and staff making it seem like home as much as possible and the willingness to accommodate
I would answer these all with 5. This is a really nice place, clean, food is good, staff is awesome. We would absolutely recommend the community to others! The rooms are cleaned once a week, laundry is done...
The average monthly cost of assisted living in Alabama in 2026 is $3,961 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. [01] Our average costs are calculated using the starting base rent for room and board as provided by our partner communities. Base rent generally includes housing, meals, and access to shared community spaces. Personal care services and other add-ons — such as transportation, pet fees, or salon visits — are often billed separately.
Assisted living costs in Alabama compare favorably to the rest of the Southeast, though they are a little higher than those of its neighbors. On average, costs in Georgia and Mississippi are lower, and in Tennessee and Louisiana, they’re higher. Within the state, Mobile tends to offer lower starting rates, while costs in Birmingham and Huntsville trend above the state average cost.
For seniors who don’t need personal care and are looking to continue an active lifestyle, independent living may be a more affordable alternative. In Alabama, many independent living communities share a campus with an assisted living facility, which can ease the transition to higher levels of care.
Read more:Assisted Living vs. Independent Living: What’s the Difference?
Average monthly costs
Alabama
US National average
Average monthly costs
Average monthly costs
Average monthly costs
| Community type | Alabama | U.S. | Cost difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assisted Living | $3,961/mo | $4,749/mo | 16.6% below national median |
| Memory Care | $4,022/mo | $5,012/mo | 19.8% below national median |
| Independent Living | $3,616/mo | $4,209/mo | 14.1% below national median |
Let our care assessment guide you
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
Many families use a combination of private funds, such as income and savings, and public benefit programs, such as VA benefits and Medicaid, to pay for assisted living. Because costs and eligibility can vary widely, it’s best to plan early to understand which payment options apply to your loved one’s situation. For a high-level overview of payment options, consult our guide to paying for long-term care.
Private pay is the most common way families pay for assisted living in Alabama. Options can include pensions, assets, retirement accounts, and personal savings. Proceeds from the sale of a home, investment income, and Social Security benefits can also be used. Long-term care insurance may cover assisted living costs, although seniors must purchase these policies before they need care.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers eligible veterans and their surviving spouses a variety of benefits to help offset the costs of assisted living in Alabama. Navigating these benefits can be difficult, but a VA-accredited representative can assist with applying, filing appeals, and more. The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) has veterans service offices (VSOs) in 62 counties throughout the state. You can find your local veterans service office on this map, or call the ADVA for assistance at 334-242-5077.
Read more: VA Benefits for Assisted Living: A Comprehensive Guide for Veterans
Medicaid is a government program that helps low-income individuals and people with disabilities access medical care and senior care services. At this time, Alabama Medicaid doesn’t cover care services provided to residents of assisted living communities through its regular Medicaid plan or through home- and community-based services waivers.
Medicare is a federally funded health insurance program available to people who are 65 and older and younger individuals who have disabilities or certain health conditions.[03] While Medicare doesn’t pay for assisted living, it can cover the cost of medically necessary items and services, including but not limited to:
Alabama’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides information and counseling on Medicare, Medicaid, and more. Get in touch with your local SHIP counselor by calling 800-243-5463.
Assisted living communities in Alabama are licensed and regulated by the Bureau of Health Provider Standards within the state’s Department of Public Health.
Alabama’s assisted living regulations address staff training, resident care standards, medication management, safety procedures, and facility operations. These rules are designed to help protect residents and maintain high-quality care across all communities in the state.
Understanding how assisted living is licensed will help you determine whether prospective communities can meet your loved one’s needs. In Alabama, there are two types of licenses:
Both standard assisted living and specialty care assisted living facilities are categorized according to how many residents they may serve:[04,05]
You can verify an Alabama assisted living facility’s license using the state’s Health Care Facilities Directory. You can also ask a community for its license number and most recent inspection report, or use the state’s Health Care Facilities Deficiencies lookup tool to see whether a facility has any deficiencies and what they are.
State regulations — and a community’s track record with inspections and licensing — offer important insights into safety and quality of care in senior living communities.
Download the Guide to Senior Living Licensure and Inspection Reports to learn what to look for in inspection reports and what questions to ask when touring communities. This resource explains how to use state licensure and inspection information to evaluate a community’s compliance, care standards, and responsiveness to issues.
Let our care assessment guide you
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
A Place for Mom. (2026). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
Alabama Medicaid. (2022, Oct. 1). Application for a 1915(c) home and community based services waiver.
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Get started with Medicare. Medicare.gov.
Alabama Department of Public Health. Chapter 420-5-4. Assisted Living Facilities.
Alabama Department of Public Health. Chapter 420-5-20. Specialty Assisted Living Facilities.
Assisted living state rankings report
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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