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October 25, 2019

Families looking for assisted living in Florida (FL) have a wide array of communities to choose from, since estimated that there are more than 30,000 assisted living communities serving seniors across the U.S., and over 1,776 statewide. The state is also home to a rapidly growing number of senior citizens, with adults over 65 making up an estimated 20.1 percent of the population. A resident in an assisted living community in Florida will pay $3,500 per month on average.

Genworth lists the average cost of a private, one bedroom unit in an assisted living community in Florida as $3,605. This places Florida on the lower end of the scale at about $400 under the national average, and about $100 higher than the median cost of assisted living in nearby states.

Compare Monthly Care Costs

When it comes to care options, assisted living is just one of several choices available to seniors. Some care options, like part-time in-home care or independent living, may cost less, while others like memory care or skilled nursing are likely to cost significantly more. Seniors can speak with their medical practitioners to receive guidance on what level of care will best suit their needs and abilities.

When estimating the cost of assisted living, it's important to know that average prices can differ significantly between various parts of Florida. For example, assisted living rates in areas such as Tallahassee are at least $800 more than the state average of $3,605, but in areas like Sebring, you're saving on average $500. The most affordable region in Florida for assisted living is Lakeland, Winter Haven at $2,892.

What You Should Know About Assisted Living in Florida

Florida assisted living communities are referred to as "Assisted Living Facilities," or ALFs, and they require a state license to provide care. In addition to the general ALF license, Florida also offers three specialty licenses that allow ALFs to increase the scope of care they are eligible to provide:

Extended congregate care (ECC) qualifies ALFs to provide additional nursing services and complete personal care assistance.
Limited nursing services (LNS) qualifies ALFs to provide additional care by licensed nurses within the scope of their profession.
Limited mental health (LMH) qualifies ALFs to provide limited mental health services according to a community support plan created with the resident and his or her case manager.

Here is comprehensive information on topics like financial support and care options that are available. You can read more about our work here: