5th
OVERALL STATE RANK
Assisted living in Indiana gives Hoosiers access to high-quality care and thoughtful amenities while allowing them to remain close to the communities they know and love. Whether in vibrant cities like Indianapolis and Fort Wayne or in smaller towns with deep local roots, seniors can find communities that offer personalized support with activities of daily living, social programming, and health services designed to promote independence. Indiana’s relatively low cost of living, central location, and blend of urban and small-town lifestyles make it an appealing choice for older adults and their families. According to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data, the average cost of assisted living in Indiana is $4,029 per month, or just over $48,000 per year.
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 Indiana cities for assisted living overall
Key findings
State highlights
Indiana ranks very highly for its outstanding services and amenities among A Place for Mom’s partner communities in the area. According to our proprietary data, over 98% of Indiana’s assisted living communities offer on-site activities, more than 84% offer medication management, and over 65% are pet-friendly.[01]
Top ranked Indiana cities - Services & Amenities
Key findings
Indiana vs. the national monthly median cost of assisted living
Top ranked Indiana cities - Affordability
Key findings
Top ranked Indiana cities - Ratings
Before my parents made any decisions, we toured 10 different places. Not one place stuck out to us above Residences at Coffee Creek. Not only does it look and feel beautiful, the residents and staff make...
It’s a smaller facility, and each staff member truly knows every resident’s name and story—it’s impressive. We toured several facilities in the area, and Magnolia stood out for offering the best balance of...
I love the personnel at Northwood Village. Always caring and attentive to the patients. Everyone is friendly and makes my mom feel like she is with family. North Woods Village is the place to bed. I would...
The staff is very friendly. They have some great little outings that are great for my mom, and she's pretty happy with the meals. She's adjusting and really enjoying even some of the other residents. The...
It was a short but very good experience at Traditions, especially the Nursing Staff and Director of Nursing! The Director is really involved with residents and directly helped me with my aunt several times...
It’s a smaller facility, and each staff member truly knows every resident’s name and story—it’s impressive. We toured several facilities in the area, and Magnolia stood out for offering the best balance of...
Our family couldn't be more grateful for the care Crown Pointe/Chapters SeniorLiving of Carmel has provided to my Father. From the moment we walked in for a tour, we knew this was the right place. The staff...
My over-all experience was ok. They have some things appeal to most residents-but's is not the best one for the price we are a tough bunch to please. Our backgrounds are diverse and we can range from,...
One of my best friends and former coworker and her husband moved into Greenwood Village several years ago. They performed their due diligence in reviewing multiple facilities before making their final...
Food very good, staff good, activities good, cleanliness good. Price was astounding high. I had to pay so much for the 30 days, that my husband was in the hospital and than hospice. I felt like I was ripped...
Visited my sister, [name removed] while I was in Indy for Christmas. We had a very god visit. I was glad to see the remodeling work in the hallways. Painted the walls and doors. This will “brighten”...
This place has been nothing but great since I put my mom there. Everybody goes the extra mile whether it’s maintenance with her TV ,trying to help me with endless paperwork, or the nurses who just take such...
I enjoy and appreciate using the Library at Story Point; however, it would be very helpful if books printed in large print were all in a special location area.
The staff is very friendly and supportive. I would recommend them to others who are searching for a place for their loved one. I find the staff to be very helpful, especially when we are navigating new...
Indiana’s average cost of assisted living in 2026 is $4,029 per month, which is lower than the national average of about $4,800 per month. This cost includes the base rent in our partner communities and doesn’t include health care services, pet fees, or luxury amenities. Typically, assisted living costs increase as floor plan size increases, care levels become more advanced or specialized, and amenities become more luxurious.
Compared with other Midwestern states, assisted living in Indiana is slightly more affordable. Ohio, Michigan, and Kentucky each offer assisted living under $5,000 per month, while Illinois’ average is more than $5,000 per month. Within the state, the second-largest city of Fort Wayne offers the lowest average monthly cost of assisted living at $3,650. The capital of Indianapolis and the Kentucky-border city of Evansville are more expensive, but still less than the national average.
For seniors living with dementia, memory care in Indiana averages about $5,000 per month. This makes assisted living an affordable option for seniors who need specialized dementia care.
Read more:Assisted Living vs. Independent Living: What’s the Difference?
Average monthly costs
Indiana
US National average
Average monthly costs
Average monthly costs
Average monthly costs
| Community type | Indiana | U.S. | Cost difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assisted Living | $4,065/mo | $4,842/mo | 16.1% below national median |
| Memory Care | $5,122/mo | $5,619/mo | 8.8% below national median |
| Independent Living | $3,263/mo | $4,250/mo | 23.2% below national median |
Let our care assessment guide you
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
Families in Indiana can pay for assisted living through a variety of methods, and most tend to use a combination of private and publicly funded sources. 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. Below, you’ll find potential options and resources. You can also find a high-level overview of payment options in our guide to paying for long-term care.
Private funds, such as personal savings, Social Security benefits, retirement and pension accounts, investment income, and other assets, such as the proceeds from the sale of a house, are the most common way that families pay for assisted living. Long-term care insurance may also be used, but these policies must be purchased before care is needed.
Read more: 5 Things to Consider When Selling a House to Pay for Senior Care
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides benefit programs for eligible veterans and their surviving spouses. Payments from these programs can be used however the recipient sees fit, including paying for services in assisted living. Veterans who are unsure about available benefits, their eligibility, or how to apply should contact a VA-accredited benefits counselor for guidance. The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs connects veterans and their families to county veterans service officers (VSOs). Find a local VSO or call the central office at 800-457-8283.
Read more: VA Benefits for Assisted Living: A Comprehensive Guide for Veterans
Medicaid is a state and federal health care insurance program for individuals with limited income. Indiana Medicaid won’t cover room and board in an assisted living facility, but it can be used to cover certain personal and health care services, such as:
Indiana covers these services through two primary Medicaid programs for older adults: the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) Medicaid program and the Pathways for Aging managed care program. Most Indiana residents aged 60 and older who qualify for Medicaid are required to enroll in Pathways for Aging.[02,03]
For help with Medicaid applications or to check on the status of an application, use the INconnect Alliance’s lookup tool to find a local Aging and Disability Resource Center or call 800-713-9023.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people aged 65 or older and people with disabilities. While Medicare won’t cover assisted living costs, it can be to pay for medically necessary services delivered to residents of assisted living communities.[04]
Indiana’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free benefits counseling for health insurance related to Medicare. They can help you and your loved one determine eligibility, file claims, help with applications, and more. Call 800-452-4800.
In Indiana, an assisted living community may be licensed as a residential care facility, or it may not be licensed at all. The Indiana Department of Health (DOH) licenses residential care facilities, which are defined as facilities that provide residential nursing care or administer medications prescribed by a physician.[05] The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) maintains a registry of facilities with the designation Housing with Services Establishments. These facilities don’t provide residential nursing care, don’t administer medication, and aren’t required to be licensed.[06]
Regulations governing residential care facilities define standards in facility operations, staff training, and resident care, and are designed to ensure seniors get high-quality, affordable care. The DOH ensures compliance with regulations, investigates complaints, and conducts health and safety surveys.
To verify a community’s license status and see any complaints or investigation outcomes, use the Indiana DOH Health Care Providers Consumer Reports database.
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.
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. Traditional Medicaid.
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. Indiana Pathways for Aging.
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Get started with Medicare. Medicare.gov.
National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL). (2022). Assisted living state regulatory review.
Indiana Department of Health. Residential Care.
Overview of assisted living in IN
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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