31st
OVERALL STATE RANK
In the “Show-Me State” of Missouri, assisted living communities provide long-term residential care with services tailored to each resident’s needs. Seniors can find options in major hubs like St. Louis and Kansas City as well as in scenic communities near the Ozarks. Along with social events, wellness programs, and enrichment activities, these communities offer support with activities of daily living, including dressing, bathing, eating, and medication management. In 2026, the average cost of assisted living in Missouri is $4,022 per month, or just over $48,000 per year, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[01] This cost is in line with national averages, making Missouri a balanced option for quality care and value.
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.
Top ranked Missouri cities for assisted living overall
Key findings
Top ranked Missouri cities - Services & Amenities
Key findings
Missouri vs. the national monthly median cost of assisted living
Top ranked Missouri cities - Affordability
Key findings
Top ranked Missouri cities - Ratings
My mother had the opportunity to move into Turners Rock Senior Living into a studio apartment two months ago. From day one and the very beginning of her time at Turners, mom embraced the community and set...
Overall it has a very safe and reliable environment for times when we cannot stop by to see our Mom due to travels. Both us and her are comfortable knowing she is in a caring and secure environment.
The facility and grounds. are beautiful and the gathering room downstairs with the bowling alley was utilized several times by our family in celebration events for my mom.The staff was easy to work with and...
The staff is very attentive. The atmosphere is friendly. They have many activities if you choose to do that. The apartments are very bright and welcoming also.
Everyone was very kind and helpful from staff to residents. The room needed some TLC-crumbs in drawer, washer leaks-needs new seal, oven dirty. It looked very nice for the most part, but just some detail...
Staff and community are warm and friendly. Food is outstanding. A bit pricey but the room is large and well lit. Good activities.
The facility and grounds. are beautiful and the gathering room downstairs with the bowling alley was utilized several times by our family in celebration events for my mom.The staff was easy to work with and...
Lots more men here than most places. Oftentimes men outnumber women in the dining room for breakfast especially. We chose the most expensive room that has a separate bedroom from the main living area with a...
What we like the most about the community is the availability of staff for questions or help. Also the community members welcoming my dad. Yes, we would recommend Park Place Senior Living at Winghaven to...
The Bus service is great! Lots of activities are available. The Workers are really helpful. The Rooms are well-lit and homey. Also Pets are welcome. Yes, I would recommend Garden Villas South to other...
Amenities - my dad likes hanging out in the lobby. He is comfortable in the apartment. The staff are accommodating and responsive.
The staff is very friendly and helpful. I completely trust them to care for my father. The staff that comes to clean his room does a wonderful job. My dad doesn't participate in the activities but the...
They seem to sincerely want to provide the best environment for their residents. I would definitely recommend, I'm very happy with the care they have given my parents, and most importantly the peace of mind...
The staff, medical, kitchen, activities director, front desk, and facilities manager, work like a team and are incredibly adaptable to the residents' needs. Everyone is super warm and open and made my mom...
The average monthly cost of assisted living in Missouri in 2026 is $4,022, which is $48,264 per year according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[01] This reflects a monthly savings of $787 compared to the national average of $4,809 per month. These costs reflect the base room and board in our partner assisted living communities. Luxury amenities and specialized services are typically billed separately. Prices can vary and are affected by several factors including location, services, and amenities offered, as well as specific care needs.
In Missouri, assisted living is generally more affordable than in neighboring states. To the north and south, Arkansas and Iowa offer comparable average monthly costs, while Illinois and Kansas are generally more expensive.[01]
Assisted living communities located in or near a larger city, such as St. Louis or Kansas City, are likely to have higher costs. The centrally located town of Columbia offers Missouri seniors an affordable option for assisted living, with an average cost of $3,818 per month.
Compared with other senior living options in Missouri, assisted living offers an affordable choice for seniors who need a bit of extra help. Seniors who are able to perform activities of daily living independently might explore independent living, which offers a savings of about $300 per month on average.
Read more: Assisted Living vs. Independent Living: What’s the Difference?
Average monthly costs
Missouri
US National average
Average monthly costs
Average monthly costs
Average monthly costs
| Community type | Missouri | U.S. | Cost difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assisted Living | $4,052/mo | $4,842/mo | 16.3% below national median |
| Memory Care | $5,551/mo | $5,619/mo | 1.2% below national median |
| Independent Living | $3,805/mo | $4,250/mo | 10.5% 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, savings, and retirement accounts, as well as publicly funded benefit programs, such as VA benefits and Medicaid, to pay for assisted living in Missouri. 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 that Missouri seniors cover the costs of assisted living. Sources include personal savings, Social Security benefits, pensions, investment or retirement accounts, long-term care insurance, or proceeds from the rental or sale of a home. Each person’s approach depends on the family’s assets and long-term financial goals.
Read more:Social Security Benefits Can Be Used to Pay for Assisted Living
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides pension and disability benefits for eligible senior veterans and their surviving spouses. Sifting through eligibility requirements and applying for benefits can be complicated and time-consuming. The Missouri Department of Public Safety’s Veterans Commission staffs offices throughout the state with accredited Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) who can provide counseling and help with applying for benefits. Find a local office, call 573-751-3779, or send an email to movets@mvc.dps.mo.gov.
Read more: VA Benefits for Assisted Living: A Comprehensive Guide for Veterans
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps eligible older adults pay for certain health and long-term care services. In Missouri, the program—known as MO HealthNet—can cover some of the costs for services provided to residents in assisted living communities through:[02]
To apply for Missouri Medicaid, elderly residents can:
Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65 or older. Medicare won’t pay for assisted living, but it may cover costs for medically necessary products and services that residents use or receive, such as medications, durable medical equipment, and more.[03]
Missouri’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP, provides free and unbiased counseling to educate seniors about health insurance and to help them choose the plan that works best for their financial and medical needs.
In Missouri, the state’s Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), issues two types of licenses for assisted living: the assisted living facility and the residential care facility. The difference between the two relates to residents’ ability to evacuate: assisted living facilities may host residents who require assistance to leave the premises, while residential care facilities must only admit people who can evacuate on their own.[04]
The DHSS oversees inspections and compliance with Missouri’s assisted living regulations, which are designed to ensure seniors receive high quality, affordable care. Regulations address such standards as staff training, facility operations, and resident care. Assisted living communities and residential care facilities must be inspected before they’re licensed, and twice annually once in operation.
Families who want to check Missouri assisted living licenses and inspection records can use the Show Me Long Term Care in Missouri look up tool. The tool allows you to search by county, city, or zip code to view area communities, their licensure status, any deficiencies, and how the community planned to rectify problems.
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.
Missouri Department of Social Services. Programs for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Get started with Medicare. Medicare.gov.
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. (2020, May 31). Rules of Department of Health and Senior Services. Division 30 Division of Regulation and Licensure. Chapter 86 residential care facilities and assisted living facilities.
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Nursing homes inspections.
Overview of assisted living in MO
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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