Best Assisted Living Facilities in Kansas City, MO

How to Find the Right Assisted Living Community for You

We spent hours researching the best assisted living communities in Kansas City, but that doesn’t guarantee the communities on our list are the right choice for you. Here are a few things to consider when comparing communities:

• Identify your needs: One community may offer different types of care than others. Prices can also vary based on the level of care that you need. That is why it’s important to speak with your health care provider and evaluate your needs. You may not require a lot of help now, but what about five years from now? Try to figure out what kind of assistance you need today and anticipate potential changes in the future.
• Review your budget: Be diligent in reviewing your budget and understand exactly how much each community charges before making a choice. While analyzing your budget, remember that Medicare doesn’t cover assisted living in most cases, and many seniors depend on Social Security benefits, retirement savings, and long-term care insurance to cover costs.
• Read reviews: Reading reviews from caregivers, family members, and residents will give you a glimpse into the pros and cons of each community. You shouldn’t take every single review at face value, but consider online reviews to help steer you toward the right community.
• Visit communities: Always visit a community before you agree to move in! Seeing an assisted living community in person can help you know exactly how you’d feel living there. Be sure to talk with residents, staff, and administrators, and don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions.
• Check licensing and certifications: While researching a community, check that it has up-to-date licensing and certifications.
• Trust your gut: At some point, you’ll probably find more than one community you like. If you’re struggling to make a decision, trust your instincts. Many communities may seem similar on the surface, so listening to your gut can help you make a decision.

What’s Living in Kansas City Like for Seniors?

Kansas City is a vibrant city experiencing explosive growth in many areas. It’s renowned for its sports teams, especially the Chiefs and Royals franchises, as well as its wealth of shopping centers and dining. Kansas City-style barbecue is considered a local staple. Entertainment venues feature world-famous Kansas City jazz.

Below is a quick look at what life is like for older adults in Kansas City:

• Climate: Kansas City has four seasons, though winter temperatures, with lows in the 20s, aren’t as frigid as those in the northeast or upper Midwest, where the thermometer can fall below zero. Snow doesn’t accumulate in Kansas City as much as it does in more rural areas of the state; average snowfall in the area ranges from just over two inches to 15 inches, depending on the reporting source. Summers can be hot and humid, as it’s located in the humid continental zone, with July and August temperatures approaching 90 degrees.
• Health care: There are currently 17 hospitals in Kansas City, which means there’s no shortage of care. The University of Kansas Hospital is ranked among the nation’s top 50 hospitals in eight specialties.
• Cost of living: Kansas City’s cost of living is 5 percent higher than the state average and 6 percent lower than the national average.
• Activities: With 220 parks, the 18th & Vine jazz district, world-renowned Kansas City-style barbecue, breweries, world class sports teams, and famous museums, there are plenty of things to do in Kansas City. Museums include the American Jazz Museum, the National WWI Museum and Memorial, and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
• Safety: Kansas City is a large metropolitan area with its share of individual and property crime.
• Tax structure: Missouri has a graduated individual income tax, with rates ranging from 2 to 4.95 percent. There are also jurisdictions that collect local income taxes. The state has a 4 percent corporate income tax rate. It doesn’t have an estate tax, but the federal government will levy an estate tax if your estate is worth enough. The exemption was $12.92 million for deaths in 2023. Missouri also doesn’t have an inheritance tax, which could have a positive impact on your estate planning.

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Kansas City, Missouri?

According to Genworth, the projected median cost of an assisted living community in the Kansas City, Missouri, area is $5,010 per month for Assisted living in Kansas City falls slightly higher than the national median, which is $4,500 per month in 2024, when compared to the costs in other cities and states. However, the costs can vary drastically based on the community you choose and the care you require. Memory care costs, for example, tend to be far higher than assisted living costs. Fortunately, you can shop around and find communities with starting prices well below average for the city.