Fresno is more than just an affordable place for your retirement. This diverse California community in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley is enriched with farm-to-fork dining, vast fruit orchards, and the scenic Sierra Nevada Mountains. Fresno independent living communities are similar to senior apartments, but they include resort-style amenities and a hassle-free lifestyle. Many options in Fresno are also connected to senior care services, such as assisted living wings and memory care campuses, that provide assistance if your needs change.
The variety of Fresno independent living options means you’ll find the best fit for you. Ranging from cozy studio apartments to cottage homes, local independent living communities have much to offer. This all-inclusive guide highlights seven of our partner communities within a 10-mile radius of north-central Fresno, so you can get the full picture of what’s available. We provide a detailed overview of Fresno independent living costs, payment tips, local senior resources, and how seniors can maximize their retirement in Fresno.
My father lived there for almost 2 years until he passed away. He was blind, couldn't talk due to stroke, and eventually needed a wheelchair. We were under the previous care staff and they took pretty good...
My mom used to live here. The apartments were nice for just a general senior apartment complex. They did have some community activities. They had bingo and crafts and other activities like that so for...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Fresno community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
According to A Place for Mom’s 2022-2023 proprietary data, the average price seniors paid for our in-network Fresno independent living communities was about $3,849 per month.[01] This cost includes room and board in addition to additional service fees and add-on amenities residents chose, like parking spaces and pet rent.
Independent living costs typically vary depending on floor plan, location, and on-site amenities. Along with rent, baseline independent living monthly costs typically include the following amenities and services:
The following services and amenities are also sometimes included in the baseline rent or may be included with add-on fees:
The numbers below show baseline monthly costs that don’t include any add-on fees. These figures can help you compare baseline costs for independent living communities across the greater Fresno area.
We can guide you through your independent living payment options. First, we present an overview of personal payment options, which you could combine with senior benefit assistance. Next, we explain several senior benefits that may offset costs of living or care, including Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, Medi-Cal, Medicare, and Social Security. Our goal is to help you understand which benefits might apply to your circumstances, so you can combine benefits in the most effective way. Each tab also provides links to applications and local contacts for senior benefit assistance in Fresno.
Seniors often use their personal income sources, like pensions, savings accounts, Social Security benefits, and investment returns to cover at least part of their Fresno independent living costs. Depending on your current resources, you may also be able to use some of the following options to fund life at your ideal community:
Approximate number of veterans who live in Fresno
Approximately 44% of veterans in Fresno are 65+.
Independent living costs may be partially covered by certain VA benefits that apply to senior veterans or their surviving spouses. Often, the most generous benefit for seniors who are disabled and enrolled in VA health care is the VA Aid and Attendance benefit. This benefit provides veterans or their surviving spouses with monthly payments that can be combined with a Veterans Pension. This income is designed to cover costs that improve overall quality of life, like rent and services in an independent living community.
Veterans or their surviving spouses may not know they qualify for VA benefits, because VA benefit eligibility requirements are often confusing and misleading.
This is why we recommend contacting a local veterans service organization (VSO) to see if you qualify. You can also check the VA’s list of service-connected disabilities to see what might apply to you. Even if your disability isn’t on that list, it may still qualify since there are many factors involved in your specific claim and military history. This is one of the reasons why the VA benefit application process can be such a challenge and why you should seek advice before applying.
Let a local VA-vetted veterans service organization guide you through the process to make sure you get the most out of your potential VA benefits. The following Fresno resources can help local veterans or surviving spouses begin the process of enrolling in their eligible benefits:
Resources for Fresno veterans
Fresno County Veterans Service Office
1320 E. Shaw Ave., Suite 105
Fresno, CA 93710
Phone: 559-600-5463
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Fresno Vet Center
1320 E. Shaw Ave., Suite 125
Fresno, CA 93710
Phone: 559-487-5660
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): E.G. Henry Gutierrez VFW Post 8900
3585 N. Blythe Ave.
Fresno, CA 93722
Phone: 559-275-4061
Disabled American Veterans (DAV): Homer Blevins Chapter 1
3508 N. First St.
Fresno, CA 93726
Phone: 559-241-6418
Meets at 5:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month
California’s Medicaid program, called Medi-Cal, won’t cover the cost of room and board in Fresno independent living communities. Medically necessary in-home health care, however, may be covered in your independent living community, if you have low-income status. California’s In-Home Support Services program is another option that may be used to cover costs of in-home care if you meet all requirements and are eligible for Medi-Cal.
Covered California can help you access Medi-Cal in addition to low-cost, full coverage health care plans. This is the state’s health care portal that’s beneficial to seniors with low-income status. Covered California and Medi-Cal share an application, which seniors only need to fill out once to find out what benefits they may be eligible for. Once the individual is approved for Medi-Cal, they’ll be offered additional low-cost health insurance plans to cover any gaps in their Medi-Cal coverage. You can also apply for Medi-Cal through the CalWIN portal, but you won’t be offered additional low-cost, full-coverage insurance packages.
Browse the following resources if you would like help with the Medi-Cal application process:
Fresno resident Medi-Cal resources
Medi-Cal Rx Member Helpline
Phone: 800-977-2273
Hours: 24/7, including holidays
Fresno-Madera Agency on Aging
2037 W. Bullard Ave., Suite 512
Fresno, CA 93711
Phone: 559-214-0299
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Valley Caregiver Resource Center: Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
5363 N. Fresno St.
Fresno, CA 93710
Phone: 559-224-9177, ext. 401
Apply through Covered California
2631 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90006
Phone: 800-650-0922
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that may cover medical costs, such as medically necessary in-home care and hospital care. However, it won’t cover the cost of room and board in an independent living community. Read through Medicare’s components below to see what may be covered:[03]
Some seniors save money on their Medicare premiums and prescriptions through Medicare Savings Programs. Seniors enrolled in Medicare that meet low-income requirements may be eligible for these programs. You can apply for Medicare Savings Programs online through BenefitsCal and see which of California’s four Medicare Savings Programs best fit your needs. Each of the different options may cover portions of Medicare Part A, B, D, or a combination of parts.
Browse the following resources to get help with your Medicare application:
Fresno resident Medicare resources
Fresno Office — Social Security Administration
845 Fulton St.
Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: 800-772-1213
Valley Caregiver Resource Center: Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
5363 N. Fresno St.
Fresno, CA 93710
Phone: 559-224-9177, ext. 401
Valley Caregiver Resource Center: Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
5363 N. Fresno St.
Fresno, CA 93710
Phone: 559-224-9117, ext. 304
Fresno-Madera Agency on Aging
2037 W. Bullard Ave., Suite 512
Fresno, CA 93711
Phone: 559-214-0299
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Stand-alone independent living communities are like senior apartments but with more luxurious and all-inclusive amenities and services. And because they’re essentially senior living rentals, not care facilities, they don’t need a senior care license. The exception to this is if an independent living community shares a campus with a senior care facility, such as an assisted living or memory care community.
When a Fresno independent living community shares the same campus as a senior care facility, it needs to have a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) license from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). To keep this license, the senior care facility must follow these regulations:[04]
If you want to learn more about assisted living regulations and the Residential Care Facility for the Elderly license in California, visit the regulations section of our Fresno assisted living page.
Independent living seniors have the right to safe and well-maintained housing, just as they would when renting a house or apartment. The following are some of the standards you can expect while renting from stand-alone independent living communities in California:{{citation: 5,6}}
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), landlords must agree to reasonable accommodations and modifications for persons with disabilities. Independent living community owners must pay for accommodations and structural modifications of common areas, while the resident should pay for structural modifications to their individual unit.[07]
Accommodations include changes to community policies that would otherwise restrict people with disabilities. Some examples of accommodations include the following:
Modifications include changes to the structure of building common areas or individual units. Listed below are some examples of modifications:
The following are some additional protections granted to renters under the ADA:[07]
If your independent living community shares a campus with a senior care community, the campus is subject to special regulations and inspections. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) inspects licensed Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RFCE) annually and within 10 days of receiving a complaint.[05] Keep in mind that these inspections don’t apply to stand-alone independent living facilities, only those with a senior care facility on-site, like in an assisted living wing or unit.
Independent living facilities with a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) license have public inspection reports in the CDSS Care Facility Search. To use this search, scroll down to “Search By Facility Group.” Select “Elderly Assisted Living,” “Facility Type,” and “Fresno County,” and then click on the search button. You can also search by facility name or address.
California Department of Public Health
1616 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
Phone: 916-558-1784
Fresno County follows the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) COVID-19 guidance. There’s no mask mandate at this time, but Fresno County encourages its residents to continue accessing vaccines and tests.
Keep in mind that some Fresno independent living communities may have their own COVID-19 guidelines. We recommend contacting a community you’re interested in to learn about what rules they may have in place.
To learn about COVID-19 guidelines that apply to assisted living wings in shared independent living communities, read the Regulations section of the Fresno assisted living page.
Achieve a curated senior experience in a Fresno independent living community. An abundance of resort-style amenities, intriguing activities, and a maintenance-free lifestyle awaits. You’ll find an option that works for your preferences, whether it’s a cottage-style home in a stand-alone community or a cozy studio apartment with access to senior care services.
Find a floor plan, community layout, and monthly price that works for you. In A Place for Mom’s Fresno network, 71% of the independent living communities share a campus with assisted living, memory care, or both. Combined communities allow seniors to access care without moving when their needs change. The remaining 29% are stand-alone independent living communities reserved for seniors who don’t require care at this time.
Browse the following layout options and features typically available in A Place for Mom’s Fresno network:
Begin your new hassle-free lifestyle by taking advantage of your community’s convenient on-site services. The options below are commonly found in A Place for Mom’s partner communities:
Enjoy the luxurious perks of your new independent living community. You’ll find features both inside the community and throughout its grounds that are sure to make each day feel extra special:
An active mind, body, and social life awaits in the Fresno independent living community of your choice. From volunteering opportunities to group outings, A Place for Mom’s in-network Fresno communities have something for everyone:
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Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Fresno
You can find a medical center that works for you in Fresno, and some are even located conveniently near our partner independent living communities. Browse the following options, from a cardiology specialist to a veteran-specific clinic.
Community Regional Medical Center is a general medical and surgical hospital. It’s also a teaching hospital that ranks highly for adult needs such as heart failure, stroke, and uterine cancer surgery.
Fresno Heart and Surgical Hospital is a heart facility in the Community Regional Medical Center network. They have dozens of private suites for patients and are located across the street from an advanced diagnostic laboratory.
Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center is a general medical and surgical hospital. It ranks highly for adult needs such as heart failure, kidney failure, stroke, and pneumonia.
Fresno Veterans Affairs Medical Center is a general medical and surgical hospital. Veterans have 24-hour access to care, including psychiatric and specialty health care, each day of the week.
Fresno has a few bike-friendly routes and walkable areas, but it’s mostly considered a car-dependent city.[09] If you’d rather not rely on your own vehicle, 100% of A Place for Mom’s in-network Fresno independent living communities provide complimentary transportation services. This service is a safe and convenient way for residents to run errands and participate in community outings.
If you have friends visiting or you wish to go on an adventure, the city of Fresno offers the following senior-friendly public transportation options.
The Fresno Area Express (or FAX) is the local public transportation service. Every bus can accommodate seniors and people with physical disabilities, and you’ll find routes throughout the city. There’s also a paratransit service, called Handy Ride, that can help you if you need more assistance than FAX provides. The following FAX features can be found on all buses to help you and your visitors get around Fresno:
Lyft and Uber are the shared-ride services typically readily available in Fresno. Both are great options for seniors and visitors who want to get around without depending on their own cars. Local Uber services are especially common in the area, and some Uber options allow you to schedule rides ahead of time.
If you opt to use a taxi service instead, you can apply for the local Senior Scrip Program through the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (EOC). This program is exclusively for seniors who are at least 70 years of age, and it provides a 75% discount on rides. These are the current Fresno taxi services that participate in the Senior Scrip Program:
Below are Walk Score’s transit rankings for Fresno. These numbers paint a picture of the local environment and how accessible your preferred transportation methods are. Walk Score ranks cities from zero to 100 based on how easy it is to use and access each transportation method. Higher scores point to a particularly accessible Fresno transportation option.[09]
Nested in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, Fresno is only a 40-minute drive to spellbinding Yosemite and the stunning Sierra National Forest. It’s also just a 3-hour drive away from cities like Santa Cruz and Los Angeles. Fresno is at the heart of an expansive Californian playground.
Curate your ideal Fresno retirement with the local highlights below, and see why Fresno has more than enough for seniors to claim it as their home. You can also peruse the helpful Fresno County Visitors Guide for more locally favored attractions.
From golf courses to botanical gardens, you and your visitors have many peaceful outdoor opportunities in Fresno:
Local casinos, sporting events, and live performances can be found throughout the city:
Connect with other seniors and immerse yourself in the diversity of Fresno at these popular locations:
Explore Fresno’s iconic attractions with your visitors, including the local zoo and Old Town:
Truewood by Merrill, Clovis, The Villages at Willow and Cogir of Cedar Creek are the top-rated Independent Living facilities near Fresno, CA. These Independent Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Independent Living in Fresno is $3,385 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Fresno city profile. American Community Survey.
U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. What’s Medicare? Medicare.gov.
State of California Health and Human Services Agency. Department of Social Services. (2008). Manual of Policies and Procedures Community Care Licensing Division: Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE), Title 22, Division 6, Chapter 8.
Intergenerational Housing for Senior Citizens, California Civil Code § 51.3.5 (1988 & rev. 2017).
California Department of Justice. (2003, November). Legal rights of persons with disabilities, 4th edition.
ADA Solutions. (2022). California ADA requirements. SureWerx.
U.S. World and News Report. (2023). Best hospitals in Fresno, California.
Walk Score. (2023). Living in Fresno.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Fresno city profile. American Community Survey.
U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. What’s Medicare? Medicare.gov.
State of California Health and Human Services Agency. Department of Social Services. (2008). Manual of Policies and Procedures Community Care Licensing Division: Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE), Title 22, Division 6, Chapter 8.
Intergenerational Housing for Senior Citizens, California Civil Code § 51.3.5 (1988 & rev. 2017).
California Department of Justice. (2003, November). Legal rights of persons with disabilities, 4th edition.
ADA Solutions. (2022). California ADA requirements. SureWerx.
U.S. World and News Report. (2023). Best hospitals in Fresno, California.
Walk Score. (2023). Living in Fresno.