About Assisted LivingAssisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.Complete guide to assisted livingBest of 2025 Assisted Living Winners
About Memory CareMemory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering. Complete guide to memory careBest of 2025 Memory Care Winners
About Independent LivingIndependent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.Complete guide to independent livingBest of 2025 Independent Living Winners
About Senior LivingSenior living is a term used to describe various housing and care options for older adults from maintenance-free, 55+ facilities for active seniors, to secure, fully staffed facilities for seniors with Alzheimer's or dementia. Complete guide to senior livingFind senior living facilities near you
About Nursing HomesNursing homes provide short-and long-term care for seniors who have physical or mental health conditions that require 24-hour nursing and personal care.Complete guide to Nursing Homes
About Senior ApartmentsSenior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.Complete guide to Senior Apartments
About Care HomesResidential care homes are shared neighborhood homes for seniors who need a live-in caregiver to assist with activities of daily living, like dressing and bathing.Complete guide to care homes
Veteran ResourcesVA benefits for long-term care, such as Aid and Attendance benefits, can help eligible veterans and their surviving spouses pay for senior care.Guide to VA benefits for long-term care
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10 Best Independent Living Communities in Palo Alto, CA

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The cost of independent living in Palo Alto is about $5,779 per month. To find the best independent living for your preferences and budget, browse these 55 options. Read 480 reviews, see photos, and learn about amenities that make independent living the ideal next step for adults 55+ who wish to enjoy friendships and hobbies without the hassle of cooking and home maintenance.

As you explore independent living near you, you may also want to consider options in areas like You may also consider nearby communities such as San Jose, Pleasanton and San Carlos.

Palo Alto Independent Living Facilities | 480 Reviews

Showing 46 communities
Last Updated: 12/4/25
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Best of Senior Living

The highest-rated senior living communities stand out for their exceptional care and support of seniors in independent living, assisted living, memory care and home care. Our Best of Senior Living Award winners represent the top reviewed senior care providers nationwide based on reviews submitted by residents and families.

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Photo of Webster House
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Webster House is a continuing care retirement community located close to the Stanford University campus and a short walk from downtown Palo Alto.Sunrise Independent Living is for seniors who want to maintain their rich and rewarding life without the responsibilities of running a household....
Photo of Sahara Mobile Village
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Crane PLACE-HUD-SENIORS
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Peninsula Senior Living Magnolia
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Runnymede Gardens Apartments
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Sunnyside Gardens
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Independent Living, Nursing Homes
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Nursing Homes: Nursing homes provide short-and long-term care for seniors who have physical or mental health conditions that require 24-hour nursing and personal care.
Photo of Plaza De Las Flores
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Gordon Manor
5 star
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4 star
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I liked that this was close to me. I liked that it was a mixed facility with assisted living and memory care combined together. My mother can do activities with higher functioning people. It also had a...
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
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Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Morse Court Apartments
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Homestead Park Apartments
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Redwood Court Apartments
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Miramar Plaza Apartments
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Hopkins Manor
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
See details
Photo of Abigail Complete Care, Inc.
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
Photo of Villa Garcia Apartments
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of MorningStar at West San Jose
77 Photos available
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
MorningStar at West San Jose is dedicated to making your retirement years carefree through a lifestyle of comfort, enjoyment and wellness. Our four-story community in beautiful west San Jose offers 69 assisted living suites (studio, one and two-bedroom) and 34 suites devoted to the individualized...
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Photo of San Carlos Elms
5 star
0%
4 star
0%
3 star
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2 star
0%
1 star
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This is an excellent facility established by local residents for independent and assisted living and memory care. It's located within easy, safe walking distance of a friendly downtown area, providing a...
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
San Carlos Elms is a comfortable home setting with the security and benefits of supportive services to each resident. The Elms is conveniently located within easy walking distance of beautiful downtown San Carlos churches, Senior Center and City Library. Fire and Police Departments are within...

Cost of independent living in Palo Alto, CA

The average cost of senior living in Palo Alto is $5,779 per month. Cheaper nearby regions include San Carlos, CA with an average of $5,724 per month.

Independent living costs in Palo Alto, CA, vs. nearby cities

Palo Alto, CA
$5,779/mo
$5,814/mo

Independent living costs in Palo Alto, CA, vs. state and national averages

Palo Alto, CA
$5,779/mo
U.S. national average
$4,203/mo

Independent living costs in Palo Alto, CA, vs. other senior living options

$6,552/mo
Independent Living
$5,779/mo

Independent living costs in Palo Alto, CA, by floor plan type

Semi-Private
$7,335/mo
Studio
$7,214/mo
1 Bedroom
$9,139/mo
2 Bedroom
$9,997/mo

Senior living costs in Palo Alto vs. state and national costs

Cost comparison table showing community type costs by location. This table contains 3 rows of data across 4 columns.
Column communityType: Community type
Column destination: Palo Alto, CA
Column state: California
Column national: U.S.
Community typePalo Alto, CACaliforniaU.S.
Independent Living$5,779/mo$4,697/mo$4,203/mo
Assisted Living$5,032/mo$4,503/mo$4,740/mo
Memory Care$6,552/mo$5,458/mo$5,004/mo
Independent Living
Palo Alto, CA:$5,779/mo
California:$4,697/mo
U.S.:$4,203/mo
Assisted Living
Palo Alto, CA:$5,032/mo
California:$4,503/mo
U.S.:$4,740/mo
Memory Care
Palo Alto, CA:$6,552/mo
California:$5,458/mo
U.S.:$5,004/mo
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.

Independent living costs in Palo Alto, CA, over time

The line graph below shows how monthly independent living costs have shifted over the past five years in Palo Alto and how those changes compare with state and national trends. The figures represent quarterly averages of what seniors actually paid after moving into A Place for Mom partner communities.

Palo Alto, CACA stateNational

Independent living cost trends in Palo Alto, CA

The table below shows how monthly independent living costs in Palo Alto have changed in the last two years and how those changes compare with state and national trends. The figures represent averages of actual costs paid by seniors who moved into A Place for Mom partner communities in 2023 and 2024.

Cost comparison table showing 2023 and 2024 median costs by location. This table contains 3 rows of data across 4 columns.
Column location: Location
Column cost2024: 2024 average cost
Column cost2023: 2023 average cost
Column percentChange: Percent change
Location2024 average cost2023 average costPercent change
Palo Alto, CA$4,331/mo$4,431/mo-2.3%
California$3,692/mo$3,585/mo+3.0%
National$3,246/mo$3,151/mo+3.0%
Palo Alto, CA
2024 average cost:$4,331/mo
2023 average cost:$4,431/mo
Percent change:-2.3%
California
2024 average cost:$3,692/mo
2023 average cost:$3,585/mo
Percent change:+3.0%
National
2024 average cost:$3,246/mo
2023 average cost:$3,151/mo
Percent change:+3.0%
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.

Discover the many ways to pay for senior living

Planning ahead can better position you to make good choices for your loved one’s care in the future. But if your aging family member needs care now, there are ways to finance the cost of long-term care through a combination of approaches.

What families are saying about independent living in Palo Alto

Recent reviews for independent living in Palo Alto

Golden Heritage Living in San Jose, CA

5.0
This place is an excellent facility that specializes in the care of Chinese speaking people. It is well maintained and the staff is always ready to help. My mom lived there until she passed .

Rosemont Gardens in San Leandro, CA

5.0
Excellent caring staff. Clean place. My Auntie [name removed] is here. I visited from Anaheim California. My auntie Husband just passed away. My auntie looked beautiful and happy. I talked with staff and they were very professional

Serra Highlands Senior Living in Daly City, CA

4.0
the community overall. The employees are helpful and the residents are very welcoming. I am very happy to live here and wouldn't change a thing.

Palo Alto independent living services and amenities

These charts highlight some of the many care, dining, and entertainment offerings available in Palo Alto independent living communities. They don’t represent all possible services and amenities available at assisted living communities in Palo Alto, but support comparisons against nationwide offerings. Our Senior Living Advisors can help you find communities that fit your preferences.

Availability of select dietary accommodations in Palo Alto independent living

Independent living communities help seniors maintain a balanced diet by accommodating their health needs, allergies, and other restrictions. Below you’ll find the percentage of Palo Alto partners making specific dietary accommodations for seniors compared to the percentage of assisted living partners making those accommodations nationally.
Palo Alto, CANational
Nutritionist / dietician
Nutritionist / dietician
17.8%
20.5%
Low / no sodium
Low / no sodium
28.9%
34.4%
No sugar
No sugar
26.7%
30.9%
Vegetarian
Vegetarian
33.3%
33.6%
Pureed meals
Pureed meals
20%
10.5%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Availability of select dining options in Palo Alto independent living

Our independent living communities know that seniors want top-quality meals and options for how they dine. The chart below indicates the percentage of Palo Alto communities that offer dining options to their discerning residents compared to our partners nationally.
Palo Alto, CANational
Professional chef
Professional chef
24.4%
36.5%
Restaurant style dining
Restaurant style dining
28.9%
43.5%
Room service
Room service
24.4%
37%
Anytime dining
Anytime dining
15.6%
17.2%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Availability of select programs and activities in Palo Alto independent living

Senior living communities offer a variety of programming to keep seniors socially, mentally, and physically vibrant. The chart below shows what percentage of partnered independent living communities in Palo Alto offer the selected activities, amenities, and programs compared to the percentage of partners nationwide.
Palo Alto, CANational
Activity director
Activity director
31.1%
45.1%
Pet-focused programs
Pet-focused programs
22.2%
28.3%
Community service programs
Community service programs
15.6%
33%
Devotional activities on-site
Devotional activities on-site
33.3%
47.5%
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
31.1%
48.9%
Outings / off-site activities
Outings / off-site activities
37.8%
54%
Piano or organ
Piano or organ
24.4%
42.9%
Arts and crafts center
Arts and crafts center
26.7%
38.1%
Educational speakers / life long learning
Educational speakers / life long learning
28.9%
41.8%
Clubs / games / karaoke
Clubs / games / karaoke
31.1%
47.1%
Live performances
Live performances
31.1%
46.8%
Dances
Dances
15.6%
33%
Fitness center
Fitness center
22.2%
39.5%
Fitness classes
Fitness classes
31.1%
46.4%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%
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