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The cost of independent living in Santa Cruz is about $3,777 per month. To find the best independent living for your preferences and budget, browse these 229 options.

Read 3141 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. You may also consider nearby communities such as San Jose, Watsonville and Los Gatos.

Santa Cruz Independent Living Facilities | 3141 Reviews

Cost of independent living in Santa Cruz, CA

The average cost of senior living in Santa Cruz is $3,777 per month. Cheaper nearby regions include Pleasure Point, CA with an average of $3,777 per month.

Independent living costs in Santa Cruz, CA, vs. state and national averages

Santa Cruz, CA

$3,777/mo

California state

$4,174/mo

U.S. national average

$3,520/mo

Independent living costs in Santa Cruz, CA, vs. other senior living options

Assisted Living

$6,221/mo

Memory Care

$6,964/mo

Independent Living

$3,777/mo

Independent living costs in Santa Cruz, CA, by floor plan type

Studio

$3,812/mo

1 Bedroom

$4,547/mo

2 Bedroom

$5,966/mo

Senior living costs in Santa Cruz 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: Santa Cruz, CA

Column state: California

Column national: U.S.

Community type	Santa Cruz, CA	California	U.S.
Independent Living	$3,777/mo	$4,174/mo	$3,520/mo
Assisted Living	$6,221/mo	$6,206/mo	$5,830/mo
Memory Care	$6,964/mo	$7,329/mo	$6,999/mo

Independent Living

Santa Cruz, CA:$3,777/mo

California:$4,174/mo

U.S.:$3,520/mo

Assisted Living

Santa Cruz, CA:$6,221/mo

California:$6,206/mo

U.S.:$5,830/mo

Memory Care

Santa Cruz, CA:$6,964/mo

California:$7,329/mo

U.S.:$6,999/mo

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.

Your Guide to Paying for Care

Plan for and know your options for how to cover long-term care expenses.

Your Guide to VA Benefits

The VA provides two veterans benefits that can be used to offset the costs of long-term care.

Medicare and Medicaid

Understand the difference between these two public pay options, and what they cover.

What families are saying about independent living in Santa Cruz

Recent reviews for independent living in Santa Cruz

The Parkview in Pleasanton, CA

5.0

The food the staff and the activities are all great my mom is very happy here. I would recommend this community to others.

Whispering Pines Inn, LLC in Hollister, CA

5.0

Whispering Pines Inn has devotedly served the San Benito County for over 26 years. The management & staffs are caring & very responsive to their elderly residents. Being a caregiver is not an easy task. You have to have the heary & compassion which I have seen with the employees as well ad ...

Westmont of Morgan Hill

4.5

In August, we will have been in residence at Westmont for nine years. The Facility Director, was first to greet us, and he made us feel very welcome. We were initially attracted by the beauty of the facility and its location in Morgan Hill Since then, we have become even more fond of the ...

Santa Cruz independent living services and amenities

These charts highlight some of the many care, dining, and entertainment offerings available in Santa Cruz independent living communities. They don’t represent all possible services and amenities available at assisted living communities in Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz partners making specific dietary accommodations for seniors compared to the percentage of assisted living partners making those accommodations nationally.

Santa Cruz, CANational

Nutritionist / dietician

15.7%

21.2%

Low / no sodium

31.9%

35.7%

No sugar

29.3%

32%

Vegetarian

35.8%

34.8%

Pureed meals

17%

11.7%

0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Availability of select dining options in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz communities that offer dining options to their discerning residents compared to our partners nationally.

Santa Cruz, CANational

Professional chef

28.8%

37.6%

Restaurant style dining

32.8%

44.8%

Room service

29.3%

38.2%

Anytime dining

17.9%

17.8%

0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Availability of select programs and activities in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz offer the selected activities, amenities, and programs compared to the percentage of partners nationwide.

Santa Cruz, CANational

Activity director

35.4%

46.5%

Pet-focused programs

23.1%

29.3%

Community service programs

19.7%

34.2%

Devotional activities on-site

33.2%

48.3%

Parties / BBQs / happy hour

36.2%

50.1%

Outings / off-site activities

38.9%

54.9%

Piano or organ

29.3%

44.2%

Arts and crafts center

28.8%

39.7%

Educational speakers / life long learning

30.1%

43%

Clubs / games / karaoke

33.6%

48.3%

Live performances

34.9%

48.1%

Dances

21%

34.3%

Fitness center

24.5%

40.8%

Fitness classes

34.9%

47.6%

0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

More questions?

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10 Best Independent Living Communities in Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz Independent Living Facilities | 3141 Reviews

Our free advisors can help

Cost of independent living in Santa Cruz, CA

Independent living costs in Santa Cruz, CA, vs. state and national averages

Independent living costs in Santa Cruz, CA, vs. other senior living options

Independent living costs in Santa Cruz, CA, by floor plan type

Senior living costs in Santa Cruz vs. state and national costs

Discover the many ways to pay for senior living

What families are saying about independent living in Santa Cruz

Recent reviews for independent living in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz independent living services and amenities

Availability of select dietary accommodations in Santa Cruz independent living

Availability of select dining options in Santa Cruz independent living

Availability of select programs and activities in Santa Cruz independent living

More questions?