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 2026 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 2026 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 2026 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 Marion County, IA

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The cost of independent living in Marion County is about $3,336 per month. To find the best independent living for your preferences and budget, browse these 184 options. Read 1436 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 Pella, Oskaloosa and Indianola.

Marion County Independent Living Facilities | 1436 Reviews

Showing 140 communities
Last Updated: 3/4/26
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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, and memory 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 East Town Apartments
33 Photos available
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Quiet Retirement Community for residents 55 and older.One and two bedroom spacious apartments. Safe, Fenced, well lite property. All Units come with Garage & Storage unit with all utilities included except electricity!
Photo of Suncrest Village
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
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 Park View Senior Village
99 Photos available
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Park View Senior Apartments are senior housing for those who are 62+ and/or disabled of any age. Located in Indianola, IA where small town meets city just miles South of Des Moines. Our community offers garden style entrances with carpeted studio and one bedroom apartments with fully furnished...
Photo of McCord Manor
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Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
If you are looking for a senior apartment for yourself or an elderly loved one, look no further. McCord Manor is sure to meet the needs of all seniors who are looking for a bit of assistance, if any, while still maintaining their independence. They have many amenities to help ensure that all...
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Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Independent 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.
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.
We credit our success to our dedicated and caring staff.  We serve our Seniors with compassion and love and accomplish this by working as one team with Seniors in mind.  Newton Village offers dining excellence.  The daily home cooked meals are served family style and include...
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My husband and I have lived here for over three and a half years. We have a very clean and comfortable surroundings. The staff goes above and beyond to make sure The Village stay safe and clean.
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Classic 55+ of Altoona CP
1919 Photos available
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.
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Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Designed for persons: 62+ An affordable apartment community located on a quiet cul-de-sac in Des Moines. Each apartment home features generous closet space, great views, plus all utilities and air conditioning are included. Southridge Village is within blocks of shopping, a regional mall and a...
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Virginia Park Apartments is a lovely, contemporary two-story building surrounded by a spacious, open lawn, which boasts mature trees and colorful flower gardens. This community is located just minutes from downtown Des Moines. Within walking distance is a grocery store and convenience store. The...
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My mom has been thrilled with the staff and all of the social activities! She's made many new friends and enjoys her time there.
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Designed for persons: 62+ Southridge Village II, located on a quiet cul-de-sac, is convenient to grocery shopping, and within blocks of a regional mall and a local pharmacy. Enjoy your independence in a great apartment home that includes utilities, plus air conditioning, generous closet space and...
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Cummins Village is nestled away from the hectic mainstream on a quiet cul-de-sac, yet just minutes away from all your needs. We offer spacious one-bedroom apartments designed for comfortably accommodating those who are 55+. Income restrictions do apply.Apartments are approximately 562 sq.ft.,...
Photo of Fort Des Moines Senior Housing
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Hickory Grove 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 Southview SR
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So far I'm completely pleased with everything here, I'd give them top marks across the board. It's a nice looking place, they keep it very clean, and the staff all seem friendly. It's a good environment, and...
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Candleridge 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: 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 East View Manor
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.
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Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Shelly Rose Estates is a high-quality senior housing community located in the Midwestern city of Des Moines, Polk County, Ohio. Des Moines offers many opportunities to experience cultural activities and events, such as attending the Des Moines Symphony and visiting the many local art galleries...
Photo of South View Manor
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 Prime Towers Apartments and Nursing Home
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Provides: Independent Living, Senior Apartments
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.
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Located in the heart of the East Village, Prime Nursing and Rehabilitation is a 44-bed skilled facility with views of the Des Moines skyline, capital and our private courtyard. We offer private and semi-private rooms with each room averaging 200 square feet. We have nursing staff onsite 24/7...
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 Elsie Mason Manor
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Elsie Mason Manor is a senior housing community that is located in the city of Des Moines Iowa. Our community is located in Polk County, which is an urban county. That is a beautiful city that is ideal for a getaway for the family and friends of the residents in our community. There are many...
Photo of Ligutti Tower
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Ligutti TowerLigutti Tower is located in Des Moines, the capital city of the state of Iowa. The most populous city of the state, it is also the county seat of Polk County. You will find Ligutti Tower in the heart of downtown, close to fantastic dining, theaters, shopping, transportation and more....
Photo of Luther Park/Rose Glen 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.

Cost of independent living in Marion County, IA

The average cost of senior living in Marion County is $3,336 per month. Cheaper nearby regions include Milo, IA with an average of $2,502 per month.

Independent living costs in Marion County, IA, vs. nearby counties

Marion County, IA
$3,336/mo
$3,303/mo
$4,287/mo

Independent living costs in Marion County, IA, vs. state and national averages

Marion County, IA
$3,336/mo
$3,296/mo
U.S. national average
$4,212/mo

Independent living costs in Marion County, IA, vs. other senior living options

$4,873/mo
Independent Living
$3,336/mo

Independent living costs in Marion County, IA, by floor plan type

Studio
$2,467/mo
1 Bedroom
$2,751/mo
2 Bedroom
$3,521/mo
Detached Cottage/Bungalow
$3,369/mo

Senior living costs in Marion County 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: Marion County, IA
Column state: Iowa
Column national: U.S.
Community typeMarion County, IAIowaU.S.
Independent Living$3,336/mo$3,296/mo$4,212/mo
Assisted Living$4,846/mo$4,517/mo$4,753/mo
Memory Care$4,873/mo$4,522/mo$5,014/mo
Independent Living
Marion County, IA:$3,336/mo
Iowa:$3,296/mo
U.S.:$4,212/mo
Assisted Living
Marion County, IA:$4,846/mo
Iowa:$4,517/mo
U.S.:$4,753/mo
Memory Care
Marion County, IA:$4,873/mo
Iowa:$4,522/mo
U.S.:$5,014/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 Marion County, IA, over time

The line graph below shows how monthly independent living costs have shifted over the past five years in Marion County 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.

Marion County, IAIA stateNational

Independent living cost trends in Marion County, IA

The table below shows how monthly independent living costs in Marion County 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
Marion County, IA$2,311/mo$2,553/mo-9.5%
Iowa$2,639/mo$2,631/mo+0.3%
National$3,259/mo$3,168/mo+2.9%
Marion County, IA
2024 average cost:$2,311/mo
2023 average cost:$2,553/mo
Percent change:-9.5%
Iowa
2024 average cost:$2,639/mo
2023 average cost:$2,631/mo
Percent change:+0.3%
National
2024 average cost:$3,259/mo
2023 average cost:$3,168/mo
Percent change:+2.9%
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 Marion County

Recent reviews for independent living in Marion County

Elite Lodge of Ashworth in West Des Moines, IA

4.5
The Lodge is a friendly atmosphere all the units are different You design what you want nice wooded setting Does not have apartment feeling more homelike would definitely recommend the Lodge

Bishop Drumm Retirement Center in Johnston, IA

5.0
My dad is doing really good after picking this community from the list we got from A Place For Mom. He is enjoying the meals they make. He has tried some activities and he knows some people who live here. The staff has been great. I cant tell he is happy and when he calls he tells me good ...
Read more

Thomas Place at Waukee

5.0
A Place for Mom was very empathetic and determined to find a solution for my Mom. They were extremely helpful throughout the entire process. Thank you so much!

Marion County independent living services and amenities

These charts highlight some of the many care, dining, and entertainment offerings available in Marion County independent living communities. They don’t represent all possible services and amenities available at assisted living communities in Marion County, 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 Marion County 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 Marion County partners making specific dietary accommodations for seniors compared to the percentage of assisted living partners making those accommodations nationally.
Marion County, IANational
Nutritionist / dietician
Nutritionist / dietician
15.7%
20.6%
Low / no sodium
Low / no sodium
17.9%
34.8%
No sugar
No sugar
17.1%
31.2%
Vegetarian
Vegetarian
18.6%
33.9%
Pureed meals
Pureed meals
4.3%
10.8%
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Availability of select dining options in Marion County 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 Marion County communities that offer dining options to their discerning residents compared to our partners nationally.
Marion County, IANational
Professional chef
Professional chef
20%
36.9%
Restaurant style dining
Restaurant style dining
26.4%
43.8%
Room service
Room service
26.4%
37.3%
Anytime dining
Anytime dining
16.4%
17.3%
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Availability of select programs and activities in Marion County 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 Marion County offer the selected activities, amenities, and programs compared to the percentage of partners nationwide.
Marion County, IANational
Activity director
Activity director
31.4%
45.6%
Pet-focused programs
Pet-focused programs
16.4%
28.5%
Community service programs
Community service programs
20.7%
33.4%
Devotional activities on-site
Devotional activities on-site
37.1%
47.8%
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
36.4%
49.2%
Outings / off-site activities
Outings / off-site activities
42.1%
54.3%
Piano or organ
Piano or organ
31.4%
43.4%
Arts and crafts center
Arts and crafts center
25%
38.6%
Educational speakers / life long learning
Educational speakers / life long learning
27.9%
42.2%
Clubs / games / karaoke
Clubs / games / karaoke
35%
47.5%
Live performances
Live performances
32.9%
47.2%
Dances
Dances
22.1%
33.3%
Fitness center
Fitness center
30.7%
39.8%
Fitness classes
Fitness classes
31.4%
46.8%
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Frequently Asked Questions

Independence Village of Pella, Homestead of Knoxville Assisted Living and Attivo Trail Waukee are the top-rated independent living facilities near Marion County, Iowa. See full list of communities.
There are 184 independent living facilities near Marion County, Iowa. See the full list.
The best independent living facilities near you in Marion County, Iowa are Independence Village of Pella and CopperWood Senior Living at Prairie Trail. These independent living communities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews.
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