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 Boston, MA

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The cost of independent living in Boston is about $6,881 per month. To find the best independent living for your preferences and budget, browse these 97 options. Read 1063 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 Cambridge, Newton and Brookline.

Boston Independent Living Facilities | 1063 Reviews

Showing 89 communities
Last Updated: 12/5/25
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Waterstone at Wellesley is a terrific community. We enjoy living here as well as the residents. A very warm, welcoming community! We recommend highly!
Provides: Assisted Living, 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.
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.
Located along the banks of the Charles River, Waterstone at Wellesley is a premier senior living community offering both independent living and assisted living. Here, a world of luxury, attentive service and convenience come together to support and inspire a rewarding, carefree life.Residents of...
Photo of The Diane and Mark Goldman Family Residences
44 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.
Photo of Hale House
22 Photos available
Provides: Assisted Living, 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.
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 The Marilyn and Andre Danesh Family Residences
44 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.
Photo of Center Communities of Brookline
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 The Newbury of Brookline
66 Photos available
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.
The Newbury of Brookline is located on nearly four acres in Fisher Hill. Our community combines comfortable elegance with the unparalleled details that define Kisco Signature living. Our exemplary service and upscale amenities help us fulfill our mission of making a difference every day in the...
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Photo of The Foley Senior Residences
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LIVED THERE FOR 1 YEAR IN INDEPENDENT LIVING
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.
Providing exceptional, quality housing and services while preserving the independence, rights and dignity of our residents in the most professional, respectful and caring manner. The Foley Senior Residences is an affordable independent and assisted living community that opened in the spring of...
Photo of John F. Kennedy Apartments
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: 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 Cambridge Court Apartments
1717 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.
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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.
Photo of Waterstone at the Circle
33 Floor plans available
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Our loved one is no longer there so we do not have much more to stay, but based on the experience we had the staff members were very friendly and helpful. The maintenance team were extremely helpful as well....
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.
Waterstone at the Circle is a premier living community – designed exclusively for active seniors 62 and over – located at the former site of the Circle Cinema in Boston. Waterstone at the Circle features gorgeous private apartments with views of the Boston skyline, Chestnut Hill Reservoir or...
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: 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 Vineyard Community Living - Boston
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 Apartments at Coolidge School
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 The Estates on Admiral's Hill
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.
The Chelsea Jewish Foundation is an assisted living community located in the quiet area of Chelsea, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Located just across the bridge from Boston, the Chelsea area has always been an independent, working-class industrial community from the beginning of its existence....
Photo of Everett Villa
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 Vineyard Community Living - Nova Quincy
1313 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.
At Vineyard Community Living, older people enjoy friendships, old and new. We don’t replace existing family and friends, but surround our residents with a larger sense community and offer respectful, quality services.We know it’s the little things in life that can make a big difference; like...
Photo of Bauer House
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 Assisted Living Residences at Hancock Park
66 Photos available
Pricing promotion
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.
Assisted Living Residences at Hancock Park is a senior living community that supports a resident's independence, while providing medical care or nursing support when necesssary. Our 42-apartment assisted living community is in the heart of historic Quincy near shopping, dining, and entertainment....
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Photo of Allerton House at Hancock Park
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.
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 Robinson Cuticura
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 One Wingate Way East
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 Boston, MA

The average cost of senior living in Boston is $6,881 per month. Cheaper nearby regions include Millis-Clicquot, MA with an average of $6,561 per month.

Independent living costs in Boston, MA, vs. nearby cities

Boston, MA
$6,881/mo
$6,740/mo

Independent living costs in Boston, MA, vs. state and national averages

Boston, MA
$6,881/mo
U.S. national average
$4,203/mo

Independent living costs in Boston, MA, vs. other senior living options

$7,619/mo
Independent Living
$6,881/mo

Independent living costs in Boston, MA, by floor plan type

Semi-Private
$7,126/mo
Studio
$7,676/mo
1 Bedroom
$8,431/mo
2 Bedroom
$10,212/mo

Senior living costs in Boston 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: Boston, MA
Column state: Massachusetts
Column national: U.S.
Community typeBoston, MAMassachusettsU.S.
Independent Living$6,881/mo$6,353/mo$4,203/mo
Assisted Living$7,618/mo$7,238/mo$4,740/mo
Memory Care$7,619/mo$7,244/mo$5,004/mo
Independent Living
Boston, MA:$6,881/mo
Massachusetts:$6,353/mo
U.S.:$4,203/mo
Assisted Living
Boston, MA:$7,618/mo
Massachusetts:$7,238/mo
U.S.:$4,740/mo
Memory Care
Boston, MA:$7,619/mo
Massachusetts:$7,244/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 Boston, MA, over time

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

Boston, MAMA stateNational

Independent living cost trends in Boston, MA

The table below shows how monthly independent living costs in Boston 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
Boston, MA$4,365/mo$3,791/mo+15.1%
Massachusetts$4,102/mo$3,718/mo+10.3%
National$3,246/mo$3,151/mo+3.0%
Boston, MA
2024 average cost:$4,365/mo
2023 average cost:$3,791/mo
Percent change:+15.1%
Massachusetts
2024 average cost:$4,102/mo
2023 average cost:$3,718/mo
Percent change:+10.3%
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 Boston

Recent reviews for independent living in Boston

Brigham House in Watertown, MA

5.0
Watertown is our home town, [name removed] is able to go shopping and take a walk in familiar surroundings. Biggest plus is when her money runs out, they will keep her and she gets a small amount of her social security.

Fairing Way in South Weymouth, MA

3.9
It's a good environment for our age group and the amenities and activities are sufficient enough to keep us engaged and comfortable. We picked this community, because of the location and cost.

Cadbury Commons in Cambridge, MA

3.8
Our experience with this community was good, overall it is kept pretty clean. The care services are pretty reliable, the activities were however a little bit weaker. The food at this community was very good, and we really liked the responsiveness of the staff and the availability the memory care ...
Read more

Boston independent living services and amenities

These charts highlight some of the many care, dining, and entertainment offerings available in Boston independent living communities. They don’t represent all possible services and amenities available at assisted living communities in Boston, 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 Boston 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 Boston partners making specific dietary accommodations for seniors compared to the percentage of assisted living partners making those accommodations nationally.
Boston, MANational
Nutritionist / dietician
Nutritionist / dietician
42.5%
20.5%
Low / no sodium
Low / no sodium
56.3%
34.4%
No sugar
No sugar
52.9%
30.9%
Vegetarian
Vegetarian
44.8%
33.6%
Pureed meals
Pureed meals
10.3%
10.5%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Availability of select dining options in Boston 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 Boston communities that offer dining options to their discerning residents compared to our partners nationally.
Boston, MANational
Professional chef
Professional chef
52.9%
36.5%
Restaurant style dining
Restaurant style dining
55.2%
43.5%
Room service
Room service
41.4%
37%
Anytime dining
Anytime dining
23%
17.2%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Availability of select programs and activities in Boston 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 Boston offer the selected activities, amenities, and programs compared to the percentage of partners nationwide.
Boston, MANational
Activity director
Activity director
59.8%
45.1%
Pet-focused programs
Pet-focused programs
40.2%
28.3%
Community service programs
Community service programs
40.2%
33%
Devotional activities on-site
Devotional activities on-site
50.6%
47.5%
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
62.1%
48.9%
Outings / off-site activities
Outings / off-site activities
60.9%
54%
Piano or organ
Piano or organ
52.9%
42.9%
Arts and crafts center
Arts and crafts center
37.9%
38.1%
Educational speakers / life long learning
Educational speakers / life long learning
59.8%
41.8%
Clubs / games / karaoke
Clubs / games / karaoke
57.5%
47.1%
Live performances
Live performances
62.1%
46.8%
Dances
Dances
20.7%
33%
Fitness center
Fitness center
39.1%
39.5%
Fitness classes
Fitness classes
60.9%
46.4%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Related senior services in Boston, Massachusetts

In Boston, Massachusetts, seniors have access to local offices and organizations that may help them obtain financial assistance for senior care, including:

Boston is not car dependent, meaning seniors can expect to rely on public transportation. Transit options in Boston include a number of bus, commuter rail, subway, and ferry options managed by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Seniors may receive fare discounts. Boston has robust biking infrastructure and is walkable.

Boston offers several health care providers for seniors wanting to be proactive about their health or for seniors seeking treatment for chronic conditions. The area has several hospitals, including Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Medical.

With one of the largest reputations in the county, the city of Boston boasts a wide set of attractions and a vibrant local culture. Some renowned and senior-friendly attractions throughout Boston include the Museum of Fine Arts, the New England Aquarium, and the historic Paul Revere House. The city is also home to a number of senior centers that host wide-ranging activities to fit a variety of interests.

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