The cost of senior living in Gastonia, NC, averages out to $4,010 for assisted living; independent living will cost less, and memory care will cost more. The actual cost will depend on your care level and the amenities.
The National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC) states that the first quarter of 2025 set a record for the number of occupied senior housing units, and occupancy rates are on the rise. What this means is that it's never too late to research retirement housing in Gastonia, NC, especially if you're approaching retirement age or are already retired and are considering a lifestyle change.
Knowing what the costs are ahead of time can save you a big headache later on, especially if your savings are tight. Read on to find out more about senior living costs so you can prepare for the future.
The first part of family planning for seniors is knowing the cost of living in the city you'll be in. According to Payscale, the cost of living in Gastonia, NC, is 9% lower than the national average.
While utilities and groceries are 2% and 1% higher than the national average, housing is 38% lower, making rent extremely affordable in this city. Payscale says that the median rent is $974.27 per month.
How much you pay for senior lifestyle services depends on several factors, such as the type of care you get and which city you're in.
IN a report by USA Today Money, North Carolina doesn't appear on the top lists for most affordable and least affordable states for senior care, so this puts the state in the middle somewhere. Now, let's narrow things down further.
The assisted living affordability in Gastonia is good, as World Population Review says that the annual cost is $48,120. This works out to $4,010 per month.
Typically, memory care expenses will be significantly more than assisted living ones. This is because staff members need significantly more training to help memory care residents thrive, and more resources go into helping these seniors, too.
It's common for communities to charge other fees besides monthly rent. For example, there may be:
There are add-ons too. For example, you can add certain therapies or get phone service, cable, or internet in communities where these aren't included in the base rent.
Chances are, you can't cover the cost of living in a community with your retirement savings alone. Other funding choices include:
When looking at your options, you may feel overwhelmed, and choosing one senior living community can be difficult. Here are our tips for comparing Gastonia communities:
One excellent choice in Gastonia is Morningside of Gastonia. We offer competitive prices, and there are lots of things included with your payments, including:
You can also take advantage of our military veterans program. Past service men and women get half of their first month's rent, and also $1,000 off their second month's rent if they're accepted for veterans benefits.
Many senior living communities offer trial stays where you can spend the day there, then sleep overnight. This is a great way to see if an option is right for you, as it'll put you in the exact living situation as you'd be in if you made a long-term commitment.
Just ask the communities you're interested in to see if they have such short stays available.
The important questions you should ask regarding medication management should regard:
In most cases, communities operate continuum models. This means that there's a flow from:
However, senior living communities usually focus on one type of senior care or a mix of the above, so it's essential that you pick one that has the services you want and need.
In any case, if they allow internal moves, expect the pricing and contract to change when your care level increases. It's best to confirm transfer policies and whether deposits or new contracts apply.
Staffing ratios are very important since they influence safety and quality of care. Smaller staffing ratios are better since that means each resident has more dedicated time with staff.
You should check your contract about:
You should also request their emergency/continuity plan.
Even if the possibility of moving into a senior living community seems far away, it doesn't hurt to learn the cost of senior living before then. While things can change and costs can go up, having an idea now can help immensely in the future so that quotes are less of a shock to the system.
Morningside of Gastonia has exclusive lifestyle programs to enhance the senior living experience through amenities like a library, salon, and entertainment spaces. Get in touch with us now to hear more about senior living in Gastonia, NC.