31st
OVERALL STATE RANK
Assisted living in Missouri provides long-term residential living in a community setting, with care services tailored to meet the varied needs of residents. Assisted living communities offer a variety of activities for seniors but also provide support with activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, and eating. The median cost of assisted living in Missouri is $4,600 per month or $55,200 annually, according to A Place for Mom’s internal data on assisted living facilities in Missouri.[01]
While the story for how Missouri came to be known as the “Show-Me” state is debated, the borders are the only limits to all there is to see and do. Mark Twain State Park is just one example of the serene woodlands, lakes, and rivers that provide a quiet place for Missourians to commune with nature. For a deep dive into culture, Missouri’s cities are the stage for the state’s unique contributions to music, history, and of course, barbecue.
State scorecard
How we determine rankings
Our 2023 state ranking for assisted living uses A Place for Mom’s proprietary data collected from our community partners. First, we sorted through our metrics and grouped them into three pillars that are key in a quality assisted living experience. We weighted these pillars differently based on insights from our senior living experts. Then, we used these categories and their weighting to determine how each state ranks.
Top ranked Missouri cities for assisted living overall
Key findings
Top ranked Missouri cities - Services & Amenities
Key findings
Missouri vs. the national monthly median cost of assisted living
Top ranked Missouri cities - Affordability
Key findings
Top ranked Missouri cities - Ratings
I love living at Turners Rock. It is very comfortable and homey. The staff and residents are great and we have lots of fun together. Every day is a happy day and I just love being here. I have met some...
I moved to Mission Ridge from out of state over a year ago and I've had a very good experience. I've met a lot of wonderful people and feel welcome here. I've made so many friends. The staff is wonderful....
I have gone through several changes when I moved into Garden Villas, but immediately felt at home. Welcomed and safe. I'm very content.
It was wonderful. They were right on time for us we need a place real fast n they were very good to accommodate to day we needed to move my dad. They greeted him and he received them very well and still is...
Staff-superior people! Especially [name removed] , [name removed]and [name removed]. The cleaning staff (I have mostly had [name removed]) are friendly and efficient. Kitchen staff exceeds expectations...
Our family was very happy with the care our cousin received in the memory care unit at The Boulevard. The staff provided many activities for the residents and their families, including crafts, movies and...
The food is pretty good, lots of variety, but definitely institutional. There are lots of activities & special celebrations. There's even a brain training program available. Family members are regularly kept...
The staff is very friendly and helpful. I completely trust them to care for my father. The staff that comes to clean his room does a wonderful job. My dad doesn't participate in the activities but the...
The staff, medical, kitchen, activities director, front desk, and facilities manager, work like a team and are incredibly adaptable to the residents' needs. Everyone is super warm and open and made my mom...
Our family was very happy with the care our cousin received in the memory care unit at The Boulevard. The staff provided many activities for the residents and their families, including crafts, movies and...
I would highly recommend Lake St. Charles. I also recommend a Place for Mom as a great service. I like the continuity of care. This community hires their own staff, no using a staffing service. Maintenance...
My husband had a stroke and returned to the facility afterwards & I don't feel he is a good representative to let you know about all the questions you have asked. Everyone is very friendly . I feel the...
I have gone through several changes when I moved into Garden Villas, but immediately felt at home. Welcomed and safe. I'm very content.
Staff is friendly and work with the residents. Food is good and plentiful along with snacks. I liked that they had a thanksgiving buffet a couple weeks ahead of the holiday, although seating was limited our...
We generally have nothing but completely positive things to say about Park Place. Other than my mother's own reticence about leaving her home, we've had a tremendous experience with the team.
The cost of living in Missouri is lower than the national average and is reflected in the median cost of assisted living for the state: approximately $2,400 to $6,800 per month. This range is an estimate based on A Place for Mom’s proprietary data that evaluates what families actually paid at partnering assisted living facilities in Missouri.
Assisted living prices can vary and are affected by several factors including location, services, and amenities offered, as well as the specific care needs of an individual. Communities located near a larger cities, like St. Louis or Kansas City, are likely to be more expensive. Luxury amenities and specialized services can also add to monthly costs.
Other factors that can affect the cost of assisted living may include:
Many families pay for assisted living room and board fees using a combination of private pay methods, including personal savings and retirement funds. However, families may use Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurance, or veteran’s benefits to cover medical services and some personal care.
Average monthly costs
Missouri
US National average
Average monthly costs
Average monthly costs
Average monthly costs
| Community type | Missouri | U.S. | Cost difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assisted Living | $3,790/mo | $4,612/mo | 17.8% below national median |
| Memory Care | $5,262/mo | $5,372/mo | 2.0% below national median |
| Independent Living | $3,211/mo | $4,070/mo | 21.1% below national median |
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Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
There are numerous ways to pay for senior care in Missouri, and it’s common for families to blend a variety of payment methods. Keep in mind that early planning often provides families with more payment options. The following section has information on several resources, including private pay, public insurance such as Medicaid, private insurance options, and veterans benefits.
“Private pay” is a term that describes using your own personal funds to pay for something. Personal funds used to pay assisted living costs may include money from the sale of a home, a savings account, pension payments or a retirement account. Many of the families we refer to assisted living use a combination of personal funds to pay, including the following common options.
Families in Missouri can generate income to pay for assisted living by selling a house.
Another tool seniors in Missouri can use to pay for assisted living is a reverse mortgage, which is a loan that turns a borrower’s home equity into funds to pay for long-term care expenses.
In Missouri some seniors may be able to use the funds in a health savings account to cover some expenses associated with assisted living.
Seniors with life insurance policies may be able to use benefits to pay for long term care in Missouri. A “long-term care rider,” offered by some insurance providers, allows the use of funds from a policy to cover long-term care costs while the policyholder is still alive.
In Missouri, long-term care insurance may cover a range care costs. A policy may cover support with daily activities, home health care, nursing home care, or care in a group living facility. Long-term care insurance policies vary, so it’s important to understand the details of your loved one’s policy.
Some seniors in Missouri may qualify for Social Security benefits for assisted living through the Supplemental Nursing Care program. The program can help qualified seniors pay for care in an assisted living community.[02]
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides pension and disability benefits for eligible senior veterans and their surviving spouses. About 52% of veterans living in Missouri are 65 and over[03], so claiming these benefits can be a helpful source of monthly income that can be used to pay for long-term care services.
Sifting through eligibility requirements and applying for benefits can be complicated and time-consuming on your own. It can be challenging to know which benefits are available, and veterans often assume they won’t qualify. However, several local, state, and national veterans service organizations (VSOs) offer benefits counseling. An experienced veteran service officer can advise and advocate for veterans or their spouses who are trying to access VA benefits.
Certified veterans benefits assistance can be found through local VA centers and veterans service organizations in Missouri. State VSOs include the following:
Medicaid is a health insurance program for people with a limited income. It’s co-funded by federal and state governments but is administered at the state level. Medicaid coverage for assisted living won’t pay for room and board, but for qualified seniors, it may pay for some assisted living services and medical costs.
Missouri’s Medicaid program is called MO HealthNet and is operated by the Missouri Department of Social Services. Eligibility is determined by income, age, and an individual’s care needs. For seniors 65 and over who have incomes below 85% of the federal poverty level, MO HealthNet covers services that include:[04]
The Aged and Disabled waiver is part of Missouri’s home and community based services (HCBS) program. The waiver pays for services for qualified seniors 63 and over to help them remain in their community, including assisted living communities. Services may include help with home tasks and chores, but the waiver won’t cover room and board fees at an assisted living facility.[05]
Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65 or older. Medicare will cover some assisted living costs, such as medical services and procedures, but it doesn’t cover room and board expenses for assisted living communities in Missouri. The online Medicare coverage tool can help you explore which tests, medical devices, or procedures Medicare will cover.
Missouri’s Medicare savings program offers financial assistance to qualified seniors who have Medicare parts A and B. The program can provide help paying for premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments[06].
The Missouri state health insurance assistance program (MO SHIP), previously known as CLAIM, provides free counseling services to educate seniors about health insurance and to help them choose the plan that works best for their financial and medical needs.
MORx is Missouri’s state pharmacy assistance program, which provides financial assistance for qualified seniors. The program:[07]
Missouri’s long-term care ombudsman program represent seniors in long-term care facilities to help them maintain their quality of life. They advocate for the rights of seniors and educate the public to help protect the health and well-being of vulnerable older adults.
Assisted living facilities (ALFs) in Missouri are licensed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). The department defines ALFs as a facility that provides 24-hour care and protective oversight to three or more residents. Facilities must provide room and board plus the following services:[08]
Missouri state law requires that assisted living communities are inspected twice per year. Department of Health and Senior Services reviews previous reports before an inspection and conducts unannounced visits. Throughout the inspection process, surveyors make observations; conduct interviews with residents, family members, and staff; and review documentation.
Facilities are evaluated on the following criteria:[09]
For families who want to check Missouri assisted living licenses and records can use the Show Me Long Term Care in Missouri look up tool. The following tips can help make the process a little smoother:
State regulations — and a community’s track record with inspections and licensing — offer important insights into safety and quality of care in senior living communities.
Download the Guide to Senior Living Licensure and Inspection Reports to learn what to look for in inspection reports and what questions to ask when touring communities. This resource explains how to use state licensure and inspection information to evaluate a community’s compliance, care standards, and responsiveness to issues.
Let our care assessment guide you
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
We developed a system to rate each state on how easy — or difficult — it is to find important assisted living records and reports, and we compiled tips to help you in your search.
States with the most transparent records allow you to look up important information about each assisted living facility online, including inspections, complaints, survey results, violations, capacity, and whether the facility accepts Medicaid.
Public access to assisted living records and reports for the state of Missouri is exceptional. Key findings that informed this rating include:
We developed a standard methodology for state data collection and evaluation, and we based our rating primarily on the objective, state-specific accessibility criteria outlined in these questions:
1. Are licensed assisted living communities listed online in any form? Yes
2. If Yes to #1, is the information updated frequently? Yes
3. If Yes to #1, is the list of licensed communities searchable? Yes
4. Does the state post inspections, complaints, survey results, or violations online? Yes
5. If Yes to #4, is the information updated frequently (within 90 days)? Yes
6. If Yes to #2 and #4, is the enforcement information included in the same place as licensed communities? No
7. If Yes to #4 and No to #6, are violations and inspections searchable at all? No
8. Is information about special licensing for care shown? Yes or N/A
9. Is capacity shown? Yes
10. Are payment types shown (e.g., Medicaid, private pay)? Yes
11. Is the administrator/contact name shown? Yes
12. Can the state fine a facility? Yes
13. What is the frequency of inspections? [Every 12 months]
14. Does the website include pricing of facilities? No
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
Missouri Department of Social Services. Supplemental nursing care manual.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). American community survey: Missouri, 65 to 74 years, 75 years and over, veteran status (S2101).
Missouri Foundation for Health. (2023). Missouri Medicaid Basics.
Missouri Department of Social Services. Aged and disabled waiver.
Missouri Department of Social Services. (2023, June). Medicare savings program.
Missouri Department of Social Services. MORx, general questions.
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. (2020, May 31). Rules of Department of Health and Senior Services. Division 30 Division of Regulation and Licensure. Chapter 86 residential care facilities and assisted living facilities.
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Nursing homes inspections.
Overview of assisted living in MO
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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