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Houston is home to the largest senior population in Texas, making it a hotspot for health care, outdoor activities, and senior living options. Independent living senior communities are designed for 55+ adults, so seniors can reside alongside individuals in their same stage of life. A Place for Mom partners with 11 independent living communities within a 10-mile radius of downtown Houston. These communities enable aging adults to enjoy a carefree retirement with convenient services, like on-site maintenance, housekeeping, and meal plans, that make daily life easier.
In this guide, we’ve put together a wealth of information on Houston’s independent living facilities, so prospective residents can find their ideal community. We use our 20+ years of senior living experience, proprietary data on local communities, and feedback from seniors and their families to inform you on local independent living costs, services and amenities, state regulations, and even payment tips. Each section also includes valuable senior-specific, local resources and demographics.
Types of care available in Houston, TX
Independent Living
everything was great and there were plenty of activities for the residents. My sister did no participate but they had a lot of activities. The facility was just too big for her and she was not a good fit. She is at a 14 bed facility now much better for her. But Copperfield was great. It was ok for the value of money. But quality of care was limited for my sister. She did not do well we had to move her to assisted living. Staff were excellent. They were always friendly, understanding and helpful
My loved one is currently a resident at Elison Park Independent Living and most everything has been great for her at this facility so far. The cleanliness and friendliness are great. The meals and activities are also great. As for the value for cost, they substantially raise the rent every year. They did cut the amount that they raised my loved one's rent in half after she went and complained. Overall, I would recommend Elison Park to others.
All of the categories are a 5. What I like the most about Tarrytowne Estates are the employees, they have long term investment and do their best to meet one's needs whether that be large or small. I have run into visitors once or twice and always encouraged them to really consider Tarrytowne Estates!
4718 Hallmark Dr, Houston, TX 77056
Since 1972, The Hallmark has been the ideal community in Houston for energetic seniors who want to remain active and socially engaged in their retirement.Experience a place that you can call home, nestled in the exciting Uptown Park area. Connect with new friends, while enjoying the pastimes you...
7200 Shadyvilla Ln, Houston, TX 77055
4141 N Braeswood Blvd, Houston, TX 77025
6333 Chimney Rock, Houston, TX 77081
4346 Alvin St., Houston, TX 77051
9110 Tidwell, Houston, TX 77078
6262 N Braeswood Blvd, Houston, TX 77074
The Medallion Assisted Living Community gives you an intimate boutique experience located near family and friends in the Meyerland area. We have a committed staff with a team approach to providing quality care to your loved one where we honor and nurture together. At the Medallion, you will have...
6200 N Braeswood Blvd, Houston, TX 77074
Located in Southwest Houston, Seven Acres is a non-profit Medicaid certified geriatric campus. Ammenities include: a variety of room accommodations, on-site medical suite with physicians officed on the campus, on-site phycial, speech, and occupational therapies, dental and opthalmology as...
8304 Beechnut, Houston, TX 77036
8484 Jason St, Houston, TX 77074
12802 Leitrim Way, Houston, TX 77047
11100 Braesridge Dr, Houston, TX 77071
10050 West Rd, Houston, TX 77064
Lamie’s Care provide personalized long-term care service. Residents receive housing, meals and support. It is an ideal option for older adults in fair or better health who can manage daily life on their own, for the most part, but would benefit from help with essential activities like managing...
11800 S Glen Dr, Houston, TX 77099
8808 Frey Rd, Houston, TX 77034
10888 Huntington Estates Dr., Houston, TX 77099
9814 Grant Rd, Houston, TX 77070
1830 Hollyoak Drive, Houston, TX 77084
The median rent cost of independent senior living in Houston is $2,820 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s 2022-2023 proprietary data of partner communities. This figure excludes any additional fees for amenities and care services. You’ll find that independent living facilities in Houston have a lot to offer at an affordable price. These costs can include, but are not limited to, the following:
The below costs give an area comparison of average senior independent living costs and don’t necessarily account for any additional fees, such as meal plans or extra services.
9.77 miles from you
Your zip code
16.87 miles from you
Medicaid and Medicare don’t cover independent living senior community costs, as these are not considered long-term care communities. So, Houston seniors typically combine their personal resources to pay for independent senior living. Houston veterans may also use their veteran benefits to offset some costs for independent living in Houston, Texas.
It’s important to note that if you’re planning for care needs that may arise in the future, Medicaid and Medicare may be used to cover some in-home care services or care expenses in assisted living or memory care communities.
Private pay methods include a senior’s savings accounts, Social Security benefits, retirement pensions, investment returns, and more.
Note: Long-term care insurance doesn’t typically apply to independent living communities, as these policies usually only cover medical care costs in senior care communities. However, learning about long-term care insurance can be useful for future planning, in case a transfer to an assisted living care facility ever becomes necessary.
Also note: Texas is one of the few states in the nation without personal income tax, saving you from paying additional taxes on Social Security benefits or other retirement income.[02,03]
Read on for some insights into other ways you might pay for independent senior living costs:
Independent living communities in Houston are not regulated by a state agency. However, most of our partner Houston communities share their campus with an assisted living facility. This means they are required to comply with assisted living licensing and regulation requirements set forth by the Texas Health and Human Services, also known as the HHS. Texas independent living facilities with an assisted living facility on the same campus are required to regulate the following in order to pass inspections and stay licensed:
Stand-alone independent living facilities aren’t regulated by the Texas Health and Human Services, but they are still required to comply with Texas’ general housing and apartment standards for landlords and tenants. It’s important for seniors and their families to understand their tenant rights to ensure a safe, satisfactory living situation while renting. Below, you’ll find a brief summary of tenants’ rights in Texas:
Before making any major decisions in a tenant-landlord dispute, it’s strongly recommended that a tenant consults with an attorney or tenants association. Consulting a housing expert is the best way to ensure that you don’t breach any lease agreements and will ultimately help you get the outcome you want.
If you’d like more information on your rights as a tenant in a Texas independent living facility, see this Tenants’ Rights Handbook.
Tenants with disabilities also have the right to request reasonable accommodations and modifications when they rent from any property owner. Reasonable accommodations are changes to community policies, and modifications are structural changes to common areas or individual units. These accommodations or modifications could include the following scenarios:
For detailed examples and information on reasonable accommodations and modifications, see the Texas Department of Housing and Human Affairs’ infographic. Also note that property owners may lawfully deny a request if the modification poses an undue financial and administrative burden.
Neither Houston nor Texas have specific COVID-19 regulations for independent living communities. However, independent living communities with an assisted living unit on-site must comply with any guidelines set forth by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (also known as the HHSC). The HHSC retired its COVID-19 response plan for assisted living facilities in January of 2023, but facilities are still required to develop their own infection prevention and control measures regarding masks, physical distancing, and additional protocols for personal protective equipment (PPE) during an active infection or outbreak.
Number of in-network assisted living facilities in market
Houston is home to the highest population of seniors in Texas. So, naturally, the city’s independent living communities check every box when it comes to helping seniors find their home — because the market is competitive. To learn exactly how Houston communities work to keep seniors healthy and happy, check out the following Houston independent living features:
It’s common practice for independent living to be provided in assisted living facilities or continuing care retirement communities. In fact, almost all of our partner independent living communities in Houston are on a campus that provides multiple care types, namely assisted living and memory care. Many communities even partner with third-party home care agencies on-site for seniors seeking advanced care services.
To further accommodate senior residents, many of these communities take extra security measures to make sure residents and their belongings remain safe. For example, most of our partnered communities have 24-hour staffing and a secured, gated campus with video-monitored entrances and exits.
Many of our independent living communities help seniors lead active lifestyles, free of daily stresses and chores. While residents are off enjoying their beloved hobbies and pastimes, staff members take care of the cleaning, maintenance, and landscaping. Most of our partner communities offer in-unit housekeeping and laundry services. Staff will also happily coordinate transportation, ensuring residents get from place to place safely. Plus, residents don’t have to worry about leaving the community for a haircut, as some partner communities offer on-site beauticians to provide new styles, colors, beard trimmings, and more.
Independent living residents are often looking to form new friendships and connections. That is precisely why many of our in-network Houston communities provide shared amenities, gathering spaces, and a myriad of on-site activities. Residents are free to gather in on-site arts and crafts centers, libraries, movie theaters, lounges, pubs, and more. They can also choose to attend events and activities hosted by the community. Many communities have a rotating calendar filled with interest-centered club meetings, fitness classes, off-site trips, holiday parties, birthday celebrations, and more.
Many seniors find themselves wary of Houston’s traffic as they age, so they tend to gravitate toward the city’s suburbs for retirement. Some of the most popular Houston suburbs for retirement include Sugar Land and Katy. These cities offer master-planned communities filled with community parks, pools, and courts. Residents in both cities also benefit from a range of amenities, enjoy cuisines from all around the world, shop local boutiques and name-brand stores, and explore niche museums. Plus, the spacious nature of the suburbs enables independent living communities to maximize their on-site amenities.
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Percentage of Houston seniors 65+ that are retired from the workforce, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Aging adults have access to many health care facilities in Houston — some of which are nationally ranked in geriatrics. Below, you’ll learn more about what Houston’s top-rated hospitals have to offer.
Houston Methodist Hospital is the No. 1 hospital in Texas and Houston, according to U.S. News and World Report. It’s nationally ranked in 10 specialties, including No. 22 in geriatrics, No. 15 in neurology, and No. 11 in orthopedics.
Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center is the No. 2 hospital in Houston and is nationally ranked in six specialties, including No. 43 in geriatrics, according to U.S. News and World Report.
Memorial Hermann Hospital is No. 3 in Houston and is high performing in seven specialties, including diabetes, orthopedics, and cardiology, according to U.S. News and World Report.
MD Anderson is the No. 1 cancer center in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report. It’s the largest cancer center in the U.S. and is also nationally ranked in geriatrics, diabetes, and urology. It’s world-renowned for its evolving research and high level of care.
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center is a popular veteran hospital in Texas. It’s known for providing a wide array of services, including a range of health, legal, and even caregiver resources.
There are several ways to get around in Houston, but due to the city’s urban sprawl, most residents own cars. Luckily, many of our in-network independent living facilities enable residents to travel safely by providing complimentary or at-cost transportation services.
However, some communities only offer rides to a limited number of events, such as strictly to appointments, errands, etc., so knowing your public transportation options will come in handy. Houston’s most popular public transportation method is METRO. It offers buses, rails, and paratransit services throughout Harris County. Houston residents who are 65+ or have a disability may also qualify for RIDES.
Additionally, active seniors may benefit from checking out the following scores from WalkScore. Each score is out of 100 and based on hyperlocal data on Houston’s public density, walking routes, public transit options, biking trails, and more:
47
36
49
As Texas’ largest city, the saying “everything’s bigger in Texas” rings true in Houston. The diverse city proclaims itself as the cultural capital of the South. To live up to this claim, the city works to accommodate the interests of all ages — most importantly, seniors. Aging adults can enjoy the city’s robust shopping and dining options, participate in senior programs at local community centers, or explore the following types of attractions:
Note that many of these attractions provide accommodations for individuals with disabilities, and some even offer senior discounts. To confirm the exact accommodations and specials available, be sure to inquire about each respective location prior to your visit.
Watercrest at Shadow Creek Ranch, Watercrest at Kingwood and Watermere at Woodland Lakes are the top-rated Independent Living facilities near Houston, TX. These Independent Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Independent Living in Houston is 4,297 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
TurboTax. (2022, September 7). States with the lowest taxes and the highest taxes.
Fritts, J. (2020, August 9). Does your state tax social security benefits? Tax Foundation.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
Assisted Living Facility Licensing Act, Health Facilities § 247.001 (2021).
Texas Young Lawyers Association & State Bar of Texas. (2019). Tenants’ Rights Handbook.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2023, January 11). HHSC retires ALF COVID-19 response plan and COVID-19 FAQs.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and over in the United States (S0103) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
WalkScore. (2023). Living in Houston.
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