Assisted Living
Virginia · Senior Living
Senior Living in Virginia
Compare more than 15 verified communities across 773 Virginia cities — with real local costs, every way to pay, and the state protections that keep your family safe. When you're ready, a local advisor helps you tour, free.
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In short: Assisted living in Virginia averages $6,500–$7,000 per month, memory care runs $7,100–$7,600, and independent living starts near $3,200. Virginia exempts Social Security from state income tax and offers a senior age deduction, its Medicaid Cardinal Care program helps those who qualify, and every assisted living facility is licensed and inspected by the Virginia Department of Social Services.
What it costs
The cost of senior living in Virginia
Prices vary by care level and region. These are 2026 statewide monthly averages.
| Care type | Typical monthly cost | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Living | $3,200 – $4,600 | Age-restricted housing, amenities, meals — no medical care |
| Assisted Living Most common | $6,500 – $7,000 | Housing, meals, medication help, daily personal care |
| Memory Care | $7,100 – $7,600 | Secured community, dementia-trained staff, higher ratios |
| Nursing Home (semi-private) | $8,600 – $10,400 | 24-hour skilled nursing and complex medical care |
Statewide averages for planning only; a private nursing-home room runs ~$9,800–$11,800/mo. Your community provides exact pricing.
Browse by need
Senior living care types in Virginia
Jump straight to the care level you need, filtered to Virginia communities.
How families pay
Paying for senior living in Virginia
Most families combine several sources, including the programs unique to Virginia.
Virginia Medicaid (Cardinal Care)
The Cardinal Care Managed Care / CCC Plus Waiver helps pay for care. In 2026, a single applicant's income limit is $2,982/mo and countable assets must be $2,000 or less; a primary home is usually exempt. The state-funded Auxiliary Grant can help with assisted living room and board.
VA benefits
Wartime veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for Aid & Attendance, a monthly pension add-on that can be applied toward assisted living or memory care.
Private pay & LTC insurance
Savings, home-sale proceeds, pensions, and long-term care insurance. Virginia exempts Social Security from state tax and offers a senior age deduction of up to $12,000.
Why families choose Virginia
History, healthcare and tax breaks
0%
State tax on Social Security — fully exempt
~1.3M
Residents aged 65+, about 18% of the state
$12K
Senior age deduction for filers 65+ (income-tested)
$40K
Military retirement subtraction, at any age
Virginia pairs a mild four-season climate with deep healthcare infrastructure — major systems like Inova, Sentara, VCU Health and UVA Health — plus a strong network of continuing-care communities in Northern Virginia, Richmond, Charlottesville and Hampton Roads. Social Security is fully exempt from state tax, and the senior age deduction and military retirement subtraction help retirement income stretch further.
Know your protections
How Virginia regulates senior care
Choosing is easier when you know who's watching over every community. Virginia's oversight is clear and consistent statewide.
- Licensed & inspected by VDSS. Every assisted living facility is licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs, with regular unannounced inspections.
- Nursing homes overseen by VDH. Skilled nursing facilities are licensed and inspected separately by the Virginia Department of Health.
- Resident rights in law. Virginia's assisted living regulations guarantee freedom from abuse or unauthorized restraint, fee transparency, confidential records, and the right to voice grievances without reprisal.
- Rights posted and enforced. Facilities must post resident rights in large type with ombudsman and helpline numbers; the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman investigates complaints.
Verified directory
Every listing is a real, state-licensed community
Our Virginia directory is built from verified facility records. When you're ready, a local advisor helps you compare options, check availability, and tour — at no cost to your family.
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What will senior living in Virginia cost?
Pick a care type for an instant monthly estimate — then talk to an advisor for exact, community-specific pricing. Free, no obligation.
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estimated / month in Virginia
Get exact pricing — 1 (844) 203 4645Featured communities
Senior living communities in Virginia
A few of the verified, state-licensed communities families are touring now. Contact is handled through a free advisor to keep your information private.
Assisted Living
Assisted Living
Assisted LivingExplore by location
Senior living in every Virginia city
Browse communities in any of the 773 Virginia cities we cover — start with the largest markets below.
Richmond
3
Fairfax
2
Sterling
2
Virginia Beach
2
Alexandria
1
Hampton
1
Springfield
1
Stafford
1
Staunton
1
Williamsburg
1
Abbott
0
Abingdon
0
Accomac
0
Achilles
0
Acorn
0
Adwolf
0
Afton
0
Alberene
0
Alberta
0
Aldie
0
Alleghany
0
Allisonia
0
Altavista
0
Alton
0
Amelia Court House
0
Amherst
0
Amonate
0
Annandale
0
Appalachia
0
Apple Grove
0
Apple Mountain Lake
0
Appomattox
0
Aquia Harbour
0
Ararat
0
Arcola
0
Arlington
0
Arrington
0
Arvonia
0
Ashburn
0
Ashland
0
Atkins
0
Atlantic
0
Augusta Springs
0
Austinville
0
Axton
0
Bacova
0
Baileys Crossroads
0
Baltimore
0
Barboursville
0
Barracks
0
Baskerville
0
Bassett
0
Bastian
0
Basye
0
Batesville
0
Bayside
0
Bealeton
0
Beaverdam
0
Bedford
0
Bellamy
0
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does assisted living cost in Virginia?
Assisted living in Virginia averages $6,500 to $7,000 per month in 2026. Northern Virginia and Charlottesville sit at the higher end, while smaller markets like Roanoke, Lynchburg and the Shenandoah Valley can run lower.
Does Virginia Medicaid pay for assisted living?
Yes — through Cardinal Care Managed Care and the CCC Plus Waiver, for those who meet the clinical and financial limits. Medicaid covers care services, not room and board directly, but the state-funded Auxiliary Grant can help eligible low-income seniors with assisted living costs.
Is Virginia a good state to retire in?
For many families, yes — Social Security is fully exempt from state income tax, a senior age deduction of up to $12,000 is available, military retirement can be subtracted up to $40,000, and there is no estate or inheritance tax.
Who regulates senior living facilities in Virginia?
The Virginia Department of Social Services (Division of Licensing Programs) licenses and inspects every assisted living facility; nursing homes are licensed by the Virginia Department of Health.
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