Assisted living homes
1,86085% of facilities
10 or fewer residents · about 8 licensed beds on average
Usually converted residential houses with a small, family-style setting and a quieter, more personal pace.
Arizona Assisted Living Guide & Directory
Assisted Living in Arizona
Compare licensed assisted living homes and communities across Arizona with state licensing data, 2025 regional costs, care levels and payment options in one place. Explore on your own, or get free help from a local Senior Care Advisor.
(480) 376-8402Arizona assisted living at a glance
Overview
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is a state-licensed residential setting for seniors who need help with daily activities but not the skilled nursing of a nursing home. In Arizona it ranges from small residential care homes to large campus communities. When needs are lighter, families also compare in-home care.
What assisted living usually includes
- Private or shared rooms or apartments
- Meals and dining services
- Help with bathing, dressing and grooming
- Medication management and reminders
- 24-hour staff availability
- Housekeeping and laundry
- Social activities and programming
- Transportation assistance
Signs it may be time to consider it
- Difficulty with bathing, dressing or hygiene
- Missed or doubled medication doses
- Falls or balance issues at home
- Trouble preparing regular meals
- Growing isolation or loneliness
- A family caregiver stretched too thin
- Early memory concerns needing structure
- A hospital stay that changed care needs
Services vary by community — confirm what is included in each base monthly rate.
Arizona Data
Arizona Assisted Living by the Numbers
The Arizona Department of Health Services licensing report dated June 1, 2026 lists 2,190 licensed assisted living facilities with 45,331 resident beds. Most are small homes — but most beds are in larger centers.
Assisted living centers
33015% of facilities
11 or more residents · about 91 licensed beds on average
Larger communities with apartments, dining rooms, scheduled activities and on-site amenities.
Where Arizona's listed communities are, by county
- Maricopa County1,65176%
- Pima County29814%
- Pinal County703%
- Yavapai County563%
- Mohave County281%
- Yuma County241%
- Coconino County151%
- Gila County111%
- Cochise County111%
- Navajo County70%
- Apache County30%
- Santa Cruz County20%
- Graham County20%
Sources: AZDHS assisted living home and center licensing reports (June 1, 2026); size thresholds per A.R.S. § 36-401. SeniorVue directory counts are live, with listings last verified September 15, 2026.
Arizona Licensing
Arizona Assisted Living Care Levels
Arizona licenses each facility for a highest care level — Supervisory, Personal or Directed. A facility licensed for Directed Care may also serve residents at lower levels, which is why most Arizona facilities hold a Directed Care license.
Supervisory Care
3facilities licensed at this level
Oversight, reminders and medication help for residents who manage most personal care themselves.
Best for
Largely independent seniors with occasional support needs.
Personal Care
40facilities licensed at this level
Hands-on help with bathing, dressing, grooming and mobility, plus oversight and medication support.
Best for
Seniors who need regular help with daily activities but not nursing care.
Directed Care
1,831facilities licensed at this level
Ongoing direction and supervision for residents with cognitive impairment who cannot recognize danger or direct their own care.
Best for
Moderate-to-advanced dementia or significant cognitive decline.
Counts from the AZDHS licensing report dated June 1, 2026; 316 facilities had no care level listed in the report.
Arizona Licensing
Arizona Assisted Living Licensing & Oversight
Arizona regulates assisted living at the state level. Understanding who licenses these communities — and how to check their records — helps families verify what a community claims.
Licensed and inspected by the state
The Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) licenses every assisted living facility in Arizona and conducts routine inspections. Licenses have effective and expiration dates and must be kept current.
Care levels appear on the license
Each facility's license identifies its authorized care level — Supervisory, Personal or Directed. Match that level to an individual assessment. Directed Care authorization alone does not tell you whether a home has secured exits, awake overnight staff or experience with a particular care need; ask the manager directly.
You can check any community's record
Use Arizona Care Check to match the facility name, street address and license number. Review the current license and available inspection and complaint records, including dates and any documented corrections. Homes with similar names may have different licenses. A listing or license does not confirm an open room.
Search Arizona Care Check (opens in a new window)SeniorVue community profiles are checked against AZDHS licensing records. You can always confirm a community's license, inspections, and complaint history yourself using the public Arizona Care Check (opens in a new window) tool. The AZDHS care-level definitions (opens in a new window) describe what each licensed level may include.
Cost Benchmarks
How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Arizona?
Across Arizona, the 2025 CareScout statewide median is $6,250 per month for a private one-bedroom in licensed assisted living. Regional medians range from about $4,818 per month in the Yuma region to $7,313 per month in the Flagstaff region.
| Arizona region | Counties | Listed on SeniorVue | Monthly median | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler region | Maricopa, Pinal | 1,721 | $6,000 | $72,000 |
| Tucson region | Pima | 298 | $6,858 | $82,290 |
| Prescott Valley–Prescott region | Yavapai | 56 | $6,225 | $74,700 |
| Flagstaff region | Coconino | 15 | $7,313 | $87,750 |
| Lake Havasu City–Kingman region | Mohave | 28 | $5,975 | $71,700 |
| Sierra Vista–Douglas region | Cochise | 11 | $5,850 | $70,200 |
| Yuma region | Yuma | 24 | $4,818 | $57,810 |
| Arizona statewide | All counties | 2,178 | $6,250 | $75,000 |
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler region
Maricopa, Pinal counties · 1,721 listed
$6,000/month
Tucson region
Pima counties · 298 listed
$6,858/month
Prescott Valley–Prescott region
Yavapai counties · 56 listed
$6,225/month
Flagstaff region
Coconino counties · 15 listed
$7,313/month
Lake Havasu City–Kingman region
Mohave counties · 28 listed
$5,975/month
Sierra Vista–Douglas region
Cochise counties · 11 listed
$5,850/month
Yuma region
Yuma counties · 24 listed
$4,818/month
Arizona statewide
$6,250/month · $75,000 annual
These CareScout medians are private-pay planning benchmarks for a private one-bedroom in licensed assisted living. They are not provider quotes, city-specific averages or guaranteed all-in charges, and survey data was collected July–November 2025. Actual pricing varies by community, room type, care level and included services — request itemized written quotes before comparing communities.
What moves the monthly price
Care needs
A license describes permitted care, not a price tier. Ask how bathing, transfers, toileting, medication help and overnight needs affect the assessed monthly charge.
Room type
Compare shared rooms, private bedrooms, studios and apartments separately. Ask whether the bathroom is private and whether a second occupant costs extra.
Home vs. center
A residential home may bundle services that a larger center bills separately. Request the same list of included care and services from each provider.
Location
Regional medians are starting points, not individual city quotes. Weigh visits from family, transportation to appointments and the home’s actual address alongside price.
Add-on services
Ask about medication administration, incontinence supplies, escorts, transport and special diets. Confirm which fees recur and which are charged only when used.
Move-in and future costs
Request one-time fees, deposit and refund terms, reassessment charges and rent-increase notice. Compare the first month and ongoing monthly total separately.
Paying for Care
How to Pay for Assisted Living in Arizona
Medicare generally does not pay for long-term assisted living. Most families combine one or more of these pathways — and eligibility rules change, so confirm with each program directly.
Private pay
Savings, retirement income, pensions or home-sale proceeds. Request an itemized quote so you know what is included.
Long-term care insurance
Many policies cover assisted living once a benefit trigger is met. Check the elimination period and daily maximum.
VA Aid & Attendance
Eligible wartime veterans and surviving spouses may receive a monthly pension add-on toward care.
VA.gov eligibility (opens in a new window)Arizona ALTCS
AHCCCS's Medicaid long-term care program can cover the care portion for eligible seniors. Room and board is typically still owed.
ALTCS guideComparing Care Options
How Assisted Living Compares to Other Care Options
Assisted living is one of several care settings families consider. Here is how it differs from the most common alternatives in Arizona.
Assisted Living vs. Independent Living
Independent living is for seniors who manage daily activities on their own and want a maintenance-free, social lifestyle. Assisted living adds personal care support, medication management, and 24-hour staff availability.
- Independent living does not include personal care or medication management.
- Assisted living staff help with bathing, dressing, and other daily tasks.
- Many campuses offer both, so couples with different needs can stay close together.
Assisted Living vs. Nursing Homes
Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide around-the-clock medical care and skilled nursing supervision. Assisted living provides personal care support in a more home-like setting and works well for seniors who are medically stable.
- Nursing homes focus on medical and nursing care; assisted living focuses on help with daily activities.
- Assisted living is generally less expensive than skilled nursing care.
- Medicare may cover short skilled-nursing rehab stays but generally does not pay for long-term assisted living.
Assisted Living vs. In-Home Care
In-home care brings help into the home by the hour. It can work well when support needs are manageable and the senior strongly prefers to stay home. Overnight or 24-hour home care may be arranged separately; compare the full staffing cost and opportunities for social contact.
- In-home care is billed hourly; costs rise quickly as daily needs grow.
- Assisted living combines housing and daily support; confirm which care services are included in the quoted rate.
- Some families combine both — for example, in-home help while waiting for an opening.
Assisted Living vs. Memory Care
Memory care focuses on support for people living with dementia. Arizona assisted living homes and centers authorized for Directed Care may serve residents with cognitive impairment. Compare the assessment, staffing, routines and exit-safety measures for your loved one.
- Ask how exits are monitored and how staff respond to wandering or distress; safety arrangements vary.
- Memory care staff receive dementia-specific training and structure each day around familiar routines.
- Some assisted living communities include a secured memory care unit — ask directly if that matters for your family.
Tour Preparation
Questions to Ask on an Assisted Living Tour
Bring this checklist when you visit communities. Tap each question to mark it as covered, or print a clean copy to take with you.
0 of 20 questions marked as covered
Care & Licensing
Staffing & Safety
Daily Life
Contracts & Costs
Not sure what the answers should sound like? A SeniorVue advisor can walk you through the checklist before your tour — at no cost.
Get Free Tour Prep HelpBy Location
Assisted Living by City in Arizona
Start with the city where family can visit regularly, then compare nearby options. In the East Valley, explore Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, Queen Creek and San Tan Valley; elsewhere, browse Phoenix, the West Valley, Tucson and regional cities below. Compare the actual address, travel time, care fit and written price—not just the city name. Counts reflect SeniorVue's live directory, not current vacancies.
Phoenix
370 communities
Tucson
271 communities
Mesa
189 communities
Scottsdale
183 communities
Chandler
152 communities
Surprise
141 communities
Glendale
139 communities
Peoria
125 communities
Gilbert
82 communities
Goodyear
41 communities
Queen Creek
27 communities
Tempe
24 communities
Maricopa
22 communities
Yuma
22 communities
Prescott
20 communities
Avondale
19 communities
Sun City
19 communities
Green Valley
16 communities
Prescott Valley
16 communities
Paradise Valley
15 communities
San Tan Valley
15 communities
Lake Havasu City
15 communities
Laveen
13 communities
Fountain Hills
12 communities
Casa Grande
11 communities
Flagstaff
11 communities
Cottonwood
10 communities
Buckeye
8 communities
Litchfield Park
8 communities
Anthem
8 communities
Sun City West
7 communities
El Mirage
7 communities
Cave Creek
5 communities
Waddell
4 communities
Carefree
3 communities
Apache Junction
View care options
Arizona City
View care options
Bullhead City
View care options
Camp Verde
View care options
Catalina
View care options
Chino Valley
View care options
Clarkdale
View care options
Coolidge
View care options
Cornville
View care options
Dewey-Humboldt
View care options
Douglas
View care options
Eagar
View care options
Florence
View care options
Fort Mohave
View care options
Globe
View care options
Gold Canyon
View care options
Hereford
View care options
Holbrook
View care options
Kingman
View care options
Lakeside
View care options
Marana
View care options
McNeal
View care options
Nogales
View care options
Oro Valley
View care options
Page
View care options
Paulden
View care options
Payson
View care options
Pearce
View care options
Rio Rico
View care options
Sahuarita
View care options
San Luis
View care options
Sedona
View care options
Show Low
View care options
Sierra Vista
View care options
Snowflake
View care options
Star Valley
View care options
Sun Lakes
View care options
Thatcher
View care options
Tolleson
View care options
Vernon
View care options
Wickenburg
View care options
Williams
View care options
Wittmann
View care options
Youngtown
View care options
Common Questions
Assisted Living in Arizona: FAQ
How much does assisted living cost in Arizona?
The 2025 CareScout statewide median is about $6,250 per month ($75,000 per year) for a private one-bedroom. Regional medians range from $4,818 in the Yuma region to $7,313 in the Flagstaff region; the Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler median is $6,000. Actual costs depend on care level, room type and included services — request itemized written quotes.
How do assisted living costs compare in Gilbert, Chandler and Mesa?
The 2025 CareScout benchmark for the Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler region is $6,000 per month for a private one-bedroom. It is a regional median, not a separate Gilbert, Chandler or Mesa average. Compare local homes using the same assessed care needs and room type. Ask for base rent, recurring care fees, one-time charges and the total monthly quote in writing. A shared room or private bedroom in a small home is not directly comparable to a one-bedroom apartment.
How many assisted living facilities are in Arizona?
The Arizona Department of Health Services licensing report dated June 1, 2026 lists 2,190 licensed assisted living facilities: 1,860 assisted living homes and 330 assisted living centers, with 45,331 licensed resident beds in total. SeniorVue checks its directory against this report and currently lists 2,178 communities across 79 Arizona cities.
What is the difference between an assisted living home and an assisted living center in Arizona?
Under Arizona law (A.R.S. § 36-401), an assisted living home serves ten or fewer residents, and an assisted living center serves eleven or more. Homes are usually converted residential houses with a small, family-style feel; centers are larger communities with more amenities and staff. Both are licensed by AZDHS and can hold the same care levels.
What are Arizona's assisted living care levels?
Arizona licenses assisted living at three levels: Supervisory Care (oversight and reminders), Personal Care (hands-on help with bathing, dressing and mobility) and Directed Care (for residents with cognitive impairment who cannot direct their own care). The license shows which levels a facility may provide.
What is the difference between assisted living and a nursing home?
Assisted living provides personal care, meals and daily support in a residential setting for medically stable seniors. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide around-the-clock medical and nursing care. Assisted living is generally less expensive.
Does ALTCS or Medicare pay for assisted living in Arizona?
Medicare generally does not pay for long-term assisted living. Arizona's ALTCS program (AHCCCS's Medicaid long-term care program) can help eligible seniors with the care portion of assisted living costs, based on functional and financial criteria. Confirm eligibility with AHCCCS and ask the member’s health plan or case manager about contracted providers, authorized services and member costs. A home accepting ALTCS does not guarantee an available room or an automatic transition from private pay.
How do I check an Arizona assisted living facility's license and inspections?
Use Arizona Care Check, the free public tool from AZDHS. Match the name, address and license number, then read the available inspection and complaint records with their dates and follow-up findings. Confirm the current licensed care level and ask the manager how any cited problems were addressed.
What happens when a resident's needs exceed the community's licensed care level?
A community cannot provide care beyond its license. Options include a care-level change within the community (if licensed for it), added outside services, or a move to a setting licensed for more care. Ask how each community handles changing needs before signing.
What is respite care in assisted living?
Respite care is a short stay — a few days to a few weeks — that gives a home caregiver a break or supports recovery after a hospital stay. Availability depends on open rooms, and it is a low-pressure way to try a community.
Does 24-hour staffing mean a nurse or an awake caregiver is always on site?
Do not assume those terms mean the same thing. Ask who is physically present during each shift, whether overnight caregivers are awake, how many residents they support and when a nurse is available. Describe the help needed at night, including toileting, transfers or confusion, and ask how staff would respond. Get the agreed support documented before choosing a home.
What should we confirm before moving from a hospital or rehab to assisted living?
Ask the discharge team and receiving home to coordinate the assessment, current medication list, care instructions, equipment and transport. Confirm that the home can meet the person's needs and has an appropriate room ready. Ask who will handle prescriptions and follow-up appointments. A directory listing or a tour does not establish admission approval or a move-in date.
Can someone keep a private room when switching from private pay to ALTCS?
Do not assume a private room will remain available under the same terms. Before signing, ask the provider and ALTCS case manager about plan participation, room arrangements, member charges and what happens if approval is delayed or denied. Request the home's private-pay-to-ALTCS policy in writing; participation and availability must be confirmed for that specific home.
How does SeniorVue help families find assisted living?
SeniorVue provides free, advisor-supported guidance: understanding care needs, comparing licensed communities, reviewing payment options like ALTCS and planning next steps. Families do not pay SeniorVue for guidance; a participating provider may compensate us if a family chooses that provider. Families remain free to choose any provider. We are a guidance service and do not operate communities.
Editorial review and sources
Vanessa Hicks
Senior Care Advisor & Director of Care Relations, SeniorVue
Content updated September 28, 2026 · Last advisor review September 22, 2026
Cost figures on this page come from the CareScout 2025 Cost of Care survey and are planning benchmarks — not quotes or guarantees. Facility, bed and care-level counts come from the AZDHS assisted living licensing reports SeniorVue imports and reconciles each cycle; directory counts reflect SeniorVue's live published listings. Program rules and provider participation can change; confirm details directly with any community you are considering.
Sources
- CareScout — regional cost comparison tool (opens in a new window)
- AHCCCS — ALTCS covered services and case management (opens in a new window)
- Medicare — long-term care coverage (opens in a new window)
- CareScout 2025 Cost of Care — national and state tables (opens in a new window)
- CareScout — survey methodology (opens in a new window)
- AZDHS — Arizona assisted living care levels (opens in a new window)
- Arizona Care Check — facility and license records (opens in a new window)
- A.R.S. § 36-401 — assisted living home and center definitions (opens in a new window)
- VA — Aid and Attendance benefits (opens in a new window)
Ready to Get Started
Not Sure If Assisted Living Is the Right Fit?
A SeniorVue advisor can help you compare assisted living, memory care, in-home care and residential care homes — and review payment options like ALTCS. Guidance is always free for families.
No cost to families. No pressure. Arizona-based advisors.