What Senior Living Costs in Minnesota
The median published starting price for assisted living in Minnesota is $4,962 per month, computed live from 12 communities publishing rates on MyLivingChoice. Minnesota rebuilt its assisted living rules in 2021 and runs one of the more generous Medicaid waiver programs in the country, which makes it friendlier than most states for families on a budget. Every price on this page updates as listings change, instead of quoting a survey that ages.
Key facts
- •The median published starting price for assisted living in Minnesota is $4,962 per month, reported by 12 communities on MyLivingChoice.
- •Among Minnesota cities with enough published prices to compare, Golden Valley is the least expensive (median $1,490 per month) and Saint Paul the most (median $3,298).
- •Elderly Waiver can cover care services in participating Minnesota communities for Medicaid-eligible seniors; no state's Medicaid pays assisted living room and board.
- •Medicare never pays for assisted living room and board, in any state; it covers medical care such as rehab stays and home health visits.
- •MyLivingChoice lists 1,655 senior living communities and care providers in Minnesota; every price on this page is computed live from their published rates.
Median starting price by care type
Median of published starting prices across Minnesota communities on MyLivingChoice. Starting prices usually cover rent, meals, and base services; care is often charged by assessed level on top.
| Care type | Median starting price | Communities reporting |
|---|---|---|
| Assisted Living | $4,962/mo | 12 |
| Memory Care | $4,775/mo | 12 |
How families pay in Minnesota: Elderly Waiver
Minnesota's Elderly Waiver covers what the state calls customized living services (personal care, medication management, help with daily tasks) in participating assisted living settings, for people 65 and over who qualify financially for Medical Assistance, Minnesota's Medicaid, and whose care needs would otherwise qualify them for a nursing home. Room and board is not covered, though a separate housing support benefit can help some low-income residents with it.
The path in runs through a free MnCHOICES assessment from your county or tribal agency, which determines the care level and opens the waiver conversation. Many Minnesota communities accept Elderly Waiver residents, but each sets its own policy (some require a period of private pay first), so ask every community two questions: do you accept the Elderly Waiver, and do you require private pay before converting?
Beyond Medicaid, the routes are the same everywhere: private funds and family cost-sharing, long-term care insurance for those who bought it, VA Aid and Attendance for qualifying wartime veterans and surviving spouses, and home equity. The full picture is in how families actually pay for senior care.
Who regulates it, and free help
Minnesota Department of Health
Minnesota has licensed assisted living facilities directly since August 2021, with a separate license category for assisted living with dementia care. Licensing status and survey results are public through the MDH provider directory.
Senior LinkAge Line
Minnesota's free statewide help line for older adults (800-333-2433), run by the Minnesota Board on Aging. Benefits counseling, options counseling, and Medicare help, all at no cost.
MnCHOICES assessment
The free county-run assessment that determines care needs and opens the door to the Elderly Waiver and other public programs.
Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care
Independent advocates for residents of assisted living and nursing homes across Minnesota.
See real Minnesota communities and prices
Compare Minnesota communities with photos, reviews, and published prices, or tell us the situation and we will shortlist communities with availability.
Common questions
- Does Medicaid pay for assisted living in Minnesota?
- For those who qualify, yes, more so than in most states. The Elderly Waiver covers customized living services in participating communities for Medical Assistance-eligible seniors with nursing-home-level needs. Room and board stays with the resident, though housing support can help some low-income residents cover it.
- What changed with Minnesota's 2021 assisted living law?
- Before August 2021, Minnesota regulated housing and home care separately. Since then, assisted living facilities hold a single state license from the Department of Health, with a distinct license for dementia care, uniform consumer protections, and public survey results. Practically, families can now check one license and one inspection history per community.
- What does the dementia care license mean when comparing communities?
- A Minnesota community advertising memory care must hold the assisted living with dementia care license, which carries extra staffing, training, and safety requirements. If a community markets dementia care, ask to see that license category specifically.
- How much does assisted living cost in Minnesota?
- The median published starting price is $4,962 per month across the 12 Minnesota communities publishing rates on MyLivingChoice. Starting prices typically cover rent, meals, and base services, with care charges added by assessed need.