How Much Does It Cost to Live in Independent Living on Long Island?

How much does it cost to live in independent living? There is no single number, because the fee depends on the community, the size of the apartment, the meals and the services bundled in. What I can tell you is how the cost is built, what it usually includes, and where families get surprised.

Independent living is generally billed as a monthly rent that covers the apartment plus a package of conveniences. It is almost always less than assisted living, because it does not include hands on care. I am Mike McClernon, a senior living advisor in Glen Cove, and I have toured more than 90 communities across Nassau, Suffolk and Queens. This guide shows you how to read a price sheet and what to ask before you sign.

How much does it cost to live in independent living?

The monthly fee is a rent for an apartment inside a community, and it changes with the location, the apartment size and what is included. Communities on the North Shore of Nassau County often price differently from those in central Suffolk, and a one bedroom costs less than a two bedroom with a view. Ask for the current price sheet in writing, because it changes from year to year.

Our independent living guide shows the full range of options. Most independent living fees bundle a set of services. Common inclusions are:

• Some or all meals, often one to three a day in a dining room
• Housekeeping and linen service on a set schedule
• Utilities, cable and sometimes internet
• Scheduled transportation to appointments, shopping and outings
• Activities, fitness classes and social events
• Building maintenance, emergency call systems and security

What is usually not included is personal care. Help with bathing, dressing, medication or walking comes from assisted living, and it is billed separately or by care level. Some communities also charge a one time community fee at move in. Ask about it up front, and ask what happens to the fee if your parent leaves.

I do not quote a figure here on purpose. A number from last year can mislead you this year, and the right comparison is between two communities that both fit your parent. That comparison is what I do for families at no charge.

What is the difference between independent living and assisted living?

The difference is care. Independent living is for adults who manage daily life on their own but want to give up the upkeep of a house. Assisted living adds help with personal care, medication and daily tasks, with staff on site around the clock.

Feature	Independent living	Assisted living
Who it fits	Active adults who need no hands on help	Adults who need help with bathing, dressing, medications or mobility
Housing	Private apartment	Private or shared room or apartment
Meals	Often included, flexible	Included, with support at the table
Personal care	Not included	Included or billed by care level
Cost pattern	Monthly rent plus services	Rent plus care fees that can rise

Many families ask me which one their parent needs, and the honest answer is sometimes both over time. That is why I plan 18 to 24 months past the move. If I expect care needs to rise, I look for an independent living apartment inside a campus that also offers assisted living, so your parent does not have to leave friends later.

For a line by line look at the next step up, read how assisted living is priced on Long Island, and see what assisted living provides to understand what the extra fee buys.

What independent living communities are there for seniors on Long Island?

Long Island has independent living in several forms: stand alone independent living buildings, independent living wings on assisted living campuses, and larger campuses that offer more than one level of care. The best one is the community that fits your parent’s habits, budget and location, not the one with the nicest lobby.

Stand alone independent living

These are apartment style buildings with a dining room and activity calendar. They suit a parent who is well and social. Care, if needed, comes later and often means a move.

Independent living on a larger campus

Some communities offer independent living, assisted living and memory care in one place. This can make it simpler to stay near a spouse or friends if needs change. It can also mean higher fees, so compare it with the stand alone option.

Where to look by county

If your family is in Nassau County, our page on independent living in Nassau County is a good start. In Suffolk, see independent living in Suffolk County for the same kind of overview.

I tour these communities with families and look at staffing, food, the contract and how the building handles a rising level of care. A glossy brochure shows you the best afternoon of the year. A tour at lunch on a Tuesday shows you the real one. If you are also weighing a nursing home as a comparison, our post on what a nursing home costs compared with assisted living will help you see the spread.

Can you find independent living that accepts Medicaid?

In most cases, no. Independent living rent is paid privately, and neither Medicare nor Medicaid pays for it. Medicare does not pay for assisted living, memory care or independent living rent. Medicaid rules in New York focus on care services, and they change, so confirm the current rules with your county or an elder law attorney.

That does not mean a family with limited money has no path. A few options are worth knowing about:

1. Income based senior apartments, which are rental housing with an income test and a waiting list. They are a different product from independent living with services, and our post on how income based senior apartments differ from assisted living explains the line.
2. Assisted living programs that accept Medicaid for eligible residents, if your parent actually needs care. See how the New York assisted living program works.
3. Help from family, the sale of a home, veterans benefits or a long term care policy, where one exists.

If money is tight, the post on paying for assisted living with limited funds lays out the realistic routes. I would rather tell you early that independent living may not work on a Medicaid budget than let you tour places you cannot reach.

How do you compare the true cost of two communities?

Compare the total monthly picture, not the headline rent. Two communities can look far apart on rent and end up close once you add meals, transportation, laundry and parking.

When I sit down with a family, I build the comparison on the same few questions for every community:

• What is the base monthly fee, and what does it include?
• Which services cost extra, such as a second meal plan, a guest meal or a higher level of housekeeping?
• How often did the fee go up in recent years, and by how much does the contract allow it to rise?
• Is there a community fee, and is any of it refundable?
• If care is needed later, what does the next level cost and does it require a move?

The last two are the ones families forget. A cheaper independent living apartment becomes the expensive one if your parent has to move out in a year and start over. Look also at how much of the building your parent will use. A parent who never eats in the dining room may not need a meal plan that covers three a day.

For memory care, the same discipline applies, and our guide on comparing memory care options in your area uses the same approach.

How do families usually pay for independent living?

Most families pay from retirement income, savings and the proceeds of a home sale. Independent living is a private pay product, so planning ahead matters more than finding a program.

Typical sources include monthly income from pensions and Social Security, savings and investments, selling or renting out the family home, and help from adult children. Some veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for a benefit, and it is worth asking a veterans service office what is available. A long term care insurance policy generally pays for care, not for independent living rent, though the terms vary by policy, so read it or ask the insurer.

Because rules around benefits and taxes are personal, I always suggest a short conversation with an elder law attorney or a financial planner before a large decision. They can look at your parent’s actual numbers. I can show you which communities fit the budget you set, and I can do it without adding to your costs. My help is free to families, since the community compensates me when a family moves in. You can read more about how that works on the page about my role as a senior living advisor.

Where can you get help choosing independent living?

You can start with a free call to my office. I will ask about your parent’s health, habits, location wishes and budget, then recommend a short list and tour with you.

Assisted Living Locators of Long Island is at 42 Prospect Ave, Glen Cove, NY 11542, and I serve families in Nassau County, Suffolk County and Queens. Reach out through the contact form and I will respond quickly. If you want to see how independent living fits with other options first, return to the independent living overview or ask me about the whole range of care types: independent living, assisted living and memory care.

I have been through this with my own mother, so I know how heavy the decision feels. Take it one question at a time, and bring the price sheets to a walkthrough with me before you sign anything.

Questions readers ask

Read next

• How Much Assisted Living Costs on Long Island, Line by Line
• What Does Assisted Living Provide? A Plain Guide for Long Island Families
• How Can I Pay for Assisted Living With No Money? Medicaid, Family and Other Routes