The True Cost of Assisted Living in Austin (2026 Update)
What Austin-area families are actually paying in 2026 - by neighborhood, level of care, and amenities.
The 2026 median monthly cost of assisted living in the Austin metro is approximately $5,800, up roughly 6% from 2025. The Genworth Cost of Care Survey reports a similar national figure of $5,900, but Central Texas pricing varies widely by submarket.
Westlake, Lakeway, and Tarrytown communities frequently price between $7,500 and $9,500/month for a one-bedroom with standard care. North Austin (Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park) typically ranges $5,200 - $6,800. Bastrop and Marble Falls run noticeably less, often $4,400 - $5,500.
Memory care adds $1,500 - $2,500/month on top of those numbers. Most Central Texas communities also charge a one-time community fee of $2,500 - $5,000 and re-assess the level-of-care fee every 6 months.
What's almost never included: medication management above basic, transportation outside a small radius, beauty services, and personal-laundry tiers above weekly. Read the residency agreement carefully - the published rate is rarely what families actually pay in year two.
How families pay: long-term care insurance, the sale of a home, a reverse mortgage that lets one spouse remain at home while the other moves to memory care, VA Aid & Attendance (for qualifying wartime veterans and surviving spouses), and personal savings - usually some blend of three of these.
Frequently asked
Quick answers for Central Texas families
- How much does assisted living cost in Austin in 2026?
- Median monthly cost is approximately $5,800. Westlake and Lakeway communities run $7,500 - $9,500; North Austin runs $5,200 - $6,800; outlying areas like Bastrop and Marble Falls run $4,400 - $5,500.
- Does Medicare pay for assisted living in Texas?
- No. Medicare does not cover the cost of assisted living. It covers some short-term skilled nursing after a hospital stay, but daily room, board, and personal-care services are private pay (or in some cases Medicaid STAR+PLUS for qualifying low-income Texans).
- What's the difference between assisted living and memory care cost in Austin?
- Memory care typically adds $1,500 - $2,500/month on top of standard assisted living because of higher staff ratios, secured environments, and dementia-specific programming.
- Can a reverse mortgage pay for assisted living?
- Yes, when one spouse remains at home. A reverse mortgage can fund care for the spouse who has moved while the other stays in the homestead. It cannot fund care once both borrowers permanently leave the home.
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