The Average Cost of Assisted Living in Canada (2026)
Understanding what assisted living costs in Canada helps families plan with confidence. In 2026, monthly fees vary widely by province, city, and the level of personal support required. This guide explains how pricing works, what’s typically included, how private residences set rates, and what to expect from major providers so you can compare options in your area.
Planning for assisted living in Canada in 2026 usually means budgeting for both housing and ongoing support, with the final monthly total depending on care needs, location, and what’s bundled into the residence’s pricing. Because communities describe services differently, it helps to break costs into consistent parts before comparing options. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance and treatment.
What does assisted living care include?
Assisted living generally sits between independent living and long-term care, offering help with daily activities while still supporting privacy and autonomy. Common inclusions are meals, housekeeping, laundry, medication reminders or management (varies by province and staff model), and help with bathing, dressing, mobility, or transfers. Many residences also include recreational programming and basic health monitoring, but the boundary between “included” and “add-on” services can differ widely, so families should request a written service list.
Senior assisted living in Canada: provincial factors
Provincial rules and funding structures influence both availability and out-of-pocket costs. Terminology can differ (for example, “supportive living,” “personal care home,” or “retirement residence with care services”), and provinces may regulate accommodation, staffing requirements, or care delivery in different ways. Labour markets, real estate prices, and local competition also matter: urban centres with higher rents and wages often have higher monthly fees, while smaller communities may have fewer choices but sometimes lower accommodation costs.
How private assisted living is priced
Private pricing is often built from three layers: the suite (rent), hospitality services (meals, cleaning, activities), and care (personal support minutes or a care package). Some residences bundle these into one monthly rate, while others separate them so costs rise as care needs increase. It’s also common to see one-time or occasional charges such as move-in fees, security deposits, continence supplies, transportation, or additional health-related services that are not part of the base package.
Finding assisted living in your area
To compare local services in your area, start by confirming what level of support a residence can consistently deliver and how reassessments work when needs change. Ask whether care is provided by the residence’s staff, a third-party provider, or a mix, and how after-hours support is handled. It’s also useful to request sample menus, a calendar of programming, and a clear list of what is included in the monthly fee versus billed separately, then compare those lists across a few communities.
Comparing assisted living facilities in Canada
Real-world costs in Canada most often land in a broad monthly range because pricing depends on province, building type, suite size, and the amount of daily personal care required. For budgeting, many households plan for several thousand dollars per month, with higher totals in major cities, premium buildings, and situations requiring more hands-on care. The examples below use well-known operators to illustrate typical private-pay positioning; exact fees are set by each community and can change with care needs and availability.
| Product/Service | Provider | Cost Estimation |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement living with care add-ons | Chartwell Retirement Residences | Often CAD $3,500–$7,500+/month depending on suite and care package |
| Premium retirement living with assisted options | Amica Senior Lifestyles | Often CAD $6,000–$10,000+/month in higher-cost markets and larger suites |
| Retirement living with optional support services | Revera (varies by province/community) | Often CAD $3,500–$7,500+/month depending on services added |
| Retirement living with support services | Sienna Senior Living | Often CAD $4,000–$8,000+/month depending on region and care level |
| Seniors residences with hospitality and care services | Cogir (varies by province/community) | Often CAD $3,000–$7,000+/month depending on suite and service bundle |
| Independent and supportive retirement living options | Verve Senior Living | Often CAD $3,500–$7,500+/month depending on location and care needs |
| Supportive living and seniors housing (program-dependent) | The Good Samaritan Society | Often CAD $2,500–$5,500+/month in settings where private-pay accommodation is offered |
Prices, rates, or cost estimates mentioned in this article are based on the latest available information but may change over time. Independent research is advised before making financial decisions.
The most reliable way to compare is to normalize the quotes: ask each residence to price the same suite type (studio/one-bedroom), list the same care supports, and specify whether meals, housekeeping, medication support, and overnight staffing are included. That approach reduces the chance of comparing a low base rent plus many add-ons against a higher all-inclusive rate.
In practice, “average cost” also depends on whether you include only private retirement residences, or also publicly supported programs and regulated supportive living models that may have different fee structures. When families plan for 2026, it can be helpful to build a flexible budget that anticipates reassessments, inflation in food and labour, and the possibility of moving to a higher-support setting if needs change.
Costs are only one part of fit: staffing consistency, communication with families, emergency response processes, meal quality, and the clarity of the care plan can be just as important. A careful side-by-side review of service lists and policies often reveals meaningful differences that aren’t obvious from the monthly number alone.
