How much does assisted living cost in Canada?

Most of the market is private-pay, and the monthly cost is driven by the city, the suite, and the assessed care level rather than a flat rate. Ask for an itemized fee schedule, and see our cost guide for typical ranges.

What is the difference between assisted living and a retirement home?

The line is care intensity. Retirement homes suit fairly independent seniors who want support on hand; assisted living is for those who need regular, hands-on help with daily tasks. Many communities offer both under one roof.

Is assisted living covered by the government?

It varies by province. Some subsidize assisted living through the regional health authority based on assessed need and income, but much of the market is private-pay. Long-term care is the publicly funded option for heavy nursing needs.

When is it time for assisted living?

Common signs are missed medications, trouble with bathing or dressing, weight loss from skipped meals, or unsafe moments alone. If daily tasks are slipping and home care is no longer enough, it is worth touring a few communities.

Personalized daily support in a community setting

Assisted Living

Assisted living communities offer housing and personalized care for seniors who need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication management, while keeping independence and dignity at the centre.

Read the complete guide to assisted living

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Typical costs range from $3,000–$8,000 per month, depending on care level and location.

Care is usually billed in levels or packages that adjust as needs change.

Most communities are private-pay, with some provincial subsidies available.

Assisted living is a private suite plus hands-on daily help, bathing, dressing, medications, and meals, with staff on hand around the clock. It suits a parent who is managing less well alone but does not need full nursing care. The honest way to think about it: retirement home if they mostly want convenience, assisted living once they need regular, personal help.

Cost is the question families ask us most. Most of Canada is private-pay, billed as a base accommodation rate plus care in levels, so always ask for an itemized fee schedule. Our full cost breakdown and the assisted living guide walk through what to expect, and you can compare real communities city by city.

Typical cost in Canada

$3,000–$8,000 /mo (illustrative; local rates vary, so request a quote).

Assisted Living providers

4.4 average rating34,653 Google reviewsacross 1043 providers

1042 communities

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Sunrise of Erin Mills

4046 Erin Mills Pkwy, Mississauga, ON L5L 2W7, Canada

Starting at

From $3,678/mo

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.6(166 reviews)

“My family and I toured several retirement homes in the surounding area and we were very impressed with Sunrise Erin Mills. From the moment we arrrived, we were...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Assisted Living, Memory Care

An assisted living and memory care community in Mississauga, Ontario, offering personalized senior living with care services… Read more

Chartwell Clair Hills Retirement Residence

530 Columbia St W, Waterloo, ON N2T 0B1, Canada

Starting at

From $4,941/mo

Chartwell Clair Hills Retirement Residence

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.9(162 reviews)

“I was so happy with the way Clair Hills supported us for my mother’s 91st birthday. They made a meal exactly to my mother’s specifications and everyone enjoyed...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

An upscale retirement residence in Waterloo offering independent living and assisted living services. The residence features… Read more

Sunrise of Richmond Hill

9800 Yonge St, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 0P5, Canada

Starting at

From $5,563/mo

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.9(89 reviews)

“Sunrise is an amazing retirement community where the staff and management genuinely care about every resident's happiness and health. They are also very...”

Provides: Memory Care, Assisted Living, Respite Care

A senior living community in Richmond Hill, Ontario offering assisted living, memory care, and short-term stays. Read more

Sunrise of Burlington

5401 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, ON L7L 6S5, Canada

Starting at

From $5,350/mo

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.5(88 reviews)

“Rebecca was the most kind hearted individual in the whole residence it warmed me every time i saw her and her kindness filled my heart. whenever i went to take...”

Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Respite Care

A senior living community in Burlington, Ontario offering assisted living, memory care, and short-term stays in a convenient… Read more

Chartwell Allandale Station Retirement Residence

357 Yonge St, Barrie, ON L4N 4K3, Canada

Starting at

From $4,311/mo

Chartwell Allandale Station Retirement Residence

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.9(127 reviews)

“Charlene and all support staff at Allendale station are phenomenal! I recently held a Seniors Seminar at the residence, which was extremely successful. Parking...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

A modern retirement residence in Barrie offering independent living and assisted living options with 24-hour on-site… Read more

Chartwell Belvédères de Lachine résidence pour retraités

3000 Rue Notre Dame, Lachine, QC H8S 2H1, Canada, Montréal, Quebec

Starting at

From $1,963/mo

Chartwell Belvédères de Lachine résidence pour retraités

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.6(35 reviews)

“A great facility! Clean and full of activities! And a great Easter Brunch”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

A retirement residence near Montreal's Lachine district offering independent living, assisted living, and memory… Read more

Chartwell Conservatory Pond Retirement Residence

1499 Stoneridge Dr, Kingston, ON K7M 9H9, Canada

Starting at

From $3,971/mo

Chartwell Conservatory Pond Retirement Residence

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.9(65 reviews)

“I had a wonderful experience completing my placement at Chartwell Conservatory Pond Retirement Residence as an Office Administration student. The environment...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

A retirement residence in Kingston, Ontario, offering independent living with personalized care support. The residence… Read more

Chartwell des Rivières résidence pour retraités

1260 Rte des Rivières, Lévis, QC G7A 0V3, Canada

Starting at

From $1,565/mo

Chartwell des Rivières résidence pour retraités

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.5(44 reviews)

“Très belle RPA, super expérience client Accueil chaleureux, personnel devoué et souriant Beau menu en salle a manger, diversifié et pour tout les goûts”

Provides: Assisted Living, Independent Living, Memory Care

Est une résidence pour retraités à Lévis, Québec, offrant des milieux de vie autonome, semi-autonome et une unité de soins… Read more

Chartwell Glacier Ridge Retirement Residence

1261 Jasper Dr, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6Z4, Canada

Starting at

From $2,880/mo

Chartwell Glacier Ridge Retirement Residence

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.9(38 reviews)

“Glacier Ridge is the perfect home for a senior family member. This place became the choice for our family for so many reasons. It's conveniently located in...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

An independent living retirement residence located in Thunder Bay, Ontario, offering bright studio, one-, and two-bedroom… Read more

Chartwell Grenadier Retirement Residence

2100 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6S 1M7, Canada

Starting at

From $4,041/mo

Chartwell Grenadier Retirement Residence

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.6(59 reviews)

“As a VisaVie Senior Living Advisor, working with Monique Dionne at Chartwell Grenadier is truly an exceptional experience. Her genuine focus on kindness, care,...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

A retirement residence in Toronto's High Park neighbourhood offering independent living and assisted living options. The… Read more

Chartwell Harwood Retirement Residence

240 Old Harwood Ave, Ajax, ON L1T 0N2, Canada

Starting at

From $3,731/mo

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.7(58 reviews)

“Our family recently moved my 86-year-old father into Chartwell Harwood in Ajax, and the experience has been exceptional from start to finish. After losing my...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

An independent living retirement residence in Ajax offering spacious suites with flexible care services through its Care Assist… Read more

Chartwell Hilldale Retirement Residence

309 Hilldale Rd, Thunder Bay, ON P7G 0A2, Canada

Starting at

From $3,927/mo

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.8(31 reviews)

“We had a comprehensive tour of Hilldale earlier this week, as we begin to explore our options for future needs, and were very impressed by the home and its...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

An independent living retirement residence in Thunder Bay, Ontario, located in a scenic country setting with Finnish-inspired… Read more

Chartwell Hollandview Trail Retirement Community

200 John West Way, Aurora, ON L4G 0E4, Canada

Starting at

From $5,300/mo

Chartwell Hollandview Trail Retirement Community

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.8(92 reviews)

“I’ve had the chance to work with Judy Batten and the team at Chartwell Hollandview Trail, and I’ve been consistently impressed. Everyone I’ve interacted with...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

An established independent living and assisted living retirement residence in Aurora's Bayview-Wellington… Read more

Chartwell Jackson Creek Retirement Residence

481 Reid St, Peterborough, ON K9H 7R9, Canada

Starting at

From $4,110/mo

Chartwell Jackson Creek Retirement Residence

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.8(31 reviews)

“I just wanted to say that Jackson Creek Retirement Residence is an absolutely beautiful retirement home if your looking for a place for your loved one I highly...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

A retirement residence in Peterborough located beside a peaceful creek, offering independent living, assisted living,… Read more

Chartwell Lakeshore Retirement Residence

5314 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, ON L7L 6L8, Canada

Starting at

From $4,969/mo

Chartwell Lakeshore Retirement Residence

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.8(74 reviews)

“On behalf of my Bid Euchre PROBUS card group, thank you sincerely for your generosity in providing us with a complimentary playing room each month. Your...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

A newly renovated retirement residence in Burlington, Ontario, located directly along Lake Ontario. It offers independent… Read more

Chartwell Meadowbrook Retirement Community

18 Jacobson Dr, Lively, ON P3Y 0B7, Canada, Sudbury, Ontario

Starting at

From $3,370/mo

Chartwell Meadowbrook Retirement Community

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.9(200 reviews)

“My mother-in-law stayed at meadowbrook for some time, and our experience was really positive. From the first visit, the staff were welcoming and easy to talk...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Assisted Living, Independent Living

A resort-style retirement community in Lively, Greater Sudbury, offering independent living suites, seniors' apartments, and… Read more

Chartwell Oak Park Terrace Retirement Residence

1750 N Service Rd, Windsor, ON N8W 1Y3, Canada

Starting at

From $5,087/mo

Chartwell Oak Park Terrace Retirement Residence

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.7(89 reviews)

“My dad lived at Oak Park Terrace for 5 years. He was extremely resistant to move there. It took him less than a week to settle in, be comfortable and now...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

A bungalow-style retirement residence in South Windsor offering independent living with personalized care services. The… Read more

Chartwell Pickering City Centre Retirement Residence

1801 Valley Farm Rd, Pickering, ON L1V 0A5, Canada

Starting at

$4,556–$4,556/mo

Chartwell Pickering City Centre Retirement Residence

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.8(52 reviews)

“I’ve been a resident at Chartwell Pickering City Centre nearly two years—this August will mark that milestone—and my experience has been very positive. One of...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

An established retirement residence in downtown Pickering offering independent living with flexible care support.… Read more

Chartwell Queen's Square Retirement Residence

10 Melville St N, Cambridge, ON N1S 1H5, Canada

Starting at

From $3,591/mo

Chartwell Queen's Square Retirement Residence

71/ 100

Good confidence

4.9(111 reviews)

“My Mom is staying at Queen’s Square. Located in the historic picturesque downtown of (Galt) Cambridge. It is lovely, smaller retirement community, beautiful...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

A boutique-style retirement residence in downtown Cambridge offering independent living with flexible care support… Read more

Chartwell Regency Retirement Residence

29 Mississauga Rd N, Mississauga, ON L5H 2H7, Canada

Starting at

From $3,576/mo

71/ 100

Good confidence

5.0(84 reviews)

“Our mother recently moved to Chartwell Regency, and we could not be happier with our decision. She transitioned here from a much more expensive, full-service...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

A boutique-style retirement residence in Port Credit, Mississauga, offering independent living with optional care support in… Read more

Find Assisted Living Near You

Compare assisted living by city

Assisted Living: frequently asked questions

How much does assisted living cost in Canada?: Most of the market is private-pay, and the monthly cost is driven by the city, the suite, and the assessed care level rather than a flat rate. Ask for an itemized fee schedule, and see our cost guide for typical ranges.
What is the difference between assisted living and a retirement home?: The line is care intensity. Retirement homes suit fairly independent seniors who want support on hand; assisted living is for those who need regular, hands-on help with daily tasks. Many communities offer both under one roof.
Is assisted living covered by the government?: It varies by province. Some subsidize assisted living through the regional health authority based on assessed need and income, but much of the market is private-pay. Long-term care is the publicly funded option for heavy nursing needs.
When is it time for assisted living?: Common signs are missed medications, trouble with bathing or dressing, weight loss from skipped meals, or unsafe moments alone. If daily tasks are slipping and home care is no longer enough, it is worth touring a few communities.

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