Get Pricing & Availability for Assisted Living in Birmingham, AL
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Page Reviewed / Updated – July 7, 2022

The historic Alabama city of Birmingham presents a financially sound option for seniors considering a move to the Deep South. With several financial categories taken into consideration, Birmingham’s cost of living is 26% below the national average, making it quite appealing to elderly citizens. The city’s housing costs, reported as being 72% below the U.S. average, are among the lowest in the nation.
Sales taxes and income taxes are slightly elevated over national norms, with Birmingham having a sales tax rate of 10% compared to the U.S. average of 7.3% and an income tax of 6% against the national median of 4.6%. On the other hand, the monthly cost of assisted living in Birmingham, $4,028, is 10.5% lower than the U.S. average.
Read on for an overview of assisted living prices in Birmingham’s neighboring cities, a look at the local prices of other types of long-term care, and a list of Birmingham-area resources that provide supports to its older population.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Birmingham, AL
Insurance company Genworth Financial reports the cost of assisted living care in Birmingham to be $4,028 a month.
While that number is appreciably lower than the national average of $4,500, it makes Birmingham one of the more expensive cities in Alabama for assisted living care; the state average is nearly $1,000 lower at $3,053. That median is brought down by the southeastern city of Dothan, where costs are just $2,150 a month. Mobile, at $3,523, and Decatur, at $3,439, also carry cheaper costs than Birmingham. Alabama prices peak in Anniston, where seniors pay $4,771 for a month of assisted living care.
- Birmingham: $4,028
- Alabama: $3,053
- United States: $4,500
- Mobile: $3,523
- Decatur: $3,439
- Dothan: $2,150
- Anniston: $4,771
The Cost of Other Types of Care in Birmingham, AL
Birmingham’s relatively low cost of long-term care is reflected in the monthly price for adult day health care at $867. Seniors who prefer the supports of home-based services pay $4,242 a month for in-home care or $4,338 a month for some medical assistance with home health care, making both slightly more expensive than assisted living care. The most expensive options are nursing homes. A semiprivate room in such a community sets residents back $6,768 per month, while a private room carries average costs of $7,118 a month.
- In-Home Care: $4,242
- Home Health Care: $4,338
- Adult Day Health Care: $867
- Assisted Living Facility: $4,028
- Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room): $6,768
- Nursing Home Facility (private room): $7,118
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Birmingham, AL

Other Ways To Pay for Assisted Living in Birmingham, AL
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
- Veterans Benefits
- Life Insurance Policy
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Reverse Mortgage
For additional information and planning, read our comprehensive guide to paying for senior care in Alabama.
Free Resources for Seniors in Birmingham, AL
These Birmingham-area supportive resources can assist seniors in locating low-cost or free options for legal representation, transportation, exercise, continuing education and more.
Resource |
Contact |
Service |
Legal Counsel for the Elderly | (800) 243-5463 | Seniors aged 60 and up are eligible for some free legal assistance. Counseling, negotiation, advocacy, and appeals are among the services provided by the organization’s attorney, who can assist seniors in drafting wills, obtaining SSI payments and other government benefits, researching health insurance options, and resolving disputes with long-term care facilities, such as assisted living homes. |
Travelers Aid Birmingham Senior Ride Program | (205) 322-5426 | Seniors who meet the income requirements for this senior ride program can access free rides to medical appointments. It works with third-party transportation providers by coordinating pickups and drop-offs and paying passenger fares for participating seniors. |
Irondale Senior Activity Center |
(205) 951-1418 |
This popular gathering place for older adults in a northeast Birmingham suburb offers a variety of social activities, including spiritual options such as Bible study, creative pursuits such as knitting circles and ceramics practice, and friendly competition through bunco, dominoes, and other table games. Seniors can also stay in shape through the center’s exercise room and fitness classes. |
United Way Area Agency on Aging of Jefferson County |
(205) 458-3330 |
This agency helps direct seniors to the many city, county and state-level programs designed to support Birmingham’s older population. Its Long Term Care Ombudsman program can assist seniors in better understanding their rights in assisted living facilities and in filing complaints about the quality of care. The Senior Nutrition Program connects participants with registered nutritionists that can help them better understand the effect of their diets on their health. |
Senior Adult Scholarship Program |
(256) 890-4700 |
Alabama allows seniors over age 60 to take tuition-free classes at two-year colleges throughout the state. There is no central contact point for the program. To apply, seniors can get in touch with the financial aid office of participating institutions. |
Rules and Regulations for Assisted Living Facilities in Birmingham, AL
Assisted Living Communities in Birmingham are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined by the state. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
