Sacramento, California, is known as America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital and the City of Trees. The state capital is a wonderful place to enjoy a fulfilling yet laid-back retirement, as it’s known for expansive public parks, farmers markets, museums, and its lively art and music scene. Of course, Sacramento also has plenty of wineries and breweries to be enjoyed with family, friends, and your new neighbors.
Senior apartments are rental communities exclusively for seniors ages 55 years and older. Sacramento offers a variety of desirable senior apartments that accommodate a range of budgets and lifestyles. From renting in the heart of the capital to choosing a quaint community in the surrounding suburbs, you can find a new lifestyle that fits. If you or a loved one are in need of senior housing in addition to care services that senior apartments don’t provide, consider looking into Sacramento’s assisted living communities.
Find everything you need to know about Sacramento senior apartments in this all-inclusive guide. Our partner listings within a 10-mile radius of the Sacramento city center and details on popular suburbs farther out paint a helpful picture of Sacramento senior living scene. The guide also includes Sacramento senior apartment costs, payment tips, senior resources, and an in-depth overview of what your Sacramento retirement could be like.
Nice apartment with balcony. Lots of activities on site and off. Bus to stores and shopping. Cool off site adventures. Nice people to work with. Free coffee and pastries, continental breakfasts. Happy...
The staff have no interest in my family. To me, living here is like living in an apartment building. There is no housekeeping available for the residents, only for hallways and public rooms. There are no...
At Emerson Place Apartments the staff is very friendly. The grounds are well maintained. I've only been here a month but so far so good.
I lived at Vintage Glen 10 years, the time was amazing. The last 6 years our manager, [name removed] did a fantastic job. She is always here for the residents, and has done so much to upgrade us. The...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Sacramento community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
Between 2022 and 2023, the average cost that renters paid for our network’s Sacramento senior apartments was $2,004 per month. This number from A Place for Mom’s proprietary data includes rent, fees, and add-ons like pet rent. It’s important to note that some Sacramento senior apartments may have additional fees, so it’s worth looking into the possibility with your prospective apartment complex.
The monthly cost of your senior apartment in Sacramento may include or be impacted by the following:
You can also find the starting costs for Sacramento senior apartments reflected in the numbers below. Please note that starting costs don’t necessarily include add-ons like on-site services and pet rent. These figures are helpful to compare baseline costs locally.
You may be able to combine your personal finances with certain state and federal benefits to cover rent in a senior apartment. For instance, veterans benefits and public housing assistance may apply to you. However, please note that Medi-Cal, Medicare, and long-term care insurance don’t cover the costs of senior apartments since these communities don’t provide care services. Instead, these programs help seniors pay for in-home health care services.
Below, you can find private pay, veterans benefits, housing assistance, and both Medi-Cal and Medicare information for seniors.
Your sources of personal income, like savings accounts, investment returns, pensions, and Social Security benefits may be used to pay for rent in a senior apartment. In addition, any of the following methods may be used:
Sacramento veterans age 65 and older or their surviving spouses can access several veteran-specific benefits. California’s veteran services program, called CalVet, helps qualifying senior veterans and their surviving spouses enroll in a Veterans Benefit Enhancement program (or VBE). This program helps seniors switch from Medi-Cal to VA health care. Switching to VA health care allows seniors with disabilities to access more VA assistance benefits.
The VA Aid and Attendance benefit, for example, provides eligible senior veterans with monthly payments on top of a pension that can be used to pay for rent at a senior apartment. You must already have a family caregiver or live in a nursing home and meet other specific requirements to receive this benefit.
Applying is complex, and though you may qualify, without proper advocacy, your claim may be denied. It’s important to undergo benefits counseling with a Veteran Service Officer in your area before beginning the application process. Though the process is complicated, the benefits can really pay off.
To get help with the long and difficult application process, check out the resources below. The county’s Department of Human Assistance Veterans Services can provide assistance with your benefit applications. You can receive help from local Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs). Sacramento also has its own Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) chapters. These groups also offer VSOs and benefit advocacy and may even be able to help appeal denied claims with legal advocacy.
Approximate number of veterans living in Sacramento
About 63% of veterans living in Sacramento are age 55+.
Resources for Sacramento veterans
Department of Human Assistance Veterans Services
3970 Research Dr.
Sacramento, CA 95838
Phone: 916-874-6811
Hours: Sunday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.; 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Sacramento Vet Center
1111 Howe Ave., Suite 390
Sacramento, CA 95825
Phone: 916-566-7430
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
A Place for Mom Veterans Benefits Guide
Read or download A Place for Mom Veterans Benefits Guide PDF.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV): Sacramento Chapter 6
4404 Fruitridge Rd.
Sacramento, CA 95824
Phone: 916-429-1663
Meets on the second Saturday of each month at 11 a.m.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): Post 67
2784 Stockton Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95817
Phone: 916-453-9209
Meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m.
California’s Medicaid program, called Medi-Cal, will not cover rent at a senior apartment. But if you have low-income status, you may be able to use Medi-Cal to pay for necessary health care services, such as in-home health care in your senior apartment. You may also be able to access California’s In-Home Support Services program, which may cover some of the costs of in-home care. You must meet all requirements and be eligible for Medi-Cal to access this program.
Low-income seniors also find California’s health care portal, Covered California, to be a helpful resource. This health care portal can help you access Medi-Cal in addition to low-cost, full coverage health care plans if you qualify. The Covered California application is the same as the Medi-Cal application, which may make the process more convenient for you.
You can contact a variety of local organizations for assistance with your Medi-Cal application. California’s Medi-Cal Rx Customer Service Center and Sacramento’s Area 4 Agency on Aging are wonderful resources to get you started. You can also reach out to the county’s long-term care ombudsperson or review the state’s comprehensive guide, called My Medi-Cal.
Sacramento resident Medicaid resources
Medi-Cal Rx Member Helpline
Phone: 800-977-2273
Hours: 24/7, including holidays
Sacramento County long-term care ombudsperson
9570 Business Park Dr., Suite 220
Sacramento, CA 95827
Phone: 916-875-2000
Sacramento Area 4 Agency on Aging
1401 El Camino Ave., 4th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95815
Phone: 916-486-1876
Apply through Covered California.
2631 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90006
Phone: 800-650-0922
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that may cover medical costs like medically necessary in-home health care. Review each part of Medicare below to see what may be covered:
Medicare will not cover the cost of rent in a senior apartment, but Medicare Savings Programs are available to seniors in California who are enrolled in Medicare and meet low-income requirements. These programs may cover part of your Medicare premium.
You can apply for Medicare Savings Programs online through BenefitsCal and see which of California’s four Medicare Savings Programs best fit your needs. Each of the different options may cover portions of Medicare Part A, B, D, or a combination of parts.
For assistance with your application process, we recommend first reaching out to the local Social Security Administration office. You can also access the county’s long-term care ombudsperson or enroll in a local Medicare Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) to fully understand and access your benefits. Or, you can use 211 Sacramento and Sacramento’s Area 4 Agency on Aging to learn more about local senior services.
Sacramento resident Medicare resources
Sacramento Office — Social Security Administration40 Massie Cir.
Sacramento, CA 95823
Phone: 866-708-3208
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sacramento County long-term care ombudsperson9570 Business Park Dr., Suite 220
Sacramento, CA 95827
Phone: 916-875-2000
Medicare Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
505 12th St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-376-8915
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
211 Sacramento — local services guide
Phone: 2-1-1
Sacramento Area 4 Agency on Aging
1401 El Camino Ave., 4th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95815
Phone: 916-486-1876
You can contact your local U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (or HUD) office to see if you qualify for rental assistance. HUD works with some local senior apartments to enable seniors to rent apartments at lower rates. Applying for HUD housing choice vouchers (formerly Section 8) can help you find affordable apartments that meet all safety and health standards. Once you confirm that the senior apartment you’d like to rent accepts HUD housing choice vouchers, contact a local public housing agency (or PHA) to apply for a housing choice voucher.
Social Security benefits may also be used to offset your costs of living. These income sources can be used to cover rent in a senior apartment. Review the different Social Security benefits below to see if they may apply to your situation:
HUD and the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) have resources available to assist you with public housing information and applications. Or, click on one of the Social Security benefit links below to start the application process.
Sacramento resident public assistance resources
HUD housing counseling
2411 Alhambra Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95817
Phone: 916-452-5356
Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA)
630 I St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-440-1390
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Make a confident choice as a renter by taking time to understand how laws govern Sacramento senior apartments. In this section, we outline your rights as a renter and standards for apartment quality. We also recommend looking at the California Tenants Guide from the California State Department of Real Estate (DRE), which is a complete guide to all of the laws associated with renting in California.
Just like in standard apartments, local and federal laws apply to landlords and senior apartment renters in Sacramento. The difference with senior apartments is that at least one person living in the unit must be at least 55 years old.
As a renter, the following also apply:
Sacramento County’s Rental Housing Inspection Program (RHIP) inspects each residential rental property in the area, including senior apartments. In addition, each senior apartment is required to register with RHIP.[08] As rental properties, Sacramento senior apartments are required to have the following facilities and utilities:
Seniors with disabilities have additional rights when renting senior apartments. These protections under the law include but are not limited to the following rights:
Included as a reasonable apartment accommodation is the ability for tenants to have a service animal. Service animals are trained to help people in different ways, including physical and emotional support. The following information may help seniors who plan to live with a service animal in their senior apartment:
Sacramento doesn’t currently have a mask mandate in place. However, they do have guidelines for isolation and quarantine in Sacramento County’s COVID Guidance PDF to prevent the spread. Check for updated guidelines on Sacramento County’s website. The current guidelines for public spaces include the following:
Vaccinations. Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines is strongly recommended.
Masking. Sacramento County recommends wearing a mask for 10 days if you test positive for or have been exposed to COVID-19.
Quarantining. Sacramento County recommends staying home for at least five days if you test positive for COVID-19, regardless of your vaccination status. You must also stay home for five days if you come into contact with someone with the virus.
You’ll find a mix of high-end and affordable senior apartments in Sacramento, all designed exclusively for seniors at least 55 years of age. Whether you prefer studio apartments in high-rise complexes or garden-style apartments, you can choose between a range of apartment styles and find the right fit for you. Or, you can venture a little farther away from the Sacramento city center to experience a slower-paced suburban retirement experience with desirable senior apartment amenities.
You’ll find several residential senior apartment options designed with affordability in mind throughout Sacramento. Though not always our partners, some senior apartments in Sacramento participate in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program subsidizing senior housing. These apartments may have smaller floor plans, like studio and one-bedroom layouts, but they include desirable amenities and appliances. Features like community rooms, fitness centers, full kitchens, and on-site laundry facilities are common.
Some of these affordable communities also organize community events and social activities to keep residents engaged with their neighbors. Birthday celebrations, movie nights in the cozy theater room, and community meals in a fully equipped clubhouse are some ways that Sacramento senior apartments help maintain a spirited, social lifestyle.
In several Sacramento senior apartments, you’ll find convenient and enjoyable on-site features. Choose an apartment with a private balcony or patio to enjoy a warm Sacramento summer evening without leaving the comforts of your home. Or, take advantage of your on-site laundry room and the convenience of an on-site business center.
You can also easily find pet-friendly senior apartments in Sacramento, some with spacious landscaping to accommodate you and your furry companion. If large swimming pools and hot tubs are on your must-have list, rest assured that you can find local offerings with Jacuzzi spas and Mediterranean-style pools. Several senior apartments also have business centers for your convenience. Or, you can choose from communities with fun outdoor features like bocce ball courts, tennis courts, or community gardens.
Suburbs such as Elk Grove, Fair Oaks, and Citrus Heights are desirable senior apartment destinations just outside the Sacramento city center. Some of these suburbs also have lower rental rates than in the heart of Sacramento. For example, Carmichael senior apartments cost 22% less than the offerings in the Sacramento city center. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option outside of our 10-mile listings radius, A Place for Mom’s in-network senior apartments in the nearby city of Woodland cost 32% less on average than apartments you’ll find in Sacramento.
As a more affordable suburb of Sacramento, Carmichael is growing in popularity. You can experience a quiet suburban lifestyle in addition to nearby farmers markets, nature centers, and botanical gardens. Suburbs like Elk Grove and Fair Oaks lie just a couple miles outside of our 10-mile listings radius, and they’re also starting to become more popular with seniors. You can enjoy the comforts of a senior apartment complex with everything you’d find in the heart of the city while living a relaxed lifestyle out in a suburban neighborhood.
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This is the approximate number of seniors age 55+ living in Sacramento.
About 26% of the Sacramento population are seniors age 55+.
About 23% of Sacramento seniors over the age of 65 have a disability.
Below are the top three hospitals in Sacramento. Seniors can find options nationally and locally ranked for geriatric care and other adult procedures.
UC Davis Medical Center is the No. 1 hospital in Sacramento. It’s a teaching hospital that’s nationally ranked for cancer surgery, cardiology, diabetes care, and geriatrics.
Mercy General Hospital is the No. 2 hospital in Sacramento. This surgical and general care facility is known locally for neurology, geriatrics, and treating patients who suffered a stroke.
Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center is the No. 3 hospital in Sacramento. It provides both general and surgical care, and it’s known for its high ratings in areas of adult care such as orthopedics, geriatrics, and kidney failure procedures.
Most people get around Sacramento via their own car or a rideshare service. Some areas like downtown are partially walkable, but the bike paths and level terrain make biking one of the more accessible modes of transportation in this city. Sacramento even has a bike parking map to help you plan ahead.
The Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) is another option for seniors and their loved ones. The bus routes and light rail lines are all accessible for seniors and people with disabilities. For instance, all but the 12th and I inbound light rail station have lifts or ramps to help people who have mobility devices. Light rail stations also use Braille signage, door indicators, and warning tiles to assist people who are visually impaired.
SacRT Go Paratransit Services make the city’s public transportation accessible to seniors and people with disabilities. Travel can be scheduled up to two days in advance, and the service gives priority seating. All of SacRT’s buses have ramps and the ability to lower, and there’s room to accommodate individuals’ mobility devices.
You’ll find Sacramento’s transit scores from WalkScore below. They rank cities from zero to 100 based on how accessible each mode of transportation in a given city and how easy it is to use. Higher scores indicate the best transportation options in Sacramento.
Between Sacramento’s ideal weather and its close proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe, there is an abundance of area activity options for a variety of interests. From indoor to outdoor activities, local seniors never run out of things to do. Whether you’re looking for an adventure or a laid-back experience, Sacramento has it all. From wine tastings and performing arts theaters to live music venues and pristine golf courses, you can achieve your ideal California retirement.
Add a little touch of tourism by exploring these must-see Sacramento spots:
Both leisurely and active lifestyles are accommodated by Sacramento’s picturesque outdoor nature reserves, especially along the Sacramento and American rivers. In addition, all public parks in Sacramento County have modifications in place for people with disabilities:
Attend theatrical productions, dress up for the symphony, or see your favorite band. As a stop on most every entertainer’s tour, Sacramento events have it all. Basketball and baseball games are another favored form of entertainment for locals.
Check out some entertainment hot spots in Sacramento:
Begin your Sacramento retirement at a gentler pace by enjoying these engaging yet relaxed activities:
Revel Folsom, Carefree North Natomas and Acacia Glen Senior Apartments are the top-rated Senior Apartments facilities near Sacramento, CA. These Senior Apartments facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Senior Apartments in Sacramento is $1,416 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Sex by age by veteran status for the civilian population 18 years and over (B21001) [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. What’s Medicare? Medicare.gov.
Intergenerational Housing for Senior Citizens, California Civil Code § 51.3.5 (1988 & rev. 2017).
Tenant Protection Act of 2019, A.B. 1482, Chapter 597 (2019).
Sacramento County Code Enforcement. (2023). Rental housing inspection program.
County of Sacramento. (September 2022). Rental housing inspection program: Exterior inspection.
County of Sacramento. (September 2022). Rental housing inspection program: Interior inspection.
California Department of Justice. (2003, November). Legal rights of persons with disabilities, 4th edition.
ADA Solutions. (2022). California ADA requirements. SureWerx.
Disability Rights California. (2022, December 1). Fact sheet: Rights to assistance animals in housing.
Sacramento County Public Health. (9 March, 2022). Updated Sacramento County COVID-19 isolation and quarantine guidance for the general public.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and sex (S0101) [Data set]. American Community Survey.
United State Census Bureau. (2021). Sex by age by disability status (B18101) [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. World and News Report. (2022). Best hospitals in Sacramento, California.
Walkscore. (2022). Living in Sacramento.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Sex by age by veteran status for the civilian population 18 years and over (B21001) [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. What’s Medicare? Medicare.gov.
Intergenerational Housing for Senior Citizens, California Civil Code § 51.3.5 (1988 & rev. 2017).
Tenant Protection Act of 2019, A.B. 1482, Chapter 597 (2019).
Sacramento County Code Enforcement. (2023). Rental housing inspection program.
County of Sacramento. (September 2022). Rental housing inspection program: Exterior inspection.
County of Sacramento. (September 2022). Rental housing inspection program: Interior inspection.
California Department of Justice. (2003, November). Legal rights of persons with disabilities, 4th edition.
ADA Solutions. (2022). California ADA requirements. SureWerx.
Disability Rights California. (2022, December 1). Fact sheet: Rights to assistance animals in housing.
Sacramento County Public Health. (9 March, 2022). Updated Sacramento County COVID-19 isolation and quarantine guidance for the general public.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and sex (S0101) [Data set]. American Community Survey.
United State Census Bureau. (2021). Sex by age by disability status (B18101) [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. World and News Report. (2022). Best hospitals in Sacramento, California.
Walkscore. (2022). Living in Sacramento.