Texas · 13 cities · Updated 2026
Assisted Living in Texas
Texas is one of the largest senior care markets in the US — 4.2 million residents aged 65+ and growing fast. Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin offer hundreds of licensed assisted living and memory care communities across a wide price range. Texas is an income-cap Medicaid state: applicants with income above $2,901/month require a Miller Trust (Qualified Income Trust) to qualify for STAR+PLUS long-term care services.
- No state income tax — lower cost-of-living for retirees
- STAR+PLUS HCBS waiver covers care services in AL for eligible residents
- Income-cap Medicaid state — Miller Trust required if income > $2,901/mo
- Largest AL market in the South; strong memory care supply in DFW and Houston
- CLASS waiver for Texans with functional limitations who prefer staying home
Assisted Living by City in Texas
Houston
From $4,200/mo · 180 communities
Dallas
From $4,500/mo · 150 communities
San Antonio
From $3,800/mo · 110 communities
Austin
From $4,300/mo · 95 communities
Fort Worth
From $3,900/mo · 68 communities
Arlington
From $4,000/mo · 42 communities
Plano
From $4,400/mo · 48 communities
El Paso
From $3,600/mo · 42 communities
Corpus Christi
From $3,700/mo · 38 communities
Laredo
From $3,400/mo · 28 communities
Lubbock
From $3,500/mo · 26 communities
McAllen
From $3,600/mo · 30 communities
Amarillo
From $3,400/mo · 22 communities
Paying for Assisted Living in Texas
Most families pay privately. Medicaid waivers, VA benefits, and long-term care insurance can reduce out-of-pocket costs significantly.
- Income limit (individual)
- $2,829/mo
- Asset limit (individual)
- $2,000
Powers of attorney, Medicaid trusts, and advance directives protect your family before a care crisis.
VA Aid & Attendance can offset up to $2,431/month of care costs for wartime veterans and surviving spouses.
VA Benefits CalculatorOur free 5-question care assessment gives a personalized recommendation in under 2 minutes.
Take Free Care AssessmentTexas Assisted Living FAQs
How much does assisted living cost in Texas?▾
Texas assisted living averages $4,100/month statewide (2026). The Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin metros typically range $4,400–$5,000/month; Houston averages $4,000–$4,600; smaller metros like Amarillo, Lubbock, and El Paso often run $3,000–$3,600/month. Memory care adds a 25–35% premium — approximately $5,000–$6,200/month in major metros.
Does Texas Medicaid cover assisted living?▾
The STAR+PLUS Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver covers care services (personal attendant, nursing, therapies) in licensed residential settings for eligible residents. Medicaid does not pay for room and board. Residents must be financially eligible: individual income below $2,901/month (or have a Miller Trust), assets below $2,000. Texas DADS maintains a waitlist for STAR+PLUS HCBS — apply early.
What is a Miller Trust in Texas?▾
Texas is an income-cap Medicaid state. If a Medicaid applicant's gross monthly income exceeds $2,901 (300% of SSI FBR), they cannot qualify for STAR+PLUS long-term services without first establishing a Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust). All income deposited into the trust is effectively excluded from the Medicaid income calculation. An elder law attorney should set up the trust — it must be properly drafted to meet Texas requirements.
How do I find assisted living in Texas?▾
Browse our city guides below or use the free care matcher with your parent's zip code. We cover 13 major metros in Texas with costs, FAQs, and local matching.
What is the average assisted living cost in Texas?▾
Texas averages approximately $4,100/month for assisted living and $5,300/month for memory care. Urban metros typically cost more than rural areas.
Sources & methodology
Cost estimates, demographics, and safety data are compiled from government sources. Verify current figures with official portals before making care decisions.