Senior Living · Central Florida · 2026
Best Assisted Living & Nursing Homes Near Orlando
A county-by-county guide to the top rated assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing facilities across Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, Polk, and Volusia counties — with cost data, facility ratings, and an infographic for every county.
How to use this guide
The right county changes everything.
Most families search for "assisted living near me" and end up comparing facilities in a single zip code. But a 30-minute drive across a county line can mean a $1,000/month difference in cost — with no meaningful difference in care quality. This guide covers the six primary counties surrounding Orlando so you can make a truly informed decision, not just a convenient one.
Infographic key:
ALMCILCCRCSNF| County | Licensed ALFs | Avg. Monthly Cost | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange County | 102 | ~$5,075 | ||
| Seminole County | 42 | ~$4,244 | ||
| Osceola County | 29 | ~$4,056 | ||
| Lake County | 49 | ~$4,200 | ||
| Polk County | 80 | ~$3,704 | ||
| Volusia County | 90 | ~$3,648 | ||
| Source: Florida Senior Consulting, A Place for Mom, SeniorHomes.com, Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2026. ALF = Assisted Living Facility. | ||||
County 1 of 6
Orange County
Orange County is the epicenter of Central Florida senior living — more than 100 licensed assisted living facilities, the highest concentration of 5-star nursing homes, and direct access to Orlando Health, AdventHealth, and Nemours. It's the most medically supported market in the region, with a premium price tag to match.
Market context
Orange County's breadth of options is unmatched — from $3,300/month independent living to $10,000/month private-pay skilled nursing. Costs run above the state average, but the concentration of 5-star facilities and Life Care CCRCs justifies the premium for families who want maximum options and medical coverage.
Central Florida Senior Living Guide · 2026
Orange County
Orlando · Winter Park · Dr. Phillips · Windermere · Apopka
102
Licensed ALFs
Monthly Cost Range
$4,925 – $5,225
per month (2026)
vs. FL State Average
↑ Above average
FL avg: $4,624/mo
Avg. Monthly Cost vs. FL Average ($4,624/mo)
Top Communities
- Westminster of Winter ParkCCRCILALMCSNFWinter Park
Florida's flagship CCRC; Rollins College wellness partnership; lakeside campus; Life Care contract protects against future cost increases.
- Brookdale Dr. PhillipsCCRCILALMCDr. Phillips, Orlando
Resort-style amenities near Restaurant Row; 24/7 care team; steps from the Sand Lake medical corridor.
- Sonata WindermereALMCWindermere
Lakefront luxury in one of Orlando's most affluent zip codes; cutting-edge safety technology; targets high-net-worth retirees.
- Spring Hills Hunters CreekALMCSNFOrlando
AHCA zero-deficiency award; farm-to-table dining; full continuum — assisted living through skilled nursing — on one campus.
- Conway Lakes Health & Rehab★★★★★SNFOrlando
CMS 5-Star rated — one of the few 5-star skilled nursing facilities in the county.
Best For
Medical access · Luxury memory care · CCRCs · Widest selection in Central Florida
County 2 of 6
Seminole County
Seminole County delivers comparable quality to Orange County at roughly $700–$900 less per month — a meaningful gap for families budgeting multi-year care. Three major hospital systems run through the Altamonte Springs and Lake Mary corridor, making medical transitions seamless.
Market context
Seminole is the smart money move for families who want Orange County quality without the Orange County price tag. The county's position between three hospital systems — AdventHealth, Orlando Health, and HCA — makes it ideal for seniors with ongoing medical needs who want easy access to specialists.
Central Florida Senior Living Guide · 2026
Seminole County
Lake Mary · Altamonte Springs · Longwood · Sanford · Oviedo
42
Licensed ALFs
Monthly Cost Range
$3,500 – $5,500
per month (2026)
vs. FL State Average
↓ Below average
FL avg: $4,624/mo
Avg. Monthly Cost vs. FL Average ($4,624/mo)
Top Communities
- Grand Living at Park Lake MaryILALMCLake Mary
Among the newest and most upscale communities in the county; daily happy hour; extensive wellness programs for active, high-income retirees.
- Oakmonte Village at Lake MaryILALMCLake Mary
25-acre tree-lined campus; full resort amenities; one of the county's largest and most comprehensive senior communities.
- Brookdale Lake OrientaILALMCAltamonte Springs
Lakefront setting with outdoor pool; consistently rated above 8/10 by resident families on independent review platforms.
- Serenades at LongwoodMCLongwood
Award-winning memory care specialist; exclusive all-female neighborhood available; adjacent to AdventHealth South Seminole.
- Vitality Living Lake ForestALMCSanford
8-acre campus covering northern Seminole County; chef-prepared meals; serves the growing Sanford/Lake Mary corridor.
Best For
Hospital proximity · Value vs. Orange County · Mid-market quality
County 3 of 6
Osceola County
Osceola has the smallest inventory of the six counties — only 29 licensed ALFs for a rapidly growing population — but compensates with options that don't exist anywhere else in Florida, including a 425-acre gated senior campus with its own marina, golf course, and on-site supermarket.
Market context
Osceola is the most affordable county in this group, with some options starting below $1,400/month. The Solivita active-adult community — one of Florida's largest — is aging into assisted living, creating significant future demand in an already undersupplied market. Supply is the story here: 29 facilities for a county that grew faster than any other in Central Florida over the last decade.
Central Florida Senior Living Guide · 2026
Osceola County
Kissimmee · St. Cloud · Celebration · Hunters Creek · Narcoossee
29
Licensed ALFs
Monthly Cost Range
$1,350 – $5,000
per month (2026)
vs. FL State Average
↓ Below average
FL avg: $4,624/mo
Avg. Monthly Cost vs. FL Average ($4,624/mo)
Top Communities
- Good Samaritan Society Kissimmee VillageILALMCSNFKissimmee
Extraordinary 425-acre gated campus on Shingle Creek; marina slips, golf course, on-site supermarket, church, nine housing types including manufactured homes — genuinely unique in Florida.
- Windsor at CelebrationILALMCCelebration
Inside Disney's master-planned Celebration; no entrance fees; resort amenities; minutes from AdventHealth Celebration Hospital.
- Merrill Gardens at Solivita MarketplaceILALMCKissimmee
Natural next step for residents of Solivita's 10,000+ active-adult community; Tuscan-style architecture; restaurant dining.
- Providence Living at Hunters CreekALMCKissimmee
Boutique care in the upscale Hunters Creek planned development; strong family-centered approach.
- Benton House of NarcoosseeALMCSt. Cloud
Serves the fast-growing St. Cloud/Narcoossee corridor; vibrant activity calendar; covers eastern Osceola where options are otherwise sparse.
Best For
Affordability · Unique campus living · Solivita transition · Disney-area location
County 4 of 6
Lake County
Lake County is Florida's senior living sweet spot — the widest cost range of any county in this guide, from a $2,080/month Life Care CCRC to a $5,595/month boutique luxury community, all within 15 miles of each other. The natural scenery — dozens of lakes, Mount Dora's historic downtown — makes it one of the most desirable retirement settings in the state.
Market context
Lake County's biggest differentiator is range. It's the only county where a financially conservative family can access a $2,080/month Life Care CCRC (Lake Port Square) and a luxury boutique community (Watercrest at $5,595/month) within easy driving distance of each other. Clermont's explosive growth is creating acute demand for new senior supply in western Lake County.
Central Florida Senior Living Guide · 2026
Lake County
Lady Lake · Leesburg · Clermont · Eustis · Mount Dora
49
Licensed ALFs
Monthly Cost Range
$2,080 – $5,595
per month (2026)
vs. FL State Average
↓ Below average
FL avg: $4,624/mo
Avg. Monthly Cost vs. FL Average ($4,624/mo)
Top Communities
- Lake Port Square★★★★★CCRCILALSNFLeesburg
78-acre estate campus; Life Care contract protects against future care cost increases — one of the best CCRC values in Florida; US News rated.
- Freedom Pointe at The VillagesCCRCILALMCSNFLady Lake
The premier CCRC serving The Villages; full continuum from independent living to skilled nursing; entrance fees from $261,500.
- HarborChase of Villages CrossingALMCLady Lake
91,000 sq ft of common space; resort-style amenities calibrated to the expectations of Villages retirees.
- Watercrest Spanish SpringsALMCLady Lake
Luxury finishes starting at $5,595/month all-in; purpose-built for the high-income Villages demographic.
- Regency Park at EustisALMCEustis
Located directly across from AdventHealth Waterman Hospital — unmatched medical proximity for the mid-county corridor.
Best For
Life Care CCRCs · The Villages adjacent · Widest affordability range · Lakeside scenery
County 5 of 6
Polk County
Polk County is Central Florida's affordability leader — the largest share of budget-friendly residential ALFs starting below $3,000/month in the region, plus resort-style developments along I-4 that rival Orange County amenities at a $1,000+/month discount. Tampa access (45 minutes) extends the medical network significantly.
Market context
Polk County has the most affordable assisted living cost structure of the six counties. Lakeland's downtown revival and lake-district walkability are drawing retirement-age downsizers for the first time, creating demand for urban-adjacent senior options. Watson Clinic and Lakeland Regional Health anchor local medical care, with H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center 45 minutes west.
Central Florida Senior Living Guide · 2026
Polk County
Lakeland · Winter Haven · ChampionsGate · Bartow · Haines City
80
Licensed ALFs
Monthly Cost Range
$2,808 – $5,000
per month (2026)
vs. FL State Average
↓ Below average
FL avg: $4,624/mo
Avg. Monthly Cost vs. FL Average ($4,624/mo)
Top Communities
- The Glades at ChampionsGateILALMCChampionsGate
Four dining venues, movie theater, pool, spa, and championship golf nearby; 223 units; among the most resort-like senior communities in Central Florida.
- Lake Howard Heights★★★★★ILALWinter Haven
5-star rated (SeniorHomes.com); lakefront on Lake Howard; chef-prepared meals; pet-friendly.
- Lake Gibson VillageALMCLakeland
Lakefront with heated pool; historic on-site theatre — one of the most genuinely unique amenities in Central Florida senior living.
- Ansley Parke at OakbridgeALLakeland
AHCA zero-deficiency award; from $3,395/month — one of the county's best value plays for care quality per dollar.
- Grace Manor at Lake MortonMCLakeland
Specialized dementia care with 24/7 awake staff; lakefront views in downtown Lakeland; boutique scale.
Best For
Affordability · Residential ALFs under $3K/month · Resort-retirement at I-4 · Lakeland lifestyle
County 6 of 6
Volusia County
Volusia County combines the most affordable median assisted living cost in this group — roughly $1,000/month less than Orange County — with the coastal lifestyle Central Florida retirees actually want. With 90 licensed facilities, the county has the depth to serve every budget.
Market context
Volusia is the coastal value play — adult children on a budget should look here first. DeLand stands out for its historic downtown, Stetson University culture, and the highest-rated facility in the county. Daytona Beach has maximum affordability; Port Orange and Ormond Beach offer the quality-lifestyle balance most families are actually seeking.
Central Florida Senior Living Guide · 2026
Volusia County
Ormond Beach · Port Orange · DeLand · Daytona Beach · Deltona
90
Licensed ALFs
Monthly Cost Range
$1,899 – $5,370
per month (2026)
vs. FL State Average
↓ Below average
FL avg: $4,624/mo
Avg. Monthly Cost vs. FL Average ($4,624/mo)
Top Communities
- Grand Villa of DeLand★★★★★ILALMCDeLand
10/10 rating with 146 reviews — highest-rated and most-reviewed senior community in the entire county. Staff routinely described as 'family' in independent reviews.
- The Addison of Port OrangeALMCPort Orange
9.9/10 with 33 reviews; award-winning; praised for staff communication and family involvement.
- Sancerre at Orange CityALMCOrange City
9.8/10 with 63 reviews; I-4 corridor between Orlando and Daytona — ideal for families split between both metros.
- Grand Villa of Ormond BeachALMCOrmond Beach
115 units; resort-style with art classes and fitness center; sister to the top-rated DeLand location.
- Brookdale Port OrangeALMCPort Orange
Starting at $2,740/month — one of the most affordable quality-branded communities in the county.
Best For
Affordability · Coastal lifestyle · DeLand charm · Established senior ecosystem
The real estate connection
Selling a home to fund senior care.
$565K–$580K
Typical net from a $600K Orlando home sale
After agent fees and Florida closing costs — no state income tax.
8–12 years
How long that funds quality assisted living
At Central Florida's average assisted living cost of ~$4,624/month.
60–90 days
Typical timeline from listing to close
In the current Orlando market. We can coordinate with your placement advisor to match the timing.
One of the most common conversations at MaxLife Realty is a family managing the sale of a parent's home while simultaneously securing a placement in a senior community. As a licensed broker and mortgage loan originator, Ryan understands the full financial picture — and can help you time the transaction so the cash is available when the move-in date is set.
Talk to Ryan About the Timeline →Common questions
What families ask most.
- What is the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in Florida?
- Assisted living (ALF in Florida) provides housing, meals, personal care, and medication management for residents who need help with daily tasks but not round-the-clock skilled medical care. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities, SNFs) provide 24/7 licensed nursing, wound care, IV therapy, and rehabilitation for residents with complex medical needs. Many Central Florida communities — called CCRCs or Life Plan Communities — offer both levels under one roof, allowing residents to transition without moving campuses.
- Does Medicare cover assisted living in Florida?
- No. Medicare does not cover assisted living costs. It covers short-term skilled nursing care (up to 100 days) after a qualifying hospital stay and some home health services. Long-term assisted living is paid privately — from home sale proceeds, savings, long-term care insurance, or Medicaid for qualifying low-income residents. This is why a coordinated home sale is often the first step in funding a quality placement.
- Which Central Florida county has the most affordable assisted living?
- Polk County and Volusia County offer the most affordable median assisted living costs in this group — roughly $3,700/month and $3,648/month respectively, compared to the Florida state average of $4,624/month. Osceola County also has some of the lowest costs, with Good Samaritan Society Kissimmee Village offering options starting below $1,400/month for certain housing types.
- Can selling a home help pay for assisted living in Central Florida?
- Yes — and it is one of the most common funding paths for quality assisted living in this market. A $600,000 home sale nets roughly $565,000–$580,000 after closing costs, enough to fund 8–12 years at Central Florida's average assisted living rate. Florida's no-income-tax environment and homestead exemption can make the sale more financially efficient than selling in other states. Timing the listing to align with the placement transition is something Ryan coordinates directly with families.
Managing a transition? Let's talk.
Whether you're selling a family home to fund senior care, downsizing from a longtime Central Florida property, or helping a parent make a move — Ryan works with families through every step of the real estate side of the transition.
Ryan Solberg · Broker #BK3354351 · MLO NMLS #1784218 · Mortgageinc NMLS #2028516