Retirement Homes in Canada
SeniorHome.ca lists 3,526 retirement homes in 985 Canadian cities and towns. SeniorHome.ca's estimated median starting rent is $2,800 a month, usually including a private suite, meals, housekeeping and activities, with personal care billed on top.
Top-rated retirement homes in Canada
Atlantik Quality Care
Bathurst, NB
5.0Contact for pricing: (506) 300-9844
Rotary Manor
Dawson Creek, BC
5.0Contact for pricing: (236) 239-2909
Religieuses Hospitaliers
Edmundston, NB
5.0Contact for pricing: (506) 300-9844
Riverview Estates
Exeter, ON
5.0Contact for pricing: (365) 298-0013
Willow Creek Manor
Swift Current, SK
5.0Contact for pricing: (236) 239-2909
Quebec Manor
Vancouver, BC
5.0Contact for pricing: (236) 239-2909
Origin Retirement Communities
Bolton, ON
5.0Contact for pricing: (365) 298-0013
Good Shepherd Villa
Prince Albert, SK
5.0Contact for pricing: (236) 239-2909
Ashley Manor
Ajax, ON
5.0Contact for pricing: (365) 298-0013
The Mews
Kensington, PE
5.0Contact for pricing: (902) 201-2570
Primetime Living
St. Catharines, ON
5.0Contact for pricing: (365) 298-0013
Sélection Retraite
Laval, QC
5.0Contact for pricing: (438) 619-1199
Retirement homes by province
Estimated median starting monthly cost (SeniorHome.ca estimates, not quotes). Care is often extra.
| Province | Listings | Est. median starting cost |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement homes in Quebec | 1,846 | $1,750 |
| Retirement homes in Ontario | 1,083 | $4,000 |
| Retirement homes in British Columbia | 175 | $3,575 |
| Retirement homes in Alberta | 112 | $2,300 |
| Retirement homes in Manitoba | 66 | $1,200 |
| Retirement homes in New Brunswick | 61 | $1,652 |
| Retirement homes in Saskatchewan | 61 | $2,100 |
| Retirement homes in Newfoundland and Labrador | 57 | $2,184 |
| Retirement homes in Nova Scotia | 54 | $2,050 |
| Retirement homes in Prince Edward Island | 8 | $3,032 |
| Retirement homes in Nunavut | 1 | — |
| Retirement homes in Northwest Territories | 1 | — |
| Retirement homes in Yukon | 1 | — |
Retirement homes in popular cities
What a retirement home is
A retirement home (called a retirement residence, or in Quebec a résidence privée pour aînés, RPA) is private-pay housing for older adults who want meals, social life and support available, but don't need 24-hour nursing care. Residents rent a suite and choose from services: dining, housekeeping, transportation, and personal care such as help with bathing, dressing or medication.
Retirement homes are different from long-term care homes (nursing homes), which provide 24-hour nursing care, are funded by the provincial health system, and are accessed through a provincial assessment and waitlist rather than by signing a lease.
What retirement homes cost
Rent depends on the city, the suite size and how much care is included. Larger cities and new buildings cost more; shared suites and smaller towns cost less. The table below shows SeniorHome.ca's estimated median starting rent by province; these are estimates, not quotes. Care packages are usually extra, so ask each home for its full monthly cost at the care level you need.
Retirement homes aren't publicly funded, but some costs may be tax-deductible: attendant and personal care can qualify for the federal Medical Expense Tax Credit. A tax professional can confirm what applies to your situation.
How to choose a retirement home
Visit at least two or three homes, ideally at a mealtime, and compare them on the same points:
- The full monthly cost at your likely care level, and how much it rises each year
- Which care is offered on site, and what happens if needs increase (assisted living, memory care, or a move)
- Staffing: who is on site overnight, and whether there's a nurse
- Licensing: in Ontario, check the home's licence with the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA); in Quebec, check the RPA certification; other provinces have their own registries
- Location: near family, the residents' own doctor and community
- What residents and their families say: ask to speak with a few
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retirement home cost in Canada?
SeniorHome.ca estimates the median starting rent at $2,800 a month. Costs vary widely by province, city and care level, and personal care is usually billed on top of rent.
Is a retirement home the same as a nursing home?
No. Retirement homes are private-pay housing with optional support services. Nursing homes (long-term care homes) provide 24-hour nursing care, are funded by the province, and are accessed through a provincial assessment and waitlist.
Does the government pay for retirement homes?
Retirement home rent is private-pay. Some care costs may qualify for the federal Medical Expense Tax Credit, and publicly funded home care can sometimes be delivered in a retirement home, depending on the province.
How do I find retirement homes near me?
This page shows the retirement homes closest to you first. You can also search any city above, or browse by province and city below.