How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in O'Fallon, Illinois?
For families in O'Fallon, Shiloh, Belleville, and the rest of the Metro East, the cost of assisted living is often the first practical question once a parent needs more help. Prices vary widely, from small residential homes to large communities, and they depend on the room, the level of care, and what is included in the monthly fee. Published survey data gives you a reliable starting point, so you can plan ahead and judge whether a quote fits the local market.
This guide uses the 2025 CareScout Cost of Care Survey, the long-running survey formerly published as the Genworth Cost of Care Survey, along with Illinois state sources. Each figure links to its source.
How Illinois defines assisted living
In Illinois, assisted living is licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) under the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act. The Act defines an assisted living establishment as a place providing sleeping accommodations for at least three unrelated adults, at least 80 percent of whom are 55 or older, with community-based residential care for people who need help with activities of daily living, available 24 hours a day if needed. It also defines a shared housing establishment as a free-standing residence for 16 or fewer people (210 ILCS 9/10).
The Act requires certain "mandatory services," including three meals a day, housekeeping, personal laundry and linen service, 24-hour security, an emergency communication response system, and help with activities of daily living as each resident requires. Those services are a useful baseline when you compare what different monthly rates include. Our guide to Illinois assisted living licensing explains the rules in more detail.
The 2025 numbers for the St. Louis area
CareScout reports costs by metropolitan area. O'Fallon is part of the St. Louis metro area, which spans Missouri and Illinois, so that is the closest published figure. CareScout's 2025 survey reports a median of $6,050 a month for assisted living in the St. Louis area (CareScout Cost of Care tool).
| Area (2025) | Median monthly assisted living cost |
|---|---|
| St. Louis metro area | $6,050 |
| Illinois statewide | $6,219 |
| United States | $6,200 |
The statewide and national figures come from the 2025 survey summary (Genworth and CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey summary, PDF).
A few takeaways:
- The St. Louis-area median is about $169 a month lower than the Illinois statewide median.
- It is about $150 a month lower than the national median.
- Over a year, the St. Louis-area median comes to about $72,600.
A median is the midpoint, not a standard price. Half of the communities surveyed charged more and half charged less. A small cottage-style home and a large community with many amenities can both be part of the same metro survey.
What shapes a monthly quote
The room
Shared rooms generally cost less than private rooms. Ask what each option includes, such as a private or shared bathroom, closet space, and whether residents can bring their own furniture.
The level of care
Most communities assess each new resident before move-in, looking at help needed with bathing, dressing, toileting, transfers, eating, and medications. Some charge a single inclusive rate. Others add charges as care needs increase. Ask how the assessment works and how often it is repeated.
Setting and size
Smaller residential homes and cottages often offer a quieter, more homelike setting with fewer residents. Larger communities may offer more amenities and activities. Both approaches can work well; the right fit depends on your parent.
Memory care
People living with dementia often need more supervision and structure, and memory care is generally priced higher. CareScout does not publish a separate local figure. Our guide to memory care costs in O'Fallon explains what published data does and does not show.
Extras and fees
Ask about one-time move-in fees, and about charges for services such as incontinence care, escorts to appointments, or special diets.
Comparing the cost with living at home
List what your parent spends to live at home: mortgage or rent, property taxes, homeowners insurance, utilities, food, repairs, lawn care and snow removal, transportation, and any paid help. When those are added up, the gap between home and assisted living may be smaller than it first looks.
In-home care is another option. CareScout reports a St. Louis-area median of $35 an hour for a home health aide in 2025, or $6,673 a month at 44 hours a week, which is more than the assisted living median before housing and food are counted. Our guide to assisted living vs. in-home care costs in O'Fallon compares the two.
How families pay
Most families pay privately, using income, savings, home equity, and long-term care insurance. Veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for VA Aid and Attendance. Illinois also offers the Supportive Living Program, a Medicaid-funded assisted living model at certified sites, and the Community Care Program for in-home and adult day services. Our guide to paying for assisted living in O'Fallon explains each option.
Planning for changes over time
Costs rarely stay flat. Rates may rise each year, and care charges can increase as needs grow. When comparing communities, ask how much rates have risen in recent years and what usually triggers a change in care charges. Building a cushion into the family budget makes increases easier to absorb, and revisiting the plan each year keeps everyone on the same page.
Questions to ask about cost
- What is the monthly rate for each room type?
- How is care assessed, and how often is it reviewed?
- What is included in the base rate?
- What services cost extra?
- Is there a move-in fee?
- How much notice do you give before raising rates?
- What happens to the rate if needs change?
Local help
AgeSmart Community Resources, the area agency on aging for St. Clair County and surrounding counties, offers information and options counseling at 618-222-2561 (AgeSmart Community Resources, St. Clair County services).
Talk with Joe's Place Caring Cottage
Joe's Place Caring Cottage, at 1032 Hartman Lane in O'Fallon, offers cottage-style assisted living support, memory care programming, adult day, and respite. Rates depend on room type and care needs, so please call (618) 607-9906 for current pricing or to plan a visit.
Frequently asked questions
How much does assisted living cost in O'Fallon, IL?
There is no O'Fallon-only figure. CareScout's 2025 survey reports a median of $6,050 a month for assisted living in the St. Louis metro area, which includes O'Fallon.
How does the St. Louis area compare with the rest of Illinois?
In 2025, the St. Louis-area median of $6,050 a month was slightly below the Illinois statewide median of $6,219.
What services must Illinois assisted living provide?
The Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act lists mandatory services, including three meals a day, housekeeping, laundry, 24-hour security, an emergency response system, and help with daily activities.
Does Medicare pay for assisted living?
No. Medicare does not pay for room, board, or ongoing personal care in assisted living, though it covers eligible medical care.