About Assisted LivingAssisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.Complete guide to assisted livingBest of 2025 Assisted Living Winners
About Memory CareMemory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering. Complete guide to memory careBest of 2025 Memory Care Winners
About Independent LivingIndependent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.Complete guide to independent livingBest of 2025 Independent Living Winners
About Senior LivingSenior living is a term used to describe various housing and care options for older adults from maintenance-free, 55+ facilities for active seniors, to secure, fully staffed facilities for seniors with Alzheimer's or dementia. Complete guide to senior livingFind senior living facilities near you
About Nursing HomesNursing homes provide short-and long-term care for seniors who have physical or mental health conditions that require 24-hour nursing and personal care.Complete guide to Nursing Homes
About Senior ApartmentsSenior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.Complete guide to Senior Apartments
About Care HomesResidential care homes are shared neighborhood homes for seniors who need a live-in caregiver to assist with activities of daily living, like dressing and bathing.Complete guide to care homes
Veteran ResourcesVA benefits for long-term care, such as Aid and Attendance benefits, can help eligible veterans and their surviving spouses pay for senior care.Guide to VA benefits for long-term care
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10 Best Independent Living Communities in Columbia, IA

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If you’re looking for independent living in the Columbia area, our local senior living advisors can help you each step of the way. From affordable independent living for seniors to luxury options, we’ll work with you to understand the cost of independent living in Columbia. From there, we’ll show you the best independent living communities for your lifestyle, interests, and budget.

Discover unique independent living amenities, social activities, dining, and more independent living benefits. With 185 independent living facilities in Columbia, A Place for Mom makes it easier to find your new, maintenance-free home.

We are also serving Assisted Living facilities in surrounding neighborhoods like Pella, Knoxville and Monroe.
You may also consider nearby communities such as Pella, Knoxville and Monroe.

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top3CommunitiesWithLinks: Independence Village of Pella, Attivo Trail Waukee and Independence Village of Waukee
zipAveragecost: $3,268

Columbia Independent Living Facilities | 1371 Reviews

Showing 136 communities
Last Updated: 12/24/25
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Photo of Ahepa 192 Apartments
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Friendship Manor Care Ctr
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Mayflower Homes
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
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I was pleasantly surprised how comfortable I felt living at Oakwood. The Owners are very nice and respond to requests quickly. There is an on site manager who is very good.
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Oakwood Terrace Apartments is designed for people who are 55 years of age or older, or person with disabilities.Oakwood Terrace Apartments has a beautiful outdoor setting with many shade trees and benches as well as a gazebo to add to your outdoor enjoyment.Each of our four buildings has it own...
Photo of Winterset Madison Square
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Legacy Pointe of Waukee
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Sugarcreek Senior Apartments
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So far I'm pleased with this place. Everyone is very friendly, and there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained. It's a very pleasant place to live. The only complaint I have is that I've had a...
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Sugarcreek Senior ApartmentsSugarcreek Senior Apartments is a senior housing community situated in the lovely city of Waukee, Dallas County, Iowa. Waukee is a community full of activity and recreational opportunities. The numerous festivals and celebrations hosted each year will delight residents...
Provides: Assisted Living, Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Candleridge Apartments
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
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5 star
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I've lived here less than a year, which has been an interesting year for everyone. It was handled well by everyone. I plan to live here the rest of my life.
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Kennybrook Village is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Grimes, Iowa. Located near the entrance of the Kennybrook Estates Subdivision, Kennybrook Village is the first community of its kind in the Grimes area. A CCRC is a campus that is tailored to the needs of senior adults who...

Cost of independent living in Columbia, IA

The average cost of senior living in Columbia is $3,268 per month. Cheaper nearby regions include Milo, IA with an average of $2,394 per month.

Independent living costs in Columbia, IA, vs. nearby cities

Columbia, IA
$3,268/mo

Independent living costs in Columbia, IA, vs. state and national averages

Columbia, IA
$3,268/mo
$3,220/mo
U.S. national average
$4,016/mo

Independent living costs in Columbia, IA, vs. other senior living options

$5,443/mo
Independent Living
$3,268/mo

Independent living costs in Columbia, IA, by floor plan type

Semi-Private
$4,989/mo
Studio
$5,392/mo
1 Bedroom
$4,947/mo
2 Bedroom
$4,823/mo
Detached Cottage/Bungalow
$3,229/mo

Senior living costs in Columbia vs. state and national costs

Cost comparison table showing community type costs by location. This table contains 3 rows of data across 4 columns.
Column communityType: Community type
Column destination: Columbia, IA
Column state: Iowa
Column national: U.S.
Community typeColumbia, IAIowaU.S.
Independent Living$3,268/mo$3,220/mo$4,016/mo
Assisted Living$5,236/mo$4,392/mo$4,558/mo
Memory Care$5,443/mo$4,394/mo$4,794/mo
Independent Living
Columbia, IA:$3,268/mo
Iowa:$3,220/mo
U.S.:$4,016/mo
Assisted Living
Columbia, IA:$5,236/mo
Iowa:$4,392/mo
U.S.:$4,558/mo
Memory Care
Columbia, IA:$5,443/mo
Iowa:$4,394/mo
U.S.:$4,794/mo
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.

Independent living costs in Columbia, IA, over time

The line graph below shows how monthly independent living costs have shifted over the past five years in Columbia and how those changes compare with state and national trends. The figures represent quarterly averages of what seniors actually paid after moving into A Place for Mom partner communities.

Columbia, IAIA stateNational

Independent living cost trends in Columbia, IA

The table below shows how monthly independent living costs in Columbia have changed in the last two years and how those changes compare with state and national trends. The figures represent averages of actual costs paid by seniors who moved into A Place for Mom partner communities in 2023 and 2024.

Cost comparison table showing 2023 and 2024 median costs by location. This table contains 3 rows of data across 4 columns.
Column location: Location
Column cost2024: 2024 average cost
Column cost2023: 2023 average cost
Column percentChange: Percent change
Location2024 average cost2023 average costPercent change
Columbia, IA$2,409/mo$2,629/mo-8.4%
Iowa$2,739/mo$2,661/mo+2.9%
National$3,261/mo$3,166/mo+3.0%
Columbia, IA
2024 average cost:$2,409/mo
2023 average cost:$2,629/mo
Percent change:-8.4%
Iowa
2024 average cost:$2,739/mo
2023 average cost:$2,661/mo
Percent change:+2.9%
National
2024 average cost:$3,261/mo
2023 average cost:$3,166/mo
Percent change:+3.0%
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.

Discover the many ways to pay for senior living

Planning ahead can better position you to make good choices for your loved one’s care in the future. But if your aging family member needs care now, there are ways to finance the cost of long-term care through a combination of approaches.

What families are saying about independent living in Columbia

Recent reviews for independent living in Columbia

Elite Lodge of Ashworth in West Des Moines, IA

3.8
We chose The Lodge of Ashworth Inc. because during the tour we were impressed with how clean it was and they had availability at the perfect time. They also remodeled her apartment before she moved in so she was able to pick things like her paint colors. The best part about the community is that ...
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Bishop Drumm Retirement Center in Johnston, IA

5.0
My dad is doing really good after picking this community from the list we got from A Place For Mom. He is enjoying the meals they make. He has tried some activities and he knows some people who live here. The staff has been great. I cant tell he is happy and when he calls he tells me good ...
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Thomas Place at Waukee

5.0
A Place for Mom was very empathetic and determined to find a solution for my Mom. They were extremely helpful throughout the entire process. Thank you so much!

Columbia independent living services and amenities

These charts highlight some of the many care, dining, and entertainment offerings available in Columbia independent living communities. They don’t represent all possible services and amenities available at assisted living communities in Columbia, but support comparisons against nationwide offerings. Our Senior Living Advisors can help you find communities that fit your preferences.

Availability of select dietary accommodations in Columbia independent living

Independent living communities help seniors maintain a balanced diet by accommodating their health needs, allergies, and other restrictions. Below you’ll find the percentage of Columbia partners making specific dietary accommodations for seniors compared to the percentage of assisted living partners making those accommodations nationally.
Columbia, IANational
Nutritionist / dietician
Nutritionist / dietician
12.5%
20.5%
Low / no sodium
Low / no sodium
15.4%
34.1%
No sugar
No sugar
14.7%
31.5%
Vegetarian
Vegetarian
14%
33.6%
Pureed meals
Pureed meals
3.7%
8.1%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Availability of select dining options in Columbia independent living

Our independent living communities know that seniors want top-quality meals and options for how they dine. The chart below indicates the percentage of Columbia communities that offer dining options to their discerning residents compared to our partners nationally.
Columbia, IANational
Professional chef
Professional chef
17.6%
36.5%
Restaurant style dining
Restaurant style dining
23.5%
43.5%
Room service
Room service
24.3%
36.9%
Anytime dining
Anytime dining
13.2%
17.4%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Availability of select programs and activities in Columbia independent living

Senior living communities offer a variety of programming to keep seniors socially, mentally, and physically vibrant. The chart below shows what percentage of partnered independent living communities in Columbia offer the selected activities, amenities, and programs compared to the percentage of partners nationwide.
Columbia, IANational
Activity director
Activity director
28.7%
45.3%
Pet-focused programs
Pet-focused programs
15.4%
28.4%
Community service programs
Community service programs
19.9%
32.8%
Devotional activities on-site
Devotional activities on-site
33.8%
49.3%
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
32.4%
49.8%
Outings / off-site activities
Outings / off-site activities
36.8%
54.9%
Piano or organ
Piano or organ
27.9%
43.1%
Arts and crafts center
Arts and crafts center
22.1%
37.7%
Educational speakers / life long learning
Educational speakers / life long learning
25.7%
41.7%
Clubs / games / karaoke
Clubs / games / karaoke
30.9%
47.5%
Live performances
Live performances
29.4%
47.3%
Dances
Dances
17.6%
32.6%
Fitness center
Fitness center
27.2%
39.8%
Fitness classes
Fitness classes
30.9%
47%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Frequently Asked Questions

Independence Village of Pella, Attivo Trail Waukee and Independence Village of Waukee are the top-rated independent living facilities near Columbia, Iowa. See full list of communities.
There are 185 independent living facilities near Columbia, Iowa. See the full list.
The best independent living facility near you in Columbia, Iowa is Independence Village of Pella. This independent living community received the highest ranking based on verified family reviews.
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More questions?

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The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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