Katy, Texas, is frequently named one of Texas’ top retirement cities due to its mixture of affordability, various health care options, recreational activities, and senior-friendliness. Plus, the city is just west of Houston, making it popular among seniors looking to reside in the area without the city’s daily hustle and bustle. Seniors also have several senior living options to choose from, depending on their wants and needs.
Senior apartments are specifically designed to accommodate the independent aging population, to help seniors thrive alongside individuals in their same age group. Senior apartments typically offer social spaces, convenient services and safety features, and robust amenities. In Katy, senior apartments aren’t as common as independent living communities, however, seniors still have some options in the area.
In this guide, we use our internal data to help you navigate senior apartment options in Katy based on what matters most to residents. You’ll find data on our partnering Katy senior apartments’ overall resident ratings, cleanliness, activities, amenities, and other features. We also delve into local costs, how seniors usually pay, senior-specific Katy resources, and senior-friendly activities in Katy.
Cocktail party with cake and cupcakes, plus drinks, all presented to guests and residents in wonderful holiday setup - decorations and live music made for a great experience! Champagne, wine and soft drinks...
My living experience has been very positive for all categories listed. My very first impression was that of a vacation resort when taking the tour of the community. After signing on, I have not been...
My mom was at the heights tower for several years. It was a pretty good place but they are beginning a remodeling of the whole place, trying to redo every apartment. It looked like it was up in the air how...
I don't understand these other reviews here because I have a totally different experience at the Pinemont Apartments. People here in the office are friendly and very helpful. In fact the first person I...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Katy community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
The average rent for a senior apartment in Katy is approximately $1,574 per month. However, prices vary depending on the chosen neighborhood, floor plan, and on-site amenities and services. Monthly rent could be as low as $1,200, or as high as $2,200, depending on what the community offers.[01] These costs are on par with other apartment complexes in the area.
Luckily, Katy senior apartment complexes have several amenities built into the standard, baseline rent. Seniors can expect the following types of amenities included in their baseline rental price:
Seniors may also have access to the following at a Katy senior apartment, but they may incur additional fees:
The following costs provide a good cost comparison of senior apartments in the greater Katy area. While a good way to compare area costs of living, these rental costs may not be as accurate as our figures above.
Seniors usually pay for senior apartments the way they’d pay rent at any ordinary apartment — using a combination of their personal income resources. Qualifying senior veterans or surviving spouses may also be able to use some veterans benefits to help pay rent at a senior apartment.
Seniors can’t use Medicaid, Medicare, or long-term care insurance to pay rent at a senior apartment, because senior apartments aren’t considered care facilities. However, these health benefits can be used to pay for in-home health care services within a senior apartment if needed. Such benefits may also be used to help pay for life in a senior care facility, should future care needs arise.
In this section, you’ll find helpful information on common private payment methods, veterans benefits, Medicaid, Medicare, and local, low-income housing assistance options. You’ll learn what may apply to you and how you can apply these payment methods to costs of living or care needs in the future. Each section also provides local contact information and websites, so Katy seniors can easily access all their eligible benefits.
Seniors most commonly use private payment methods to cover senior apartment rental costs in Katy, Texas. These methods are typically acquired over a lifetime and include income sources like savings accounts, retirement pensions, investment returns, and/or Social Security benefits.
Depending on financial circumstances, seniors also utilize the following to free up cash for their senior living and retirement costs:
Number of veterans living in Katy as of 2021
About 39% of Katy veterans are 65+.
If you’re a veteran or surviving spouse, you may be eligible for various benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These funds can sometimes be used to pay for rent on a senior apartment. The Aid and Attendance benefit is particularly helpful for disabled senior veterans, as it can be added to an existing Veterans Pension to pay for anything that improves a senior’s quality of life — which could include rent at a senior apartment and/or home care services.
If you’re unsure about your VA benefits eligibility status, you’ll want to reach out to a local veterans service organization (VSO) before you apply for any benefits. VSOs are nonprofit organizations that can help veterans obtain their entitled benefits. Such organizations can help veterans or surviving spouses identify eligibility, file a claim, and even appeal a denied claim.
Veteran service organizations or offices often operate out of one county department. But, because Katy belongs to three counties, Katy residents have several veteran service office options, depending on which neighborhood they live in. Below, you’ll find the veterans service offices for Harris, Fort Bend, and Waller Counties. You can reach out to the offices using the contact information provided. These offices will put you in contact with a veteran service officer in your area.
Resources for Katy veterans
Harris County Veterans Services Department
2929 McKinney St.
Houston, TX 77003
Phone: 281-876-6600
Email: 281-876-6600
Fort Bend County Veterans Service Office
4520 Reading Road, Suite A-300
Rosenberg, TX 77471
Phone: 281-341-4550
Email: veteranservices@fortbendcountytx.gov
Waller County Veterans Service Office
Waller County Community Center
21274 FM 1098
Prarieview, TX 77446
Phone: 979-826-7733
Email: g.nemec@wallercounty.us
Medicaid and Medicare are public health insurance programs for seniors or disabled individuals. Neither can be used to pay for rent on a senior apartment, as they are health insurance programs, and a senior apartment is not a care community. These programs can instead help cover health care costs, like in-home health care services, should you ever need them in your senior apartment. Learn more about both programs below.
Although Medicaid can’t be used to pay for rent at a senior apartment, it can help cover some long-term health care services and medically necessary in-home health care services within a senior apartment.
Most Texas seniors who qualify for Medicaid receive their coverage through STAR+PLUS — the state’s managed care program for seniors 65+ and individuals with disabilities. It’s operated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). As of 2023, seniors must not exceed the following annual income limits to qualify for Medicaid:[03]
If you’re planning for care needs that may arise in the future, you’ll want to learn about STAR+PLUS’ home and community based services (HCBS) waiver program. It can help cover home health care services in any qualifying residential or community setting a senior calls home — including a senior apartment, assisted living community, or memory care community. Covered costs can include the following:
To qualify for this waiver, seniors must be 65 or older, require an institutional level of care typically found in a nursing home, and meet income requirements for Medicaid.
Seniors who are 65+ and/or have a disability may qualify for the Medicare program in Texas. Even though it doesn’t cover rent or living costs at a senior apartment, it can help cover several medical care services. Medicare-covered services can include the following:
Medicare-eligible seniors in Katy can receive assistance with their Medicare benefits, legal advice, and referrals by utilizing the resources listed in the resources section below. You can also visit the federal Medicare website or dial 2-1-1 for more information.
If you’re a Harris County resident who qualifies for both Medicare and Medicaid, you might qualify for dual coverage. Texas offers a joint Medicare-Medicaid Plan (MMP) called the Dual Eligible Integrated Care Demonstration Project for six counties — with Harris County being one of them. Keep in mind, this program doesn’t cover Katy residents in Fort Bend or Waller Counties.
This project is commonly referred to as “the Demonstration,” and it aims to offer the following:
To qualify, a senior must meet the following eligibility requirements:
Qualifying seniors should automatically be enrolled in the Demonstration and receive a notifying enrollment letter in the mail. If you’d like to opt out, you can follow the instructions provided in the letter. For additional information on the program, you can email managed_care_initiatives@hhsc.state.tx.us.
Texas offers many programs and organizations to help seniors navigate Medicaid and Medicare. Below, you’ll find Medicaid and Medicare applications and local Area Agency on Aging contacts. The Harris County Area Agency on Aging can assist you with your applications and help you understand your service options.
Katy resident Medicaid resources
Find a local SSA office for Medicare assistance
16200 Dillard Dr.
Houston, TX 77040
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Harris County Area Agency on Aging website
8000 N. Stadium Dr.
Houston, TX 77054
Phone: 832-393-4301
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Katy seniors with low income or work history may be eligible for public assistance programs and Social Security benefits. In this section, you’ll find an overview of housing assistance options and Social Security benefit options.
Some Katy seniors that reside in Harris County can receive housing assistance. Katy itself doesn’t have a housing association, so some residents in other programs may not qualify for housing assistance. Most housing assistance programs in Katy come from the Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA).
The most popular program is the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), previously known as Section 8. For seniors to use this voucher for rent on senior apartments, senior apartment owners must agree to rent under the program. So, be sure to check with your prospective community if you plan to rent under the HCV program, as not all apartments rent under this program.
The HCHA provides HCV vouchers to residents who have a gross household income equal to or less than 50% of the area’s median income. As of 2022, seniors must not exceed the following income limits to qualify for the HCV program:[04]
It’s important to note that the HCV program only accepts applications during certain periods and often has long waitlists. If you’ve been waitlisted, you may be selected and contacted as funding becomes available.
As a senior and/or former worker, you may qualify for some Social Security benefits to offset costs of living. The Social Security Administration (or SSA) offers many benefits. The benefits available to you will depend on your work history and current situation. Learn more about each Social Security benefit below.
For additional information on public housing assistance programs, visit the websites below. You’ll find local offices, phone numbers, and portals to help you understand public assistance programs and apply for them.
Katy resident public assistance resources
Texas senior apartments are regulated the same as any standard apartment complex. And, just like any rental property, senior apartments are required to comply with general Texas housing laws, such as the Texas Property Code and Fair Housing Act. Such laws help ensure that senior apartment residents in Texas are not discriminated against and that they’re provided with safe, well-maintained housing. Furthermore, most Texas senior apartments have a minimum age requirement of 55, with some apartments raising it to 62.
Below, you’ll find an overview of some of the rights you hold as a tenant at a senior apartment in Katy. You’ll also find a summary of how senior apartments must accommodate seniors with a disability.
Senior apartment communities are required to comply with Texas’ housing and apartment regulations for landlords and tenants. It’s helpful to learn about tenants’ rights, as it’ll help you find a safe and satisfactory living situation while renting.
Here’s a brief overview of some of the most important tenants’ rights in Texas:[06]
Before attempting to terminate a lease or hiring an external contractor, it’s strongly recommended that the tenant reaches out to an attorney or a local tenants’ association. Consulting a housing expert will prevent you from breaching any lease agreements, and it’ll hopefully lead you to the end result you desire. It’s also recommended that a tenant provides multiple written notices to their landlord and keeps a copy of each notice as proof.[06]
If you’re seeking more information on your rights as a senior apartment tenant, be sure to read the Texas Tenants’ Rights Handbook. You can also check out these renter resources from the Texas Apartment Association.
In Texas, federal nondiscrimination laws — such as the Fair Housing Act, Section 504, and Americans with Disabilities Act (or ADA) — protect tenants from being discriminated against due to disability. This prohibits apartment landlords from refusing housing due to a senior’s disability. Furthermore, these laws require housing providers to provide reasonable accommodations and modifications in housing, programs, and activities for tenants with disabilities.
If you’re a senior with a disability, you have the right to request reasonable accommodations and modifications within your apartment community. Reasonable accommodations are defined as changes to facility policies, while modifications are structural changes to common areas and individual units.
Some examples of reasonable accommodations in line with ADA include the following:[07]
Some examples of reasonable modifications in line with ADA include the following:[07]
These nondiscrimination laws apply to all Katy senior apartments. Senior apartment landlords are required to pay for such modifications unless providing them would pose an undue financial or administrative burden. If you’d like more information, see this detailed infographic on reasonable accommodations and modifications for Texas renters.
Katy doesn’t have any COVID-19 regulations in place for senior apartments due to the overall decline of COVID-19. But, if you’re looking for local updates regarding risk levels, testing centers, and vaccination spots, you can visit the COVID-19 page on the Katy, Texas, website.
Katy is on top retirement lists in Texas due to its easy access to medical services, recreational activities, close proximity to Houston, and senior-friendliness. The city also offers several senior living options to enhance the next chapter of life for older adults.
Senior living options include senior apartments, however, they’re not particularly popular in Katy, because independent living communities tend to dominate among independent seniors. Nonetheless, seniors have a few great options with incredible features. Learn about the robust features provided in our partner senior apartments in Katy below.
Because senior isolation tends to result in mental and physical health complications, our Katy senior apartment partners enable host a myriad of social events. As a matter of fact, they offer a robust calendar of activities to help aging seniors practice their hobbies with one another and form new friendships.
Seniors can attend resident socials, holiday parties, and birthday celebrations. They can also join one another at the luxurious swimming pools, grilling stations, or courtyard areas. Residents can even stay active together and join on-site fitness classes like yoga, water aerobics, and more.
Our Katy senior apartment partners house a range of on-site amenities to help residents enjoy their favorite activities on the premises. Seniors can maintain their favorite hobbies together or start a new interest group in common areas. You can expect the following on-site amenities at most Katy senior apartments:
Senior apartments go the extra mile to help ensure senior residents lead safe lives. So, our Katy partners have fully secured grounds, with features like controlled access gates, video surveillance, and more. Some senior apartments also have aging-friendly features, like grab bars, wheelchair access, and easy-to-read signage to help residents navigate common areas with ease.
Many seniors live in Katy due to its close proximity to Houston. However, Katy has limited options due to its smaller size, causing seniors to expand their search into the surrounding areas, including Houston itself. Houston offers many options and is a better fit for active seniors who want to get around by bus, explore the city’s attractions, and benefit from more conveniences. Senior apartment options in Houston also tend to have more on-site luxuries and conveniences.
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Number of 65+ seniors living in Katy as of 2021
Average annual retirement income for Katy area seniors 65+[02]
Katy is known for its robust health care offerings. It’s often on many top retirement lists due to the city’s health care options. The city itself doesn’t have very many hospitals, because Houston tends to house the bulk of them, but the city does have many recognized clinics. However, residents still have a couple top hospitals in the area. Learn more about Katy’s top medical centers below.
Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital has been serving the city for approximately four decades. It houses 208 beds and a medical staff with expertise in 39 specialties. It’s also known for providing patient-centered care and is nationally recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for nursing professionalism and excellent care.
Houston Methodist West Hospital is technically located in Houston, however, it’s in West Houston, so it serves residents in Katy as well. This hospital offers over 200 beds and is known for its innovative medical and surgical care.
Most Katy residents own a vehicle to easily get around the city as well as to make trips to Houston. Some of our Katy senior apartment partners offer rides to errands or local events at a cost, or they’re happy to connect residents to another local ride service. Katy doesn’t have its own public transportation service, so seniors typically utilize local ride services or ridesharing services.
Seniors with Medicaid can also utilize the medical transportation program provided by Texas Health and Human Services. This program offers seniors rides to doctors’ offices, hospitals, drug stores, or any place that provides covered health care services. To schedule a ride, you can visit the linked website and find your health care provider.
You can also get a better feel for the city’s sprawl and infrastructure using the Walk Scores below. These scores are each out of 100, and they’re based on Katy’s walking trails, biking routes, transportation options, and public density:[08]
Seniors have a world of activities to choose from in Katy, Texas. From mouthwatering restaurants to fun shops, there’s something to experience at every turn. You can even check out the Travel Katy page for plenty to see and do.
Some of our senior apartment partners in Katy even schedule group outings at cost to help residents attend events together with ease. Below, you’ll find some senior-favored activities in Katy, with some even offering accommodations for seniors with disabilities. Just be sure to ask about accommodations before you visit.
Alders Magnolia 55 Active Adult Luxury Living, Wood Glen Court and Plantation at Quail Valley are the top-rated Senior Apartments facilities near Katy, TX. These Senior Apartments facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Senior Apartments in Katy is $1,755 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Katy city; Texas.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2023, March 1). Appendix XXXI, Monthly income/resource limits. In STAR+PLUS Handbook.
Harris County Housing Authority. (2016). Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Social Security Administration. (2019). The faces and facts of disability: Facts.
Texas Young Lawyers Association & State Bar of Texas. (2019). Tenants’ Rights Handbook.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2022). Reasonable accommodations and modifications.
Walk Score. (2023). Katy, Texas.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Katy city; Texas.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2023, March 1). Appendix XXXI, Monthly income/resource limits. In STAR+PLUS Handbook.
Harris County Housing Authority. (2016). Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Social Security Administration. (2019). The faces and facts of disability: Facts.
Texas Young Lawyers Association & State Bar of Texas. (2019). Tenants’ Rights Handbook.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2022). Reasonable accommodations and modifications.
Walk Score. (2023). Katy, Texas.