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Board and care homes in San Diego, CA

152 licensed residential care homes with 6 or fewer residents in San Diego, San Diego County, with estimated all-in monthly costs. 19 are approved for Medi-Cal's Assisted Living Waiver. Compare them side by side and book tours yourself. Chapter never sells your information.

See all 152 homesAll 185 communities in San Diego
152board and care homes
$6,963average all-in / mo
$6,950median all-in / mo
19accept Medi-Cal (ALW)

Board and care homes in San Diego average about $6,963/mo, compared with about $6,964/mo for larger assisted living communities in the city.

Most prices are Chapter estimates based on area averages until each home verifies its own rate. Confirm pricing and current openings directly with the home.

The basics

What is a board and care home?

A board and care home is a small assisted living home, usually an ordinary house on a residential street. In California it's licensed by the Department of Social Services as a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE), the same license as large assisted living communities, but with 6 or fewer residents.

Caregivers provide meals, housekeeping, supervision, and help with bathing, dressing, and medications. With so few residents, care tends to be more personal and staff get to know each resident well. Large communities usually offer more activities and amenities. Some small homes also hold hospice or dementia care waivers. Ask each home what care it can provide.

All For Seniors

San Diego, CA
Assisted living
New listing · no reviews yet
Est. all-in from
$6,500/mo
estimated — not yet verified
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All 152 board and care homes in San Diego, with monthly cost

Paying with Medi-Cal? Homes marked ALW are on the state's Assisted Living Waiver list. ALW pays for care, not room and board. All ALW homes in San Diego County · How ALW works

Touring

Questions to ask when you visit a board and care home

  • How many caregivers are on duty during the day and overnight, and are they awake at night?
  • What does the monthly rate include, and what would raise it if care needs grow?
  • Can the home care for dementia, a hospice patient, or someone who needs help transferring?
  • Who manages medications, and how are doctor visits and emergencies handled?
  • Is the license current, and have there been recent citations? You can check in the state's Community Care Licensing facility search.
Good to know

Board and care homes in San Diego — FAQ

How much does a board and care home cost in San Diego?

Across 152 board and care homes in San Diego, the average all-in cost is about $6,963 per month (median $6,950). All-in means room, meals, and a typical level of personal care. Most prices on Chapter are estimates until each home verifies its own rate, so confirm with the home.

What is a board and care home?

A board and care home is a small assisted living home, usually a regular house in a residential neighborhood, licensed by the California Department of Social Services as a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE). These homes have 6 or fewer residents and provide meals, supervision, and help with bathing, dressing, and medications.

Is a board and care home cheaper than assisted living?

In San Diego, board and care homes average about $6,963/mo on Chapter versus about $6,964/mo for larger communities. Small homes often have fewer amenities but more one-on-one attention and a higher caregiver-to-resident ratio.

Do board and care homes in San Diego accept Medi-Cal?

Some do. 19 board and care homes in San Diego are approved for Medi-Cal's Assisted Living Waiver (ALW), which pays for care but not room and board. Many residents also use SSI/SSP to cover room and board.

How do I check a board and care home's license and inspection history?

Look the home up by name or license number in the California Community Care Licensing Division's public facility search, which shows the license status, capacity, and any inspection reports or citations. Chapter shows each home's state license number on its listing.

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Board and care homes near San Diego

Escondido61Oceanside37El Cajon27Poway27Chula Vista22Vista22Carlsbad17La Mesa15San Marcos15Santee10Spring Valley9La Jolla8All of San Diego County →All cities →

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Listings are sourced from public California licensing records. Pricing is estimated from regional averages until each community verifies its own.