What is the true cost of growing older in America?
The Elder Index tool shows how much income older adults need to meet their basic needs and age in place with dignity.
You can compare county, state, and national Elder Index values. Then download charts and tables for specific locations.
The Elder Economic Security Standard™ Index (Elder Index), was developed by the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston. The Elder Index is a measure of the income that older adults need to meet their basic needs and age in place with dignity. The Elder Index is specific to household size, location, housing tenure, and health status. It includes the cost of:
“Living costs and inflation rates vary considerably around the country, and that means a Social Security check goes farther in some regions than in others. The Elder Index shows that the average benefit covers 90 percent of living costs in rural West Virginia but just 38 percent in San Francisco.