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How Hidden Costs at Home Add Up Faster Than Senior Living Fees

According to AARP, nearly 75% of seniors want to live in their homes for as long as possible — but when does staying in your current residence stop being the best option? Even if your home fits your needs today, what will aging at home look like at 75, 80, or 85? What changes will you need to make to ensure you’re able to live safely and independently? What are the hidden costs of aging at home?

The Average Cost of Staying in Your Home

Aging in place means either taking care of everything yourself or finding someone you trust to do it for you. Even if you’re relatively healthy and capable of living alone, yard work, regular cleaning, laundry, and home maintenance are a lot of work. While these expenses are covered at John Knox Village, the total average of basic monthly costs when aging at home ranges from $3,766.50 to $5,880.50. Here’s how it breaks down:

  • Mortgage or rent: According to Rocket Mortgage, the average mortgage payment in the U.S. in 2025 was $2,329. The median rent for a one- and two-bedroom apartments in Lee’s Summit ranges from $1,180 to $2,700 a month.

Even if your home is paid off, you’ll still have monthly expenses. The national monthly average for common expenses is as follows:

  • Homeowners or renters insurance: The average monthly cost of homeowners insurance is $176, according to NerdWallet, while renters insurance averages $13 per month.
  • Electricity: $138
  • Natural gas: $85
  • Trash: $62.50
  • Water: $49

These standard expenses can cost seniors between $347.50 and $510.50 each month.

The monthly average for groceries, transportation, and other necessities is as follows:

  • Groceries: The average moderate monthly grocery bill for a senior in the U.S. is about $364.10, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
  • Transportation: LendingTree states that Americans spend $9,470 annually—or about $789 per month—on transportation, including vehicle payments, gasoline, insurance, public transportation, and travel.
  • Yard maintenance: Basic lawn care services can range from $100 to $400 per month, depending on the size of the lawn and the amount of work needed, according to HomeGuide.
  • Housekeeping: The average cost for weekly housekeeping is $200, according to HomeAdvisor, with costs varying based on home size and condition.

Adding these services can increase your monthly cost to between $2,120 and $2,420.

In addition to these typical homeowner expenses, you may also want the following services:

  • Security system: $29–$60/month
  • Laundry services: $30–$60/month
  • Medical alert call service: $20–$60/month
  • Fitness club membership: $40–$70/month

These services can increase monthly living expenses by an additional $119 to $250.

  • Home maintenance: Other common costs associated with owning a home include gutter cleaning, appliance replacement, HVAC diagnostics, and system upgrades. While these may not be monthly expenses, repairs and maintenance can add up over time — and sometimes arrive unexpectedly.
  • Home modifications: To safely age at home, you may need to update your living space to accommodate physical or mobility changes. Bathrooms, stairs, and doorways can become fall hazards or difficult to navigate, often requiring costly renovations.

Senior Living Savings

Senior living communities are designed to support aging in place with built-in safety features and conveniences. However, when comparing home vs. senior living costs in the Kansas City area, it’s important to look at the full picture because there is a cost to moving to a Life Plan Community like John Knox Village that includes:

  • Entrance fee: This fee varies based on contract type and residence size. Your entrance fee not only covers your home but also provides access to future care if needed.
  • Monthly service fee: This fee includes home maintenance, property taxes, utilities, dining plans, fitness memberships, a beautifully maintained campus, and many additional services and amenities.

At John Knox Village, our services and amenities include:

  • Biweekly housekeeping and linen services
  • Daily check-in system
  • Year-round landscaping and groundskeeping
  • Lifelong learning opportunities, including arts and crafts
  • Scheduled transportation
  • 24/7 security — staffed by EMTs
  • 24/7 emergency advanced life support ambulance service
  • Concierge services
  • Utilities (excluding internet)
  • In-home emergency response system
  • Pet-friendly living
  • Seven dining venues with restaurant-style dining for every occasion — from formal tableside service to casual pubs — with outdoor seating, pickup and delivery services.
  • Fully equipped fitness center with wellness programs
  • Indoor and outdoor swimming pools
  • Pickleball courts
  • 9-hole executive golf course
  • Bowling alley
  • Movie theater
  • Arts and crafts studio
  • Library
  • Three full-service salons
  • Guest rooms for family and friends

About John Knox Village

John Knox Village is a leader in senior living services in Lee’s Summit and the greater Kansas City region. The community boasts a diverse range of living options from freestanding homes and apartment homes to villas. With more than 700,000 square feet of common space across the beautiful campus, you’ll find more opportunities and experiences right outside your door.

If you’re exploring Life Plan Communities in Lee’s Summit or the Kansas City area, we’d love to show you all that John Knox Village has to offer. Contact us today, call (816) 251-8000 to schedule a visit, or register to attend one of our upcoming events. You can also explore your options with our Financial Fit Calculator.