Of course there is no set answer to this question, as assisted living cost can vary depending on the location of the facility, what they offer, whether it's connected with a religious affiliation and of course whether it is privately owned, or is run by a large assisted living company.  It may also depend on how much assistance the person needs of course.

There is a tremendous amount of difference in assisted living cost if the assisted living care is very limited. For example assisted living in a private home may comprise solely of meals, bathing and dressing. In assisted living facilities where the residents have their own rooms or apartments, there may be sumptuous meals offered off of a menu, special diets may be available, all manner of activities may be offered, as well as entertainment and even heated swimming pools with instructors provided. Many of the assisted living facilities are closer to an opulent cruise ship, complete with full service dining rooms with tablecloths and a huge crystal chandelier.

As you may have surmised, the assisted living cost of each of these will actually be miles apart. Keep in mind too that assisted living is used to fill in the gap between receiving home care and then a nursing home. Nursing homes typically have a nurse's desk, rails up and down corridors and in general look much like a hospital setting because the residents there need constant medical supervision.

The assisted living cost is generally thought to be approximately half of the cost of a nursing home. This may or may not prove true if the assisted living facility is in a luxurious apartment style facility. Some assisted living facilities also have a concomitant nursing home offering, which would prove very important when it is time to graduate to such.  In this manner, the resident is not moved out of the facility into brand new surroundings that may not please them at all, but rather they remain on the same grounds that they are familiar with, but with more care.

Put another way, an assisted living cost will vary too based on the physical aspect of the care needed. Assisted living is in no way a nursing home, and whereas one person may only need to be helped with taking their medicine each day, another may need help with going to the bathroom. Be sure and ask about such things when you are considering assisted living for your own loved one so that they do receive the care they need.