The California Elder Economic Security Index (Elder Index) is the only county-specific measure of the minimum income necessary to cover all of a retired older adult’s (65+ years) basic expenses - housing, food, health care, and transportation. The Elder Index is calculated using credible, publicly available data for each of California’s 58 counties and the City of Los Angeles.
New Elder Index data available below!
To use the Elder Index Calculator, click here.
For detailed Elder Index data, including data on grandparents raising grandchildren and elders living alone, click on the links below.
Click here for the Elder Index methodology and Elder Index data prior to 2011.
The Elder Index does not include the cost of home-based long term care assistance. In-home long term care costs can double a senior’s overall expenses. Click here for more information.