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Independent Living in the Austin area

Age-restricted apartments and cottages with dining, transportation and activities, for adults who do not need daily care.

Quick answer

Independent Living in Texas is regulated by HHSC. We list 24 verified independent living providers across the Austin metro in Travis, Williamson and Hays counties.

HomeServicesIndependent Living

Independent living is housing, not care. Age-restricted apartments or cottages with dining, transportation, activities and maintenance handled — for adults who do not need help with daily activities.

Short answer

Independent Living in Texas is regulated by HHSC. We list 24 verified independent living providers across the Austin metro. Independent living is housing, not care.

Three things worth knowing first

  • Independent living is not licensed as a care facility in Texas, because no personal care is provided. That also means no HHSC inspection record to check.
  • Many Austin campuses are Life Plan Communities offering the full continuum, which can mean an entry fee and a contract worth having reviewed by an attorney.
  • If help with daily activities is already needed, independent living is the wrong category, even when a community offers to arrange outside caregivers.
You can check any Texas facility's record free. Use TULIP for current license status and the legacy HHSC provider search for inspection and deficiency history. Read the full explanation →

Verified independent living across the metro

We list 24 verified independent living providers in the Austin metro. The full table with addresses and counties lives in the directory.

See all 24 in the directory →

Independent Living by city

Questions Austin families ask

Does Texas Medicaid pay for assisted living?

Partially. The STAR+PLUS HCBS waiver covers assisted living care services but explicitly does not cover room and board, which comes from the resident's own income. You must meet nursing facility level of care, income under $2,982 monthly, and assets under $2,000, and usually wait on an interest list.

What's the Medicaid income limit for a nursing home in Texas in 2026?

For a single applicant in 2026, monthly income must be under $2,982 and countable assets under $2,000. Your home and one vehicle are generally exempt. You must also meet Nursing Facility Level of Care. A community spouse may keep a separate resource allowance.

How much money can my spouse keep if I go into a nursing home in Texas?

Texas allows a Community Spouse Resource Allowance so the at-home spouse isn't impoverished, reported at $162,660 for 2026. The applicant spouse is limited to $2,000. Because these figures change annually and the calculation is complex, confirm current amounts with HHSC or a Texas elder law attorney.

How much spending money does a Texas nursing home resident keep?

Texas sets the Personal Needs Allowance at $75 per month, raised from $60 effective January 1, 2024. That's well above the $30 federal minimum. Nearly all remaining income, after Medicare premiums, any spousal allowance, and allowable medical expenses, goes to the facility as applied income.

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