These two are sometimes shopped as if they're just different price points on the same thing. They're not — they're built for different levels of need, and the cost difference reflects that.
Independent living
Built for people who don't need help with daily activities but want less home upkeep, more social connection, and amenities like meals and housekeeping. Think of it as a lifestyle change more than a care change — the national median runs around $3,200 per month.
Assisted living
Built for people who need actual help — bathing, dressing, medication management — in addition to housing and meals. The national median runs around $5,419 per month, roughly 40% more than independent living.
The honest question to ask
Not "which one can we afford" first, but "does my parent actually need hands-on help with daily activities, or do they need less home upkeep and more social connection?" Choosing independent living when real care needs already exist just delays a second move; choosing assisted living when it isn't needed yet means paying for care that isn't being used.
A middle path many families don't know about
Many independent living communities offer add-on services — meal delivery to the apartment, medication reminders, occasional housekeeping — that can bridge a gap for a period of time without a full move to assisted living. Worth asking about directly rather than assuming it's all-or-nothing.