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Best Assisted Living in Columbia, SC

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 19 assisted living communities in Columbia, SC using South Carolina Dept. of Public Health (DPH) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank assisted living in SC
Reviewed by
Last updated
Jun 2026
We analyzed
19 homes
Other senior care options in Columbia:
Avg Monthly Cost: $5,727The average monthly cost across facilities in Columbia, SC. Reflects published or estimated base rates and can vary with care level, room type, and amenities. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: $5,600
Avg Walk Score: 30/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in Columbia, SC. A third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100) measuring convenience and context, not healthcare quality. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 50/ 100
Avg No. of Beds: 63The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Columbia, SC. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90

Compare Assisted Living around Columbia (Metro Area)

The information below is reported by the South Carolina Department of Public Health, Bureau of Healthcare Quality.

Palmettos of Parklane
AL
MC
RC
Columbia (Springwood)
85
Facility 85
SC AVG 90
Rank #159 / 309
Yes
27
Facility 27
SC AVG 32
Rank #141 / 232
Suite-
Spring Oak Lexington
AL
MC
Lexington
90
Facility 90
SC AVG 90
Rank #132 / 309
No
22
Facility 22
SC AVG 32
Rank #156 / 232
--
Harmony at Columbia
AL
IL
MC
Columbia
110
Facility 110
SC AVG 90
Rank #90 / 309
Yes
36
Facility 36
SC AVG 32
Rank #102 / 232
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 BedA+
Merrill Gardens at Columbia
AL
IL
Columbia (Midtown - Downtown)
52
Facility 52
SC AVG 90
Rank #242 / 309
Yes
17
Facility 17
SC AVG 32
Rank #165 / 232
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed-
Brookdale Harbison
AL
Columbia
52
Facility 52
SC AVG 90
Rank #242 / 309
Yes
36
Facility 36
SC AVG 32
Rank #102 / 232
Suite-
Brookdale Columbia
AL
IL
MC
NH
Columbia (Dentsville)
52
Facility 52
SC AVG 90
Rank #242 / 309
Yes
35
Facility 35
SC AVG 32
Rank #112 / 232
Suite-
The Legacy of Lexington
AL
Lexington
49
Facility 49
SC AVG 90
Rank #262 / 309
No
32
Facility 32
SC AVG 32
Rank #127 / 232
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed-
Laurel Crest
AL
IL
MC
NC
West Columbia
26
Facility 26
SC AVG 90
Rank #297 / 309
Yes
15
Facility 15
SC AVG 32
Rank #173 / 232
Suite-
Mill Creek Manor
AL
IL
MC
Columbia (Williamsburg East)
59
Facility 59
SC AVG 90
Rank #225 / 309
Yes
8
Facility 8
SC AVG 32
Rank #198 / 232
Private RoomsB+
Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community
AL
IL
MC
NH
West Columbia (Still Hopes Drive)
22
Facility 22
SC AVG 90
Rank #303 / 309
Yes
63
Facility 63
SC AVG 32
Rank #14 / 232
-A+
Jenni-Lynn Assisted Living
AL
West Columbia
-No
23
Facility 23
SC AVG 32
Rank #152 / 232
-A+
The Blake at Woodcreek Farms
AL
MC
Elgin
100
Facility 100
SC AVG 90
Rank #109 / 309
Yes
17
Facility 17
SC AVG 32
Rank #165 / 232
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 BedA+
Fairforest Grove Senior Living
AL
MC
Columbia (St. Andrews)
66
Facility 66
SC AVG 90
Rank #196 / 309
No
41
Facility 41
SC AVG 32
Rank #81 / 232
StudioA+
Wildewood Downs Retirement Community
AL
IL
MC
NH
Columbia (Williamsburg East)
57
Facility 57
SC AVG 90
Rank #229 / 309
Yes
33
Facility 33
SC AVG 32
Rank #119 / 232
1 Bed / 2 Bed / 3 BedA+
Rice Estate Rehabilitation and Healthcare
AL
HC
IL
MC
NC
NH
RC
Columbia
80
Facility 80
SC AVG 90
Rank #168 / 309
No--A+
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Overview of Palmettos of Parklane

Located in Columbia, South Carolina, The Palmettos of Parklane is a premier senior living provider offering Assisted Living and Memory Care services. With a private and spacious campus, The Palmettos of Parklane provides a comfortable and welcoming environment for its residents. The community features a 75-apartment Assisted Living Community with Memory Care, complete with amenities such as a restaurant-style dining room, landscaped courtyards, and recreational facilities, including a salon.

At The Palmettos of Parklane, the focus is on promoting independence, socialization, and a healthy lifestyle for each resident. This assisted living and memory care community is proud to be owned and operated by National HealthCare Corporation (NHC), a trusted name in senior care since 1971. As a member of the NHC family, The Palmettos gain access to the expertise and resources of a renowned organization founded by a physician. Residents and their families can have peace of mind knowing that they are receiving compassionate care and access to invaluable national expertise at The Palmettos of Parklane. 

Contact Palmettos of Parklane

Spring Oak Lexington

5422 Augusta Rd, Lexington, SC 29072
Overview of Spring Oak Lexington

Spring Oak Lexington is a blissful senior living community located in a quiet neighborhood in Lexington, SC, offering various living options including assisted living, memory care, and short-term stay. Providing a comfortable and safe residence for seniors, the community includes 24-hour assistance from a team of skilled and dedicated professionals. A place where seniors may rest and keep their family’s minds at peace, Spring Oak Lexington Senior Living ensures the happiness and wellness of its residents.

Fostering meaningful connections among its residents, the community conducts enrichment activities and outings. Spring Oak Lexington values the independence and dignity of the residents, providing them with care tailored to their needs. With its eye-pleasing and spacious residences, the community offers care like no other in a family-like environment.

Contact Spring Oak Lexington

Overview of Harmony at Columbia

Three care levels in a single building is a meaningful structural fact. At Harmony at Columbia, independent living, assisted living, and memory care all operate at 2300 Clemson Rd, which means a resident’s care needs can shift without requiring a move. That continuity matters most for families managing progressive conditions, and the dedicated Alzheimer’s unit underscores that this isn’t a token memory care offering.

The community is 4 years old, operated by Columbia Al Operations LLC, and sits 14.6 miles from Columbia’s city center with a hospital under a third of a mile away. The Walk Score of 36 places it firmly in car-dependent territory, though on-site transportation is available. Units run from studios at 280 to 400 square feet up to two-bedrooms reaching 1,218, with 110 beds total across the building. Pets are welcome, and a fitness area is on-site.

What the profile confirms in plain terms: this is a newer community with a broad care range, a dedicated cognitive care unit, and enough space variety to suit residents with different needs and budgets. Harmony at Columbia fits older adults and families who want to make a single placement decision that can hold across multiple care transitions, particularly those anticipating memory care needs down the line.

Contact Harmony at Columbia

Overview of Merrill Gardens at Columbia

Merrill Gardens at Columbia is an assisted living facility located in Columbia, South Carolina, offering independent living and hospice services on-site. The community is part of Merrill Gardens Senior Living, a senior care company, and provides vision care to its residents. The costs at Merrill Gardens at Columbia start at $3,225 and range up to $6,585, with the average price being $4,905, which is more than the average cost of assisted living in the area. The community is pet-friendly, and while South Carolina requires three meals to be provided per day, it can accommodate vegan or vegetarian diets.

Residents at Merrill Gardens at Columbia are required to have a scheduled, structured activity every day, and the community offers a variety of activities, including musical performances and social outings. The facility is located near five hospitals, with the two closest being Palmetto Health Richland and Palmetto Health Baptist, and has above-average reviews for the area. Merrill Gardens at Columbia offers 120 independent living and assisted living apartments, with concierge services, scheduled transportation, 24-hour staffing, and weekly housekeeping. The community features a variety of amenities, including a pet-friendly environment, pool, fitness programs, outdoor areas, and social outings, allowing residents to choose from a range of options to suit their individual needs and preferences.

Contact Merrill Gardens at Columbia

Overview of Brookdale Columbia

Nestled within the charming city of Columbia, South Carolina, Brookdale Columbia offers a vibrant assisted living community that resembles a destination resort. Residents can savor the freedom and independence they deserve, with a care team available to assist with daily living tasks like bathing, dressing, and medication management. The community handles the cooking, cleaning, and household chores, allowing residents to spend more time pursuing their passions.

Spacious accommodations, common rooms, and luxury amenities such as an on-campus beauty salon, library, and fireside living room create a resort-like atmosphere. Residents can explore Columbia’s rich history, thriving arts and culture scene, and abundant outdoor activities. The community’s activities calendar offers opportunities to connect with neighbors, from walking clubs and Bible studies to competitive card games and excursions. Residents can also enjoy delicious, restaurant-style dining with daily menu options tailored to their preferences.

Contact Brookdale Columbia

Overview of Brookdale Harbison

Nestled in the heart of Columbia, South Carolina, Brookdale Harbison offers an assisted living community where residents can pursue their best life. The community provides personalized service plans, restaurant-style dining, elegant accommodations, and a fun-filled community calendar. Brookdale Harbison utilizes the InTouch system to tailor activities for both large and small groups, allowing residents to communicate with friends and relatives who cannot visit.

Residents can also take virtual trips around the world and keep up with their hometowns. The community offers a fun-filled calendar with walking clubs, movie nights, fitness classes, and more, as well as private residences for peace and quiet. Brookdale Harbison’s staff can handle household chores like cleaning and laundry, and 24/7 emergency assistance is available. Residents can enjoy the city’s thriving arts scene, world-class museums, and delicious southern cuisine, all while being close to medical facilities like Prisma Health Richland Hospital and Palmetto Health Baptist Hospital.

Contact Brookdale Harbison

Overview of The Legacy of Lexington

Burrowed in the quiet place of Lexington, SC, the Legacy of Lexington is an enticing senior living community offering assisted living services. Here, residents can select from a wide array of spacious and comfortable accommodations ranging from one-bedroom to two-bedroom and suite. With its highly skilled and hardworking team, this community offers an emergency response system and 24/7 personalized care services.

With its top-tier amenities and other services, residents can enjoy delectable meals and snacks daily, weekly housekeeping and laundry services, in-house maintenance services, and free transportation to all professional services. Engage in diverse social activities and community events. Meet new companions and share meaningful memories within the beautiful spaces of this community. At the Legacy of Lexington, seniors are guaranteed a wonderful retirement.

Contact The Legacy of Lexington

Laurel Crest

100 Joseph Walker Dr, West Columbia, SC 29169
Overview of Laurel Crest

Laurel Crest is a luxurious retirement community where management promotes a lifestyle based on the choices of its residents, who can choose from various social opportunities in and out of the community. Offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing services– this premier continuum of care community ensures residents’ living experience is centered on wellness and independence. Laurel Crest provides an excellent lifestyle for seniors with a touch of elegance in West Columbia.

This community encourages residents to maintain an active and comfortable lifestyle while cultivating connections between fellow seniors and the professional staff. They offer a fitness center, outdoor common areas, recreational space, engaging activities, and enriching programs that create friendships and help residents thrive. Its rehabilitative services include physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Home care services are also available for those who prefer to receive quality care at the comfort of their own residences.

Contact Laurel Crest

Overview of Mill Creek Manor

Welcome to Mill Creek Manor, a premier senior living community in Columbia, South Carolina. Located near Sesquicentennial Park, Mill Creek Manor offers a range of living options, including Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. Residents can enjoy an active and fulfilling lifestyle in a beautiful setting.

The community features spacious living areas, delightful dining experiences, and a calendar of special events. For those needing additional support, Mill Creek Manor offers assisted living services, including medication management and personalized care. With a focus on maintaining family and social relationships, Mill Creek Manor provides a warm and welcoming environment where residents receive exceptional care tailored to their unique needs. Discover the comfort and vibrant lifestyle that Mill Creek Manor has to offer.

Contact Mill Creek Manor

Overview of Atria Forest Lake

Atria Forest Lake offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care. They undoubtedly provide the highest quality of care. Management makes it a point that seniors are given the freedom and choice given to each resident and ensures that they attend to the unique needs of each individual with kindness and compassion. They understand that an enriching senior living experience begins with the right lifestyle that suits your needs– while encouraging residents to still live freely on their own terms while receiving the necessary support. Atria Forest Lake has been one of the trailblazers in reinventing the approach to senior living– modern and innovative care.

Atria Forest Lake is a branch of the renowned Atria senior living group. Rest assured that residents are able to experience their array of amenities such as a garden, a salon, and a cafe bistro; along with services such as transportation, housekeeping, and laundry– to name a few of the features that residents from both living options get unlimited access. 

Contact Atria Forest Lake

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Resident Experience
  • 25%
    Regulatory
  • 15%
    Visual Media
  • 10%
    Website
  • 10%
    Stability
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Resident & Family Experience 35%

The single largest share of every ranking. Aggregated review sentiment and volume from major platforms — the closest signal to real resident experience.

  • Includes
  • Review Sentiment
  • Review Volume
02

Regulatory & Safety Record 25%

State inspection records, citations, and complaint visits. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • State Inspections
  • Citations/Inspection
  • % Inspections w/ Citations
  • Complaint Visits
  • Accreditations
  • BBB Rating
03

Visual Media & Transparency 15%

Communities that publish high-quality visuals give families a real preview. No photos or tours = a negative transparency signal.

  • Includes
  • Video Tours
  • Virtual Walkthroughs
  • Photo Quantity
  • Photo Quality
04

Website & Operator Transparency 10%

Site quality and whether the operator publishes basic accountability information — staff names, contact details, ownership.

  • Includes
  • Website Content
  • Mobile Usability
  • Staff Info Available
  • Owner Info Available
05

Community Stability 10%

Operational signals indicating whether a community is well-run and meeting demand.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy Rate
  • Bed Options
06

Environment & Pricing 5%

Walkability and pricing transparency. Walk Score is weighted higher for Independent Living than for Memory Care, where most residents do not leave unaccompanied.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • Pricing Transparency
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Frequently Asked Questions about Assisted Living in Columbia, SC

What's the difference between assisted living and memory care in South Carolina?

Assisted living in South Carolina supports residents with daily activities (bathing, dressing, medication management) while preserving independence. Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living for residents living with Alzheimer's or dementia, and adds 24/7 secured environments, dementia-trained staff, and structured routines designed to reduce confusion and wandering.

What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in South Carolina?

Assisted living in South Carolina is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.

Does South Carolina Medicaid cover assisted living?

South Carolina Medicaid does not directly pay room-and-board for assisted living, but most states (including South Carolina) offer Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers that can offset the cost of care services delivered inside a licensed community. Eligibility, waitlists, and covered services vary — check directly with the state Medicaid agency.

What is assisted living?

Assisted living combines private or semi-private apartments with help on activities of daily living (meals, bathing, dressing, medication management) and a social calendar — for residents who need some support but do not need 24/7 medical care.

How many assisted living facilities are listed on this page?

This page features 19 assisted living facilities in Columbia, SC. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right assisted living facility in Columbia, SC?

Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in Columbia, SC, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.

What should I look for when visiting assisted living facilities in Columbia, SC?

Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.