Document Type
Research Report
Publication Date
3-2026
Keywords
Elder Economic Security Standard Index, Elder Index, income, older adults, affordable housing, health care
Disciplines
Demography, Population, and Ecology | Gerontology | Public Policy | Quantitative, Qualitative, Comparative, and Historical Methodologies | Social Welfare
Abstract
The Elder Index illustrates how living costs vary geographically (specifically, by county, metropolitan area, and state), and based on the characteristics of households. Costs are calculated based on household size (one person age 65 or older, two persons age 65 or older), housing tenure (owner with no mortgage, renter, owner with a mortgage), and health status (excellent, good, poor). The expenses included in the Elder Index cover basic needs of older households, including shelter, medical care, food, and transportation; the costs reflect average market costs and do not take into account any needs-based subsidies. The Elder Index helps answer important questions about what it takes to financially support independent living in later life. For example, what is an adequate income for older adult households to age in place? How does cost of living vary according to life circumstances: whether one is living alone or with a spouse, renting or owning a home? How do older adults’ living costs change as health status changes?
For two decades, the Elder Index has been produced and disseminated by the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Elder Index values are calculated for a total of 18 different scenarios, and for all 50 states, 387 metropolitan areas, and 3,144 counties and county-equivalents in the United States. The Elder Index is updated annually and distributed through a dedicated online portal at https://elderindex.org/ .
The purpose of this report is to describe the rationale and assumptions used in designing the Elder Index. Methodological features of the Elder Index are also described, and illustrated using selected components of the 2025 Elder Index calculations.
Recommended Citation
Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging, University of Massachusetts Boston; Mutchler, Jan; Velasco Roldan, Nidya; Ward, Michelle; Somerville, Ceara; and Coyle, Caitlin E., "The Elder Economic Security Standard™ Index: Methodology Overview" (2026). Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications. 116.
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/demographyofaging/116
Included in
Demography, Population, and Ecology Commons, Gerontology Commons, Public Policy Commons, Quantitative, Qualitative, Comparative, and Historical Methodologies Commons, Social Welfare Commons
Comments
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