Merrill Gardens at Tacoma Costs & Pricing
Merrill Gardens at Tacoma offers competitive pricing compared to the broader market of Pierce County and the state of Washington, making it a compelling option for those seeking senior living accommodations. The cost for a semi-private room is notably lower at $2,500 per month, significantly undercutting both the county and state averages of approximately $4,264 and $4,267, respectively. Private rooms are available for $3,000, also well below local and state averages that reach up to $4,772. Studio apartments present exceptional value as well, ranging from $3,100 to $3,250 - again below the surrounding area's average costs. Even one-bedroom units priced at $3,990 remain attractive when compared to Pierce County's average of $4,456 or Washington state's higher figure of $4,632. Interestingly, while two-bedroom options at Merrill Gardens are priced at $5,400 and exceed both local ($4,129) and state ($4,301) averages, they still provide a unique offering tailored to those needing more space. Overall, Merrill Gardens positions itself as a financially savvy choice within its community context.
| Floor plans | Merrill Gardens at Tacoma | Pierce County | Washington |
|---|
| Semi-Private | $2,500 | $4,264 | $4,272 |
| Private | $3,000 | $4,623 | $4,774 |
| Studio | $3,100 to $3,250 | $4,039 | $4,128 |
| 1 Bedroom | $3,990 | $4,456 | $4,634 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $5,400 | $4,129 | $4,301 |
Memory care communities with a similar price nearby
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About the same
Freedom Care
$2,500 to $3,000 / month
20.6 miles away
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from -$163 / mo
Marine Courte Memory Care
$2,337 to $3,228 / month
23.5 miles away
-
from +$150 / mo
Heritage House Buckley
$2,650 to $3,250 / month
23.6 miles away
-
About the same
Merrill Gardens at Renton Centre
$2,495 to $5,475 / month
22.5 miles away
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from -$230 / mo
Franke Tobey Jones - Retirement Estates
$2,270 to $6,270 / month
4.0 miles away
Overall Review of Merrill Gardens at Tacoma
differentiator
22 reviews mention this
Dining feels restaurant-style
Dining is described as restaurant-quality with lots of choices.
Multiple residents and family members talk about the food as delicious, nutritious, and varied. Several specifically mention restaurant-style dining, servers learning preferences, and the convenience of eating when they want. A few reviews also call out recent declines, like food not arriving hot, showing that the experience isnât uniformly consistent.
common
45 reviews mention this
Staff support stands out
Residents and families frequently describe the staff as caring and responsive.
Across the reviews, people describe warm, friendly staff who are dependable and willing to help with day-to-day needs and questions. Families also mention staff support during transitions and special moments, including help planning gatherings and arranging private space for events. There are also a small number of negative experiences, including concerns about attention to requests, assistance with specific medical needs, and in one case, medication response timing.
common
26 reviews mention this
Activities keep residents engaged
Residents say there are plenty of activities to stay involved.
Many reviews highlight scheduled activities, entertainment, and opportunities to socialize, including off-site outings and trips. Several mention fitness classes and group activities, and some describe how busy the calendar feels compared with living alone. A few reviews note limitations, like feeling bored or finding the activity level not what they were hoping for, and one mentions most socializing centers around TV or bingo.
common
18 reviews mention this
Clean spaces and outdoor areas
Reviews repeatedly mention the community feels clean and well kept.
Several residents and visitors describe the building as immaculate, clean, and well maintained, with grounds and outdoor areas that feel pleasant. Others also describe the facility as bright and attractive, including indoor common spaces and an easy-to-enjoy environment. A few caveats appear around maintenance details and unit-related issues, like an apartment feature not being handled as promised.
differentiator
12 reviews mention this
Care feels available when needed
Residents mention being well cared for, with nursing support described as dependable.
Some reviews directly describe nursing care as supportive and residents feeling âin good hands,â especially for assisted living needs. Others reference help coordinating care, including daily assistance and support for health-related routines. There are also concerns in a minority of reviews, such as inconsistent handling of a parentâs needs, lack of help with insulin for one residentâs situation, and disputes about how incidents were managed.
caveat
10 reviews mention this
Price and availability are recurring
Cost and limited availability come up frequently in reviews.
Several families call the community expensive, including comments that it was too pricey for their situation or that add-on care costs became higher than expected. Availability is also mentioned, with some noting a waiting list or no immediate vacancy. A few reviews also connect the pricing to what feels bundled into the monthly fee, but that doesnât resolve concerns for everyone.
How we summarize
Counts show how many written reviews mention each theme; a review can touch several themes, and only frequently mentioned themes are displayed.