The Link Between Affordable Transportation and Living Independently

Key Takeaways:

• Most older adults (77%) want to “age in place,” remaining in their homes and communities. Yet 63% of adults are concerned about their ability to live independently as they age.
• Access to affordable, reliable transportation is crucial for older adults—especially the 43% of adults age 65+ who live alone and depend on a personal vehicle.
• Transportation costs for single older adults vary significantly nationwide, from a high of $4,080 per year in Vermont to a low of $2,796 per year in New Jersey. The national average is $3,240 per year.
• Nearly 4 million households headed by adults 65+ do not have access to a vehicle—an indicator of cost pressures and mobility barriers.
• States across the country are adopting Multisector Plans for Aging to build coordinated systems that support the growing older adult population, including strategies to improve transportation access.