Senior living in North Carolina
North Carolina, or the Tar Heel State, can be an excellent place for you to retire. There's a lot to do in this city. Of course, North Carolina has you covered if you want to live by the ocean. But, if you're going to retire to the mountains, North Carolina has that. The state is known for its hot summers, cold winters, and good times. The state is also known for its cost of living. These costs can be lower than in the rest of the country. Read below as we break down the cost of living in North Carolina compared to the rest of the country.
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Cost of living in North Carolina
Overall, North Carolina is a state where living costs are over 5 points more than the national average. North Carolina is cheaper than the national average in all departments, including rent, though not by much. However, housing is almost 10 points less than the average, with a median home cost of over $100k less. So if you're looking to retire to a lovely home in the state, you're in luck, as North Carolina can be cheap. Depending on where you live, the cost of living can be even more affordable, so do your research to find the best place for you to settle in North Carolina.
Cost-of-living indices
100 = US average. Higher means more expensive.
- Overall
- 94.9
- Grocery
- 97.4
- Housing
- 91.8
- Utilities
- 97.2
- Transportation
- 95.1
- Misc.
- 99.2
Housing & rent
Statewide medians and averages.
- Median home
- $172,500
- Average rent
- $907
- Studio
- $873
- 1 bedroom
- $863
- 2 bedroom
- $948
- 3 bedroom
- $1,140
Care levels in North Carolina
Whether you're comparing options for a parent or planning ahead for yourself, here's where to start by care level.
- AL
Assisted Living
Assisted living provides personal care, meals, and daily support for seniors who need help with everyday tasks but not full medical supervision.
- MC
Memory Care
Memory care is a specialized type of senior living for people with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or other cognitive decline.
- IL
Independent Living
Independent living is community housing for active seniors who want amenities, social life, and freedom from home upkeep without daily personal-care services.
- HC
Home Care
Home care brings personal-care services and companionship into the senior's own home rather than moving them into a community.
- SNF
Nursing Homes
A skilled nursing facility (SNF, often called a nursing home) provides 24-hour licensed medical care and rehabilitation for seniors with serious health conditions.
- SA
Senior Apartments
Senior apartments are age-restricted rental homes - typically for residents 55+ or 62+ - designed for older adults who live independently.
Browse by city
Popular cities in North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC75 communities
- Raleigh, NC65 communities
- Greensboro, NC39 communities
- Winston Salem, NC37 communities
- Asheville, NC34 communities
- Durham, NC31 communities
- Burlington, NC30 communities
- Fayetteville, NC30 communities
- Hendersonville, NC29 communities
- Goldsboro, NC26 communities
- Wilmington, NC25 communities
- Cary, NC24 communities
Hand-picked from our directory
Top assisted living in North Carolina
Brighton Gardens Of Greensboro
Greensboro, NC
4.1 · 41 reviews
The Haven & The Laurels In The Village At Carolina Place
Pineville, NC
4.2 · 39 reviews
Brookdale North Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
4.3 · 35 reviews
Brookdale Carriage Club Providence
Charlotte, NC
3.6 · 33 reviews
Sunrise Of Cary
Cary, NC
3.2 · 31 reviews
Brookdale Hendersonville East
Hendersonville, NC
4.1 · 30 reviews
Caregivers who come to you
Top home care in North Carolina
Local pricing
Assisted living monthly cost by city in North Carolina
Median monthly cost of assisted living, sourced from public data. Actual community pricing varies by apartment size, level of care, and amenities.
| City | Avg. monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Aberdeen | $6,113.00 |
| Advance | $6,010.00 |
| Ahoskie | $6,010.00 |
| Alamance | $6,010.00 |
| Albemarle | $6,010.00 |
| Albertson | $5,955.00 |
| Alexander | $5,928.00 |
| Alexis | $5,272.00 |
| Alliance | $4,999.00 |
| Almond | $4,917.00 |
| Altamahaw | $4,917.00 |
| Andrews | $4,887.00 |
| Angier | $4,753.00 |
| Ansonville | $4,521.00 |
| Apex | $4,370.00 |
| Arapahoe | $4,261.00 |
| Ararat | $4,020.00 |
Common questions about senior living in North Carolina
- What types of senior care are available in North Carolina?
- North Carolina has communities offering assisted living, memory care, independent living, home care, and skilled nursing. Larger metros have more depth of options across all care levels; smaller markets may have fewer choices in any single category.
- How much does assisted living cost in North Carolina?
- Assisted living costs in North Carolina vary widely by metro, apartment size, and the resident's level of care. The national median is roughly $5,000 per month; major metros tend to run higher and rural areas lower. Each community sets its own pricing - request a written cost breakdown when you tour.
- Does North Carolina Medicaid pay for assisted living?
- Medicaid does not pay for room-and-board in assisted living, but North Carolina's Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver may cover some assisted-living services for eligible residents. Coverage and eligibility vary - check directly with your state's Medicaid agency or an elder-law attorney.
- How do I evaluate a nursing home in North Carolina?
- Start with the CMS 5-star rating on Medicare.gov for any Medicare-certified facility, then look at the underlying staffing data and the most recent state inspection report. Tour the facility, watch staff interact with residents, and ask about staffing levels during evenings and overnight.
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