Assisted Living in North Carolina: What Does It Cost and Why?

Updated on 9/10/2024

If you’ve been shopping around for assisted living facilities in North Carolina, either for yourself or for a loved one, you already know you have variety of communities, locations, and even landscapes to choose from. North Carolina is known for its varied landscapes. On the Atlantic coast, the state features 300 miles of barrier island beaches. Its western section is made up of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains, including portions of the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The central region is home to North Carolina’s largest cities, like Charlotte and Greensboro, and the vibrant college cities of Raleigh and Durham. So, whether you’re living in the city, on the coast, or in the mountains, North Carolina is a great choice for you or your loved one.

What Does It Cost?

According to the 2024 Genworth Cost of Care Study , the monthly median cost of a private, one-bedroom accommodation in an assisted living facility in North Carolina is $5,769. This comes to about $69,225 annually. This rate is higher than average for the United States, with the country’s monthly median rate coming in at $5,350. However, this price does vary widely around the state. The median monthly rate for one bedroom in an assisted living facility in Burlington, for example, is $8,603, and in Fayetteville, the monthly median rate is only $2,750.

What Do You Get?

Assisted living in North Carolina means facilities that provide individualized care to residents who need help with daily living like help with medication, bathing, dressing, and other daily needs, but who don’t require constant skilled medical care. Most assisted living residents are in their mid-80s, which is the fastest growing segment of the country’s population – those people 85 and older.

Living facilities also strive to provide home-like accommodations. Residents can expect three meals a day, transportation, and access to campus amenities and activities, which vary by facility. Some communities may offer specialized services like Alzheimer’s care or other memory care services.

What Determines Your Cost?

The cost of assisted living in North Carolina is affected by location of the community and the services and amenities offered. In the state, on average, the more expensive facilities are in the larger cities, such as in the Research Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill). The monthly median rate for a room in an assisted living facility in Raleigh (population of 488,000) is $6,224, higher than the statewide median monthly rate of $5,769. In Fayetteville (with a population of 209,000) however, the median monthly rate is only $2,750.

The amenities offered by different facilities also affect the cost. For example, some communities set themselves apart by offering larger rooms and more appealing common areas – living rooms with fireplaces and fresh flowers, for example. Other facilities feature amenities like on-site arts and crafts studios, flexible dining options, and upscale, gated grounds. You may also pay more for facilities that offer more medical services. Facilities that employ more medical staff like RNs or feature specialized care like memory care will probably have a higher price tag.

How Do You Make Your Choice?

The best way to find out which assisted living facility is the right fit for you or your loved one is to visit the community. In fact, it’s best to visit several communities so you can compare the atmosphere and services provided. Researching communities online is a great start, and so is talking to directors and representatives on the phone. But you can’t know if a facility is really the right one for you unless you tour the community. It’s a good idea to visit more than once. Do it at different times during the day, so you can really get a good feel for the community.

Related resources on Seniors Guide:

Assisted Living in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Assisted Living in Durham, North Carolina

Find out more about assisted living here!

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