In North Carolina, assisted living communities offer older adults a comfortable, supportive environment. As a Southern state famous for its diverse geography and culture, North Carolina offers plenty of charm and individuality. From stunning beaches in Kitty Hawk to the Biltmore House in Asheville, seniors in North Carolina can expect to pay $4,449 per month on average for assisted living.
They truly care about their residents and have been good about our concerns about our family member. They have also been supportive of our mother and reassuring of fears and concerns.
The community is just beautiful. Such a nice environment staff and management have put together. Very caring staff. Good food and fun activities.
My father loves the facility and employees. My sister said the rooms are clean. The only problem was the 12 month wait. I understand most of that is out of your hands, but we were scrambling towards the end...
Great place just priced us out. I would recommend it, but be aware of the increase. I haven't been there since new ownership.
It is a small facility but feels like home and I would highly recommend this assisted living facility. All the staff from the director to the front desk, to the kitchen staff, to medical/nursing staff, every...
I would recommend to others. It was a great experience and I'm grateful for A Place for Mom and the many communities that responded with kindness and empathy during a stressful time. They are welcoming and...
I'm glad my mom spent her last days at Brighton, it wasn't my first choice but it was my best choice and I'm glad we moved her there. I would recommend it
I would recommend PP; but my stepmother thinks the food is lacking in preparation and variety. I think the staff is very good and the facilities well maintained.
The facility is on the small side, feels very homey, staff is extremely pleasant and helpful. They are very encouraging to the residents to be involved in the different activities.
We have mostly been happy with the community. Outings are great and my father in law is definitely more active than he used to be. Staff has been very good and residents seem happy. Biggest suggestion would...
The staff listens and adheres to family concerns and addresses them in a timely manner. Cleanliness is exceptional, and food is very good...overall extremely pleased with Spring Arbor.
For the most part it as advertised. Food is not what was advertised. Some improvements have been made. They still have a way to go to get what we are paying for.
Positive-Happy staff, very caring, great medical oversight Negative-many clothes lost despite name on all, she has many clothes that show up in closet, not hers, no name in them. Dressed in those clothes...
Morningside of Raleigh was absolutely amazing. They were all so caring and helpful...they enjoyed my mother just as much as she enjoyed them.
What we like the most about the community is the STAFF, location, appearance, and care of residents. Yes, we would recommend this community to other families.
The average cost of assisted living in North Carolina is $4,449 per month or $53,388 per year, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. That’s about $370 less expensive than the national average. These figures reflect base room and board rates at our partner communities. The cost of assisted living can vary based on location, the size and floor plan of the apartment, what kind of amenities are offered, and care needs.
When compared to its neighbors, the cost of assisted living in North Carolina is lower than it is in Virginia, and higher than it is in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee. Costs vary throughout the state as well, with costs in Raleigh averaging $1,100 more per month than the state average.[01] In the Appalachian mountains, the artsy city of Asheville offers around $100 in savings, or head to the Outer Banks town of Southern Shores for a more significant savings.
For seniors who can complete activities of daily living on their own, independent living can save you $730 per month on average over assisted living costs.
Read more:Assisted Living vs. Independent Living: What’s the Difference?
Average monthly costs
North Carolina
US National average
Average monthly costs
North Carolina
South Carolina
Virginia
West Virginia
District of Columbia
Average monthly costs
Average monthly costs
| Community type | North Carolina | U.S. | Cost difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assisted Living | $4,507/mo | $4,861/mo | 7.3% below national median |
| Memory Care | $5,348/mo | $5,639/mo | 5.2% below national median |
| Independent Living | $3,745/mo | $4,252/mo | 11.9% below national median |
Let our care assessment guide you
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
The average cost of assisted living in North Carolina is $4,449 per month or $53,388 per year, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. That’s about $370 less expensive than the national average. These figures reflect base room and board rates at our partner communities. The cost of assisted living can vary based on location, the size and floor plan of the apartment, what kind of amenities are offered, and care needs.
When compared to its neighbors, the cost of assisted living in North Carolina is lower than it is in Virginia, and higher than it is in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee. Costs vary throughout the state as well, with costs in Raleigh averaging $1,100 more per month than the state average.[01] In the Appalachian mountains, the artsy city of Asheville offers around $100 in savings, or head to the Outer Banks town of Southern Shores for a more significant savings.
For seniors who can complete activities of daily living on their own, independent living can save you $730 per month on average over assisted living costs.
Read more:Assisted Living vs. Independent Living: What’s the Difference?
In North Carolina, the Division of Health Service Regulation within the Department of Health and Human Services oversees assisted living communities, formally known as assisted living residences (ALRs). The state recognizes two types of ALRs. Both must provide at least one daily meal, housekeeping, and personal care services. The distinction between the two categories depends on how services are delivered and whether they’re licensed or only need to register with the state.
North Carolina maintains a facility search tool that provides information about inspections, deficiencies, and penalties for ACHs. The state also publishes a list of registered MAHSs that includes information about negative actions against the facility.
State regulations — and a community’s track record with inspections and licensing — offer important insights into safety and quality of care in senior living communities.
Download the Guide to Senior Living Licensure and Inspection Reports to learn what to look for in inspection reports and what questions to ask when touring communities. This resource explains how to use state licensure and inspection information to evaluate a community’s compliance, care standards, and responsiveness to issues.
Let our care assessment guide you
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
A Place for Mom. (2026). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
NCDHHS NC Medicaid Division of Health Benefits. (2025, Sept. 4). Personal Care Services (PCS).
NCDHHS NC Medicaid Division of Health Benefits. (2025, Aug. 5). Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA).
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Get started with Medicare. Medicare.gov.
NC Division of Health Service Regulation. General statute 131D-2.1. Multi-unit assisted housing with services.
NC Division of Health Service Regulation. An overview of adult home care regulation in North Carolina
Overview of assisted living in NC
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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