
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.

The staff are so friendly and attentive and truly act more like concierge in a high end hotel than assisted living workers. Their care is exceptional and the food is delicious , which is not something I’d...
5 stars for sure - the staff is great, they have tons of activities, everything is new and spotless and the apartment my mom is in is a great size.
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.
Everything was clean and Mom really liked the staff. They were very friendly and it appeared they had plenty of caregivers. My only issue was there were a few times they did not make sure that my mom didn't...
Great place just priced us out. I would recommend it, but be aware of the increase. I haven't been there since new ownership.
The CNA care is mixed, with some good and some not, and response time can be an issue. The activities are amazing and frequent. The facility is beautiful, in good repair, and very clean. The apartments are...
We visited Brighton Gardens a couple of times as we explored options for my mom. The staff (including sales, consierge, activities director, nurse, and executive director) were very helpful, patiently...
Overall Pruitt lace is great. There are plenty of activities and outings that seem to fit various interests. Staffing levels are good and the facilities are well cared for. Sometimes communication can be hit...
We chose Harmony at Brookberry because of the floor plan. The apartment has 2 bathrooms,2 bedrooms,living area and small kitchen with fridge and microwave. The facility is always clean. Staff is very...
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.
Overall I have been satisfied. Most of the staff is friendly and helpful. Food is usually good. Apartment size for an assisted living facility is good. I would recommend
Every employee I've interacted with has been kind, helpful, and caring. My only concern has been the food. My mother has complained about it consistently, although she tends to be picky about food no matter...
I started with the Sunrise group and viewed multiple facilities. Another competitor recommended Terra Bella group. Morningside was the second facility that I toured in that group and selected. Very nice...
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 | $6,196/mo | $5,830/mo | 6.3% above national average |
| Memory Care | $7,410/mo | $6,999/mo | 5.9% above national average |
| Independent Living | $3,534/mo | $3,520/mo | 0.4% above national average |
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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