Assisted living in North Carolina

What North Carolina licenses — and why this total isn’t comparable to another state’s

There is no national definition of “assisted living.” Each state decides what it licenses and what to call it, so a state total counts whatever that state chose to license — state counts on this site are not comparable to each other, and a bigger number does not mean more assisted living. Here that total is:

• 568 Adult care home — larger adult care homes
• 515 Family care home — small residential homes in a private house

515 of these (47%) are licensed for 6 beds or fewer — residential homes rather than the apartment-style communities most families picture. They are real licensed care and we list them, but filter by beds if that is not what you are looking for.

Estimated cost range · regional

In North Carolina, assisted living typically runs about $5,200–$7,800/month.

This is a regional estimate modeled from published survey data (the CareScout/Genworth state median, ±20%) — not this community’s actual price, which it sets privately. Ask the community for its current all-in monthly rate and what each care level adds.

Paying with Medicaid

North Carolina Medicaid helps pay for assisted living only in limited circumstances — through a waiver, and not everywhere in the state or for everyone who qualifies.

The North Carolina waiver that can pay for it:

• Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA) — covers in-home personal care / adult day health / home modifications

North Carolina runs a waiting list for this waiver. Qualifying does not mean a place is funded — apply as early as you can, before you need it.

In North Carolina: apply or check eligibility ↗.

A waiver pays for care, not for rent. Even where the state covers assisted-living services, room and board is still the resident’s to pay. Full eligibility limits — income, assets, the look-back — are on our North Carolina Medicaid page.