Elder Care Cost: North Carolina vs Virginia (2026)
North Carolina assisted living runs $4,100/month — $800/month less than Virginia's $4,900/month. That's $9,600/year.
North Carolina
$4,100
assisted living/month
-$400 vs national avg
Virginia
$4,900
assisted living/month
+$400 vs national avg
North Carolina vs Virginia — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | North Carolina | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Assisted Living | $4,100/mo ✓ | $4,900/mo |
| Nursing Home — Private Room | $8,943/mo ✓ | $9,490/mo |
| Nursing Home — Semi-Private | $7,848/mo ✓ | $8,395/mo |
| In-Home Aide (44 hrs/week) | $4,767/mo ✓ | $5,148/mo |
| Adult Day Care | $1,408/mo ✓ | $1,625/mo |
Source: Genworth/CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2024–2025. Statewide medians — metro areas typically run 15–30% higher.
Annual Cost Difference
For assisted living, North Carolina costs $49,200/year vs Virginia's $58,800/year.
Monthly gap
$800
Annual gap
$9,600
2-year care
$19,200
% difference
20%
Assisted living only. Nursing home gap: $547/month ($6,564/year).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is elder care cheaper in North Carolina or Virginia?
North Carolina is cheaper for assisted living at $4,100/month, vs. $4,900/month in Virginia — a $800/month gap. North Carolina comes out ahead on 5 of 5 care categories.
How do nursing home costs compare between these states?
A private nursing home room in North Carolina runs $8,943/month vs. $9,490/month in Virginia. The national median is $9,733/month.
How do both states compare to the national average?
The national average for assisted living is $4,500/month. North Carolina is $400 below the national average, and Virginia is $400 above.
Do costs vary within each state?
Yes. Metro areas typically run 15–30% above the statewide median shown here. Statewide averages are useful for comparing states, but actual costs depend heavily on the specific city or county.
Related Comparisons
See full breakdown: Elder care in North Carolina · Elder care in Virginia · All state comparisons · Cost by state (all 50)