ElderCarePeek

Kentucky vs North Carolina: Senior Care Cost Comparison (2026)

Side-by-side comparison of nursing home, assisted living, and home care costs.

Kentucky

$7,756/mo

Nursing home (private room)

Senior population: 17%

North Carolina

$8,304/mo

Nursing home (private room)

Senior population: 17%

Which State is More Affordable for Senior Care?

Kentucky has lower nursing home costs by $548/month ($6,576/year). Over 5 years, that's a difference of $32,880.

Detailed Cost Comparison

Care TypeKentuckyNorth CarolinaDifference
Nursing Home (Private)$7,756/mo$8,304/mo$548
Nursing Home (Semi-Private)$6,935/mo$7,452/mo$517
Assisted Living$3,750/mo$4,250/mo$500
Home Health Aide$22.00/hr$23.00/hr$1.00
Adult Day Care$1,300/mo$1,517/mo$217
Homemaker Services$20.00/hr$21.00/hr$1.00

Annual Cost Comparison

Kentucky Annual Costs

Nursing Home (Private)$93,072/yr
Assisted Living$45,000/yr
Home Health Aide (8hr/day)$46,464/yr
Adult Day Care$15,600/yr

North Carolina Annual Costs

Nursing Home (Private)$99,648/yr
Assisted Living$51,000/yr
Home Health Aide (8hr/day)$48,576/yr
Adult Day Care$18,204/yr

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which state has cheaper nursing homes: Kentucky or North Carolina?
Kentucky has lower nursing home costs. Kentucky averages $7,756/month while North Carolina averages $8,304/month, a difference of $548/month.
How do assisted living costs compare between Kentucky and North Carolina?
Assisted living in Kentucky costs $3,750/month compared to $4,250/month in North Carolina.
What about home health aide costs?
Home health aides charge $22.00/hour in Kentucky and $23.00/hour in North Carolina.
Which state has better Medicaid coverage for senior care?
Both states offer Medicaid coverage for nursing home care. Kentucky: Kentucky Medicaid covers nursing home care. Home and Community Based waiver (HCB) available for eligible seniors.... North Carolina: North Carolina Medicaid covers nursing facility care. Community Alternatives Program waivers available....

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Data verified March 2026 · Source: Genworth Cost of Care Survey