ElderCarePeek

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

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

North Carolina

$8,304/mo

Nursing home (private room)

Senior population: 17%

Pennsylvania

$10,068/mo

Nursing home (private room)

Senior population: 18.7%

Which State is More Affordable for Senior Care?

North Carolina has lower nursing home costs by $1,764/month ($21,168/year). Over 5 years, that's a difference of $105,840.

Detailed Cost Comparison

Care TypeNorth CarolinaPennsylvaniaDifference
Nursing Home (Private)$8,304/mo$10,068/mo$1,764
Nursing Home (Semi-Private)$7,452/mo$9,050/mo$1,598
Assisted Living$4,250/mo$4,500/mo$250
Home Health Aide$23.00/hr$25.00/hr$2.00
Adult Day Care$1,517/mo$1,733/mo$216
Homemaker Services$21.00/hr$23.00/hr$2.00

Annual Cost Comparison

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

Pennsylvania Annual Costs

Nursing Home (Private)$120,816/yr
Assisted Living$54,000/yr
Home Health Aide (8hr/day)$52,800/yr
Adult Day Care$20,796/yr

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which state has cheaper nursing homes: North Carolina or Pennsylvania?
North Carolina has lower nursing home costs. North Carolina averages $8,304/month while Pennsylvania averages $10,068/month, a difference of $1,764/month.
How do assisted living costs compare between North Carolina and Pennsylvania?
Assisted living in North Carolina costs $4,250/month compared to $4,500/month in Pennsylvania.
What about home health aide costs?
Home health aides charge $23.00/hour in North Carolina and $25.00/hour in Pennsylvania.
Which state has better Medicaid coverage for senior care?
Both states offer Medicaid coverage for nursing home care. North Carolina: North Carolina Medicaid covers nursing facility care. Community Alternatives Program waivers available.... Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Medicaid covers nursing home care. LIFE program and aging waiver for community services....

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