Assisted Living Communities in Forest City, North Carolina

The 2024 Genworth Cost of Care Survey reports assisted living rates of approximately $3,975 per month in Forest City. This cost falls about $1,800 below North Carolina’s norm and compares favorably to rates in nearby communities. For example, care costs in Hickory track are notably higher at around $5,725, and in Winston, assisted living residents pay roughly $6,200 for care.

Assisted living communities in Forest City charge a baseline rate of $3,975 per month.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in North Carolina page.

Assisted living in Forest City costs around $3,975 monthly. This saves seniors almost $1,000 over the cost of home health care and less than half the cost of nursing home care, which runs around $8,699 for shared units. However, seniors who opt for adult day health care pay lower rates of about $1,560.

All assisted living communities in Forest City, also called adult care homes, obtain licensing through the North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation. This division sets minimum housing, care and staffing standards. Additionally, Rutherford County’s Department of Social Services monitors these facilities and promotes high-quality care for residents.  

• North Carolina taxes most forms of retirement income at a flat rate of 4.75%, and it doesn’t provide deductions to help seniors reduce what they owe in taxes on retirement savings or pension income. However, the state exempts Social Security benefits for all residents, helping seniors in Forest City save money toward local assisted living costs.
• With a cost of living score of 81.5, Forest City ranks as a budget-friendly place to live. By comparison, the state average runs about 10 points higher. Housing costs come in notably lower than state and national norms, promoting affordable assisted living costs, and the state funds several waiver programs to help qualified seniors access necessary supports.
• Forest City ranks among the least safe communities in the nation, with the city reporting about 75 crimes per 1,000 people in a given year. Residents are about three times more likely to experience a nonviolent offense and about 50% more likely to become victims of a violent crime. Assisted living facilities in this city have security features, such as monitored surveillance systems and security gates, giving residents peace of mind.
• Rutherford Regional Medical Center sits about 6 miles outside Forest City in Rutherfordton, providing access to specialties such as behavioral health services, orthopedics and cardiology. This 143-bed acute care hospital also provides emergency services and surgical care, offering robust support for assisted living residents.
• Rutherford County, where Forest City sits, ranks below state and national norms for health care outcomes and factors. The life expectancy in this region is about four years shy of the national norm, and there's only one physician for every 2,230 residents compared to the national rate of 1:1,330. Fortunately, assisted living facilities provide access to on-site health and wellness services, supporting better outcomes for residents.