The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Asheville, NC for 2024

There are nine assisted living communities in Asheville. These communities have an average cost of around $2,750 per month. The actual cost of care varies depending on where the facility is located in the city and the types of amenities and level of care provided.

This guide provides information on assisted living in the area, as well as detailed costs on the different types of long-term care and what they provide. There is also information for seniors on the available resources throughout the city.

Assisted living communities in Asheville are regulated by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Adult Care Licensure Section. Guidelines are given for all programs and services, including safety, staffing, healthcare and accommodations.

• Seniors living in Asheville have access to several local hospitals for illness and chronic care. These facilities include the Asheville Specialty Hospital, Mission Hospital and the Mission St. Joseph campus.
• Asheville Rides Transit (ART) offers a program for seniors aged 65 and older who need transportation throughout the area. This service provides a free monthly bus pass that can be used on all of Asheville’s ART buses. Medicare recipients must provide their Medicare card information. This is ideal for active seniors who enjoy exploring the area or simply want to get out for lunch with friends or shopping on their own.
• The cost of living in Asheville is only slightly higher than the national average. Based on the cost of living index, the national average is 100. In Asheville, the average is 106, but items like transportation rank 83 compared to the national average of 100, so seniors who drive can expect to pay less for gas.
• Asheville gets up to 212 sunny days per year, with summer highs around 84 degrees and January lows around 25. Seniors who enjoy the snow may see up to 10 inches every winter, which is lower than the national average of 28 inches per year. During the colder months, residents may prefer exploring the local indoor sites or exercising in a gym instead of outdoors.
• Based on the annual BestPlaces Health Cost Index, Asheville ranks 111, which is higher than the national average of 100. This index refers to how healthy a city is and is based on items like air quality and water quality. Those with sensitive respiratory systems may find it easier to enjoy time outdoors in the fresh air.

According to Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, the average monthly cost of assisted living in Asheville is $2,750. This is lower than the state average of $3,800 and the national average of $4,300.

Compared to other cities throughout the state, Asheville is one of the most affordable areas. Charlotte residents pay around $4,649, and those in Greensboro pay an average of $4,509. Goldsboro facilities cost around $923 less, and Wilmington is one of the most expensive cities at $5,877 per month.

There are multiple options for long-term care for seniors in Asheville. Those who are still independent and prefer to age in place may want to choose homemaker services, which provides home and community-based services in the home, including grooming and housekeeping. This service is around $4,576 monthly. Those who require medical care pay slightly more at $4,671 per month. Adult day health care allows loved ones to continue working while the senior receives care only during the day. This is the least expensive option at $1,383. Seniors who require hospital-level care may choose a nursing home, with a private room costing around $9,064 per month and a semiprivate room at $8,000.

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.