In 2021, Forbes ranked Charlotte as the fourth most popular retirement city in the United States, noting the city’s moderate climate, good air quality and excellent health care options. Seniors over the age of 60 make up 16% of Charlotte’s 874,579 residents, and North Carolina’s retiree-friendly tax regulations make the city an affordable option for retirement.

When seniors find they need help with daily care and living, including housekeeping and transportation, assisted living provides a supportive lifestyle. Residents may live in their own apartments or rooms and have access to social activities as well as services such as personal care and medication management. Assisted living options are for seniors who don’t need the 24-hour medical care provided in nursing homes. The monthly cost for assisted living in Charlotte averages $4,400, which is $390 higher than the North Carolina average of $4,010.

This guide provides information about Charlotte’s assisted living options, including average monthly care costs and the advantages and disadvantages of retiring in the city. A list of free local resources for seniors is included at the end.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Charlotte, NC

2014

Brookdale Carriage Club Providence

5804 Old Providence Road, Charlotte, NC, 28226

My tour experience at Brookdale Carriage Club Providence was good. The facility was very nice and they had a friendly environment. The person I met was very flexible when meeting with me. The rooms we … (read more)
My tour experience at Brookdale Carriage Club Providence was good. The facility was very nice and they had a friendly environment. The person I met was very flexible when meeting with me. The rooms we … (read more)

2013, 2015, 2016

Brookdale South Charlotte

5515 Rea Road, Charlotte, NC, 28226

I toured Brookdale South Charlotte. It was much better than the other place. They had both memory care and assisted living. It was very clean, and the staff were involved with the residents. I was the … (read more)
I toured Brookdale South Charlotte. It was much better than the other place. They had both memory care and assisted living. It was very clean, and the staff were involved with the residents. I was the … (read more)

Brookdale Charlotte East

6053 Wilora Lake Rd., Charlotte, NC, 28212

Brookdale Charlotte East is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, just a few minutes away from Charles T. Meyers Golf Course, Renaissance Park and Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Loved ones g … (read more)
Brookdale Charlotte East is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, just a few minutes away from Charles T. Meyers Golf Course, Renaissance Park and Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Loved ones g … (read more)

Sunrise on Providence

5114 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC, 28226

As soon as I drove up to Sunrise on Providence, I loved it. It’s old fashioned and I got that homey feeling about it. Some seniors were sitting outside and they were friendly even before I got inside. … (read more)
As soon as I drove up to Sunrise on Providence, I loved it. It’s old fashioned and I got that homey feeling about it. Some seniors were sitting outside and they were friendly even before I got inside. … (read more)

The Little Flower Assisted Living

8700 Lawyers Road, Charlotte, NC, 28227

I went to The Little Flower Assisted Living. It was really nice, we really liked it. Everybody was very friendly. It was definitely one of the best ones I’ve toured. The staff was great. The room was … (read more)
I went to The Little Flower Assisted Living. It was really nice, we really liked it. Everybody was very friendly. It was definitely one of the best ones I’ve toured. The staff was great. The room was … (read more)

Brighton Gardens of Charlotte

6000 Park South Drive, Charlotte, NC, 28210

I met Jodie when I visited Brighton Gardens of Charlotte, and she was very friendly, very inviting, and she seemed to care. She even followed up with me a little bit afterwards to check on my grandmot … (read more)
I met Jodie when I visited Brighton Gardens of Charlotte, and she was very friendly, very inviting, and she seemed to care. She even followed up with me a little bit afterwards to check on my grandmot … (read more)

The Post at Providence

4416 Esherwood Lane, Charlotte, NC, 28270

The Post At Providence has been a Godsend for our parent and our family. Yes, the home is beautiful, comfortable and clean. But it’s the caring staff, the friendly residents and their family members w … (read more)
The Post At Providence has been a Godsend for our parent and our family. Yes, the home is beautiful, comfortable and clean. But it’s the caring staff, the friendly residents and their family members w … (read more)

CoHomes Boutique Senior Living

11308 Harrowfield Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28226

I liked CoHomes Boutique Senior Living. My mom was there for respite care and it was a good experience. The community was great. I liked the staff. They washed and folded her clothes. She had a large … (read more)
I liked CoHomes Boutique Senior Living. My mom was there for respite care and it was a good experience. The community was great. I liked the staff. They washed and folded her clothes. She had a large … (read more)

2012

The Pines on Carmel

5820 Carmel Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28226

I visited The Pines on Carmel. I like that they had on-staff physical therapy and occupational therapy. They had social gatherings. They do things for the family and the members there on holidays, lik … (read more)
I visited The Pines on Carmel. I like that they had on-staff physical therapy and occupational therapy. They had social gatherings. They do things for the family and the members there on holidays, lik … (read more)

Senior Retreat At Stonehaven

6400 Burlwood Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211

Excellent Staff and beautiful building and grounds!!! Meals were great and is located in a great neighborhood near South Park Mall.
Excellent Staff and beautiful building and grounds!!! Meals were great and is located in a great neighborhood near South Park Mall.

Lakeside Place, Inc.

7725 Linda Lake Drive, Charlotte, NC, 28215


TerraBella Little Avenue

7745 Little Avenue, Charlotte, NC, 28226

It was a small, clean, and a quiet community. It had an activity room, and it had outside entertainment that they bring in from time to time. The residents are also able to go outside as long as they … (read more)
It was a small, clean, and a quiet community. It had an activity room, and it had outside entertainment that they bring in from time to time. The residents are also able to go outside as long as they … (read more)

Charter Senior Living of Charlotte

3610 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC, 28211

We toured Charter Senior Living of Charlotte. The staff did the best they could for the tour. It was the maintenance man that toured us because the administrator was not on duty. They were much better … (read more)
We toured Charter Senior Living of Charlotte. The staff did the best they could for the tour. It was the maintenance man that toured us because the administrator was not on duty. They were much better … (read more)

Senior Retreat at Park Crossing

10408 Avondale Avenue, Charlotte, NC, 28210

Strong sales pitch, but the reality is a nightmare. No activities, high turnover, and a condescending owner that has no care or compassion. All about the money, and the he’ll raise the rates on you … (read more)
Strong sales pitch, but the reality is a nightmare. No activities, high turnover, and a condescending owner that has no care or compassion. All about the money, and the he’ll raise the rates on you … (read more)

2016

Summit Place of Southpark

2101 Runnymede Ln, Charlotte, NC, 28209

My sister is at Summit Place of South Park. They’re very friendly. They seem to be very concerned about her care. My sister likes her room. My sister seems to like the food, too. She has only been th … (read more)
My sister is at Summit Place of South Park. They’re very friendly. They seem to be very concerned about her care. My sister likes her room. My sister seems to like the food, too. She has only been th … (read more)

Aldersgate

3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC, 28215

My grandfather was in Aldersgate; they went all the way to help my him, and I appreciated that. The staff was nice and caring. They had different events and activities like bingo, they had a little ga … (read more)
My grandfather was in Aldersgate; they went all the way to help my him, and I appreciated that. The staff was nice and caring. They had different events and activities like bingo, they had a little ga … (read more)

The Laurels & The Haven in Highland Creek

6101 Clarke Creek Parkway, Charlotte, NC, 28269

The Laurels & The Haven in Highland Creek is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, near the Clarke Creek pool and close to shopping centers and churches. The Laurels provides studios and one- or t … (read more)
The Laurels & The Haven in Highland Creek is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, near the Clarke Creek pool and close to shopping centers and churches. The Laurels provides studios and one- or t … (read more)

Legacy Heights Senior Living Community

11230 Ballantyne Trace Court, Charlotte, NC, 28277

My mother-in-law is at Legacy Heights Senior Living Community. It’s a very nice place, very clean, and they’re very careful about the COVID protocols. The meals are good. So we’re very happy with it. … (read more)
My mother-in-law is at Legacy Heights Senior Living Community. It’s a very nice place, very clean, and they’re very careful about the COVID protocols. The meals are good. So we’re very happy with it. … (read more)

Southminster

8919 Park Road, Charlotte, NC, 28210

Southminster is a newer facility, but it’s high-priced. They have a wellness facility and people can work out there and do stuff. They had appliances in the apartment like a stove and a refrigerator i … (read more)
Southminster is a newer facility, but it’s high-priced. They have a wellness facility and people can work out there and do stuff. They had appliances in the apartment like a stove and a refrigerator i … (read more)

2016

Waltonwood Providence

11945 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC, 28277

My mother was a resident at Waltonwood Providence. The building itself was gorgeous, clean, and large. A lot of the staff were great. The day-to-day staff sometimes were constantly changing because th … (read more)
My mother was a resident at Waltonwood Providence. The building itself was gorgeous, clean, and large. A lot of the staff were great. The day-to-day staff sometimes were constantly changing because th … (read more)

COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living in Charlotte

Since most COVID-19 rules for Assisted Living Communities and other Senior Living Facilities are set at the state level, you can view the specific rules for your state on our Guide to Assisted Living in North Carolina. Keep in mind that every community has specific policies that they put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.

What To Consider About Assisted Living in Charlotte

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services oversees all assisted living facilities and regulates facility licensing. The office is responsible for performing regular, unannounced inspections to ensure all state rules and regulations are upheld.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Charlotte

  • Charlotte offers a relatively warm climate for seniors who enjoy being outdoors, with 218 days of sunshine, barely two inches of snow a year and temperatures reaching 90 degrees for 41 days between May and September. The average winter low temperature is 30 degrees. Charlotte receives an average of 43 inches of rain per year, five inches more than the U.S. average.
  • North Carolina is a senior retiree tax-friendly state with income tax exemptions for all Social Security retirement benefits, allowing seniors to keep more of their retirement income. All other retirement income is taxed at a fixed rate of 5.25%.
  • Charlotte has a cost of living index of 98.9 compared to the U.S. average of 100. The city’s cost of living is higher than the state index of 90.6, with groceries costing slightly more than the state average, but health care costs are lower than the state average, with an index of 100 versus 107.5 for the state.
  • Charlotte’s crime rates are higher than U.S. averages. On a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 being the worst, Charlotte’s violent crime rate is 34.3 versus the U.S. average of 22.7, and property crime is 53.6 compared to the U.S. average of 35.4. However, assisted living facilities offer 24/7 security, providing seniors with a safe living environment.
  • Seniors have access to several world-class hospitals located in Charlotte, including the Atrium Health-Carolinas Medical Center and the Novant Health System. Atrium Health was voted the Best Regional Hospital in Charlotte by U.S. News & World Report, and Novant Health System is nationally recognized by the Joint Commission as a certified quality medical facility.
  • There’s no shortage of fine dining establishments and shopping malls in Charlotte, and for seniors who enjoy golf, the Wells Fargo Championship comes to Charlotte every year as part of the PGA Tour.  

Paying for Assisted Living in Charlotte

The Genworth Cost of Care Survey reports an average monthly cost of $4,400 for assisted living in Charlotte compared to the state average of $4,010. These costs are fairly close to the national median cost of $4,500 monthly.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

Charlotte is among the more expensive North Carolina cities for assisted living. Fayetteville has a much lower average of $3,000 a month for assisted living. The most expensive assisted living in North Carolina is Raleigh with a monthly average of $5,388, and for seniors on a limited budget, Goldsboro is an urban city southeast of Raleigh with the lowest cost of $2,700.

$4400

Charlotte

$4010

North Carolina

$4500

The United States

$3000

Fayetteville

$5388

Raleigh

$2700

Goldsboro

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Seniors in Charlotte have additional long-term care options depending on their needs. Adult day health care is appropriate for seniors who only need weekday care and supervision, averaging $1,192 per month. For seniors who can stay at home, homemaker services are available at $4,668 monthly. Home health aides are available to offer the same services as a homemaker with some medical assistance included for $4,767. If a higher level of medical care is needed, nursing homes in Charlotte average $7,756 for a semiprivate room and $8,608 for a private room.

$4668

Homemaker Services

$4767

Home Health Aide

$1192

Adult Day Health Care

$4400

Assisted Living Facility

$7756

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$8608

Nursing Home Facility (private room)

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Charlotte

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in North Carolina page.

Paying for Assisted Living Facilities in North Carolina

More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living

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.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Charlotte

Charlotte offers seniors numerous free resources, including recreational activities, classes, legal advice, exercise, wellness and the services of the local ombudsman. 

Resource

Contact

Service

(980) 314-1000

The Charlotte Park and Recreation Department offers several Senior Centers located in Mecklenburg County. Classes include fitness, educational seminars and arts and culture. Computer labs and full-sized gymnasiums with allotted times for seniors to engage in pickleball, basketball and other sports are available in most of the centers. Several centers also have a pool and walking tracks. Seniors can join their peers for a lively game of bingo or try their hand at canasta.

(800) 662-7030

Workshops are offered to seniors 60 and older with the goal of promoting healthy living to reduce disease and disability as they age. All workshops are facilitated by two trained leaders and help participants learn skills that will help them manage chronic health conditions. Topics include diabetes, medication management, healthy eating, exercise, making informed treatment decisions and dealing with frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation. All sessions are two and a half hours long.

(800) 508-5777

The ombudsmen advocate for seniors who reside in long-term care communities. Volunteers aim to resolve grievances between residents, their families and facilities.

Ombudsmen answer questions about long-term care for seniors, offer help with long-term care community selection, provide information about Medicaid and Medicare and educate residents about their rights.

(704) 336-4547 

Adults who qualify for Medicaid transportation are provided free bus service to and from medical appointments. Other rides are available at low fares for seniors.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Charlotte

Charlotte-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in North Carolina are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in North Carolina page for more information about these laws.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in North Carolina