The 10 Best Nursing Homes in Durham, NC for 2024

Durham is among the most populous cities in North Carolina with nearly 280,000 residents, about 12% of whom are aged 65 and over. The city offers high access to health care services and has about 433 physicians per 100,000 people, over double the national rate. The region is home to some of the best hospitals in the nation, including Duke University Hospital, a nationally ranked hospital that’s recognized as the best in the state, and the University of North Carolina Medical Center, which is about 10 miles away in Chapel Hill. The city also offers affordable post-hospital care, with the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey reporting that local nursing homes charge $7,270 per month for semiprivate rooms. This is consistent with the state rate and several hundred dollars cheaper than the national average cost of care. 

Nursing homes provide the highest level of care available outside of an inpatient hospital setting. These facilities have licensed medical professionals who provide constant monitoring, personal care services and skilled nursing services. This is generally the most expensive senior care option. Those who don’t need this high level of care may obtain more suitable services in assisted living or in their own homes through home health care.

This guide outlines the cost of senior care services in Durham and provides an overview of the free resources available to seniors. 

In the Durham area, nursing homes charge approximately $7,270 per month for shared rooms. Private rooms are several hundred dollars more expensive at $8,502. 

Based on the rate for semiprivate rooms, Durham is among the more economically priced cities in the state and nation for nursing home care. On average, local care costs are $30 lower than the state median of $7,300 and nearly $500 lower than the national rate of $7,756. 

Several North Carolina cities have relatively affordable nursing home costs. In New Bern, rates are among the lowest in the state at $6,996. In Wilmington, rates are higher but still budget-friendly at $7,178. In the Greensboro area, facilities charge approximately $7,695 for services, and in Goldsboro, rates are among the highest in the state at $8,752.  

Nursing home care is the most expensive senior care option in Durham, with seniors paying $7,270 for semiprivate rooms and $8,502 for private accommodations. For seniors who require limited skilled nursing services, assisted living is a more affordable option at $4,050 per month. Those who prefer to obtain skilled nursing services in their own homes may opt for home health care, which is also relatively affordable at $4,767. Home care, which includes personal care without skilled nursing, is a little cheaper at $4,385. Adult day health care features personal care and some skilled nursing services in a daytime community setting for $1,333.