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

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

Illinois

$7,148/mo

Nursing home (private room)

Senior population: 16.1%

North Carolina

$8,304/mo

Nursing home (private room)

Senior population: 17%

Which State is More Affordable for Senior Care?

Illinois has lower nursing home costs by $1,156/month ($13,872/year). Over 5 years, that's a difference of $69,360.

Detailed Cost Comparison

Care TypeIllinoisNorth CarolinaDifference
Nursing Home (Private)$7,148/mo$8,304/mo$1,156
Nursing Home (Semi-Private)$6,540/mo$7,452/mo$912
Assisted Living$4,750/mo$4,250/mo+$500
Home Health Aide$26.00/hr$23.00/hr+$3.00
Adult Day Care$1,650/mo$1,517/mo+$133
Homemaker Services$24.00/hr$21.00/hr+$3.00

Annual Cost Comparison

Illinois Annual Costs

Nursing Home (Private)$85,776/yr
Assisted Living$57,000/yr
Home Health Aide (8hr/day)$54,912/yr
Adult Day Care$19,800/yr

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which state has cheaper nursing homes: Illinois or North Carolina?
Illinois has lower nursing home costs. Illinois averages $7,148/month while North Carolina averages $8,304/month, a difference of $1,156/month.
How do assisted living costs compare between Illinois and North Carolina?
Assisted living in Illinois costs $4,750/month compared to $4,250/month in North Carolina.
What about home health aide costs?
Home health aides charge $26.00/hour in Illinois and $23.00/hour in North Carolina.
Which state has better Medicaid coverage for senior care?
Both states offer Medicaid coverage for nursing home care. Illinois: Illinois Medicaid covers nursing facilities. Community Care Program and various HCBS waivers available.... North Carolina: North Carolina Medicaid covers nursing facility care. Community Alternatives Program waivers available....

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