North Dakota’s assisted living communities provide personalized care tailored to each resident’s needs while promoting independence through social activities, chef-prepared meals, and maintenance-free living. Residents receive support with activities of daily living, medication management, and wellness services in comfortable, community-focused settings. Known for its wide-open prairies and attractions like the Enchanted Highway scenic drive, the state offers a calm, low-key lifestyle and a relatively low overall cost of living. Seniors can find assisted living options in cities such as Bismarck and Minot, as well as in Fargo and Grand Forks. In 2026, the average cost of assisted living in North Dakota is $3,853 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.
The staff seems very kind and caring. My sister seems happy there. Not as many activities that she would enjoy. Would like to see more crafts and such. Also because her memory is so bad it would be nice...
I like the employees and the smaller homey atmosphere of Hay Creek. I would recommend to others. Just thank you for taking good care of my mother
Staff were very helpful and also gave space when needed for my mom and dad. They liked the puzzles and music activities. Rides to physical therapy were very helpful.
I found the facility accommodations & offerings all very acceptable for my sister. The staff was always courteous & helpful when I visited my sister. I was not able to visit regularly but I do consider...
We spent a lot of time looking at other facilities. We checked corners of hallways for cleanliness, dust on light fixtures, how the staff greeted people not only us, room designs, security, programs for...
When it comes to the meals and dining, mom didn't comment either way and I never saw what she was served. Mom was not able or interested in participating. It is expensive but all senior living facilities...
My parents live at The Legacy Place and love it! What's to not love? They cook and clean and do all the laundry for them. There staff is top notch and I believe they love my parents almost as much as I do....
When it comes to the meals and dining, mom didn't comment either way and I never saw what she was served. Mom was not able or interested in participating. It is expensive but all senior living facilities...
I found the facility accommodations & offerings all very acceptable for my sister. The staff was always courteous & helpful when I visited my sister. I was not able to visit regularly but I do consider...
We spent a lot of time looking at other facilities. We checked corners of hallways for cleanliness, dust on light fixtures, how the staff greeted people not only us, room designs, security, programs for...
I like the employees and the smaller homey atmosphere of Hay Creek. I would recommend to others. Just thank you for taking good care of my mother
I toured Maple View and absolutely loved it. The staff was welcoming, kind and very interactive with their residents. I saw lots of smiles. The atmosphere was very calming, homey and clean. The building...
I would recommend the facility - accommodations are like a full apartment. Family can stay in the apartment with their family members. Our momma has been well taken care of.
The average cost of assisted living in North Dakota is $3,853 per month or $46,236 per year, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. This is around $890 less per month than the national average of $4,740. This cost reflects only the base room and board cost at our partner communities. Cost can vary depending on the level of care needed, location, room size, and luxury amenities.
When compared to bordering states, assisted living in North Dakota is less expensive. In Minnesota and Nebraska, assisted living costs are a little over $4,300 per month. In South Dakota and Wyoming, rates are comparable to those in North Dakota. Costs vary throughout the state, with communities in more urban areas, such as Bismark, costing more than the state average. Costs are much lower in places like Minot and Fargo.
Independent living for seniors looking to downsize and have less maintenance can save you around $450 per month on average.
Read more:Assisted Living vs. Independent Living: What’s the Difference?
Average monthly costs
North Dakota
US National average
Average monthly costs
Average monthly costs
Average monthly costs
| Community type | North Dakota | U.S. | Cost difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assisted Living | $3,813/mo | $4,760/mo | 19.9% below national median |
| Memory Care | $3,813/mo | $5,025/mo | 24.1% below national median |
| Independent Living | $3,353/mo | $4,219/mo | 20.5% below national median |
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Most families rely on funds from a combination of sources to pay for assisted living. Because costs and eligibility can vary widely, it’s best to plan early to understand which payment options apply to your loved one’s situation. The following sections outline the most common payment options available to Florida seniors. For a broader overview, visit our complete guide to paying for long-term care.
Private pay is the most common way that families in North Dakota pay for assisted living. Personal funding sources can include savings and retirement accounts, health savings accounts (HSAs), Social Security Benefits, and more. Some seniors use long-term care insurance, but these policies need to be in place before care is needed.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may provide pension or disability benefits to senior veterans and their spouses, which can help pay for assisted living. Evaluating eligibility requirements and the process of applying for benefits can be complicated, so it’s a good idea to engage an accredited benefits counselor. County veteran service officers (VSOs) in North Dakota can assist seniors and their families in navigating VA benefits. Find a local VSO or call the main office of the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs at 701-239-7165.
Medicaid, a joint program of the federal and state governments, supports people who have limited financial resources and people who have certain conditions and disabilities. While Medicaid won’t cover the cost of room and board in assisted living communities, it may pay for some health and personal care services for eligible seniors. North Dakota Medicaid helps eligible seniors pay for these services in several ways:
For questions about North Dakota Medicaid, or for help with an application, call the state’s Customer Support Center at 866-614-6005 or visit a local human service zone office.
Medicare is federal health insurance plan for people 65 or older. It won’t cover room and board in assisted living, but will pay for medically necessary services and products, such as doctor’s visits, prescriptions, and durable medical equipment.
Understanding the complexities of Medicare can be challenging. The North Dakota State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) answers residents’ questions and helps them find the coverage that fits their health care needs.
In North Dakota there are two types of residential care settings that serve older adults. Each is licensed and regulated separately by different departments within the Department of Health & Human Services:
Both types of communities provide housing and health and personal care services. The main differences between the two types of communities are:
Use the basic care facility lookup tool to find a list of licensed facilities. To find inspection reports for assisted living communities, visit the facility inspection lookup tool.
State regulations — and a community’s track record with inspections and licensing — offer important insights into safety and quality of care in senior living communities.
Download the Guide to Senior Living Licensure and Inspection Reports to learn what to look for in inspection reports and what questions to ask when touring communities. This resource explains how to use state licensure and inspection information to evaluate a community’s compliance, care standards, and responsiveness to issues.
Let our care assessment guide you
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
A Place for Mom. (2026). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. Home and community-based long term care.
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Get started with Medicare. Medicare.gov.
North Dakota Department of Health & Human Services. Assisted living.
North Dakota Department of Health & Human Services. Basic care facilities.
Guidehouse. (2024, Aug.). Study of basic care facilities and assisted living in North Dakota.
North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. Long-term care facilities: level of care descriptions.
Overview of assisted living in ND
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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