These are North Carolina’s best-rated senior living communities, US News says
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- U.S. News included 67 NC senior living communities in its 2026 Best Senior Living ratings.
- The Charlotte area (14) and the Raleigh area (7) had NC’s best Senior Living communities.
- U.S. News reviewed more than 3,000 communities and surveyed on more than 20 criteria.
Some of the best senior living communities in the country are in North Carolina, according to a new report released Tuesday, April 14.
U.S. News & World included 67 senior living communities in North Carolina in its 2026 Best Senior Living ratings, based on a variety of factors including safety, caregiving, dining and overall value.
“As the demand for senior care evolves, North Carolina is setting a high bar, landing in the top 10 states for the highest number of ‘Best Senior Living’ communities,’” said Liz Pearce, director of senior living at U.S. News, in an emailed statement. “For North Carolinians, this means that whether they are looking in the Triangle or beyond, they are navigating one of the most competitive and high-performing senior living landscapes in the country, rooted in authentic feedback from their own neighbors.”
The Charlotte metro area has 13 “best senior living communities” while the Raleigh and Greensboro metro areas each have seven.
Charlotte senior living communities
Per the ratings, the following 13 senior living communities in the Charlotte metro area were named the best:
- Brighton Gardens of Charlotte, Charlotte
- The Cypress of Charlotte, Charlotte
- Merrywood on Park, Charlotte
- Sunrise of Providence, Charlotte
- Morningside of Concord, Concord
- Brookdale Weddington Park, Matthews
- Brookdale Square Monroe, Monroe
- Brookdale Square Monroe, Memory Care, Monroe
- The Haven & The Laurels in the Village at Carolina Place, Pineville
- Lutheran Retirement Center-Salisbury, Salisbury
- Brookdale New Hope, Gastonia
- Brookdale Union, Gastonia
- Morningside of Gastonia, Gastonia
An additional center, Watercrest Indian Land (located in Indian Land, South Carolina), was also included in the Charlotte metro area.
Triangle area senior living communities
Per the ratings, the following seven senior living communities in the Raleigh metro area were named the best:
- Sunrise of Cary, Cary
- Woodland Terrace, Cary
- The Cardinal at North Hills, Raleigh
- The Cypress of Raleigh, Raleigh
- Magnolia Glen, Raleigh
- Morningside of Raleigh, Raleigh
- Brookdale Smithfield, Smithfield
How is US News’ rankings calculated?
U.S. News & World Reports, which calls itself a “global authority in health care rankings and consumer advice,” reviewed more than 3,000 senior living communities and surveyed residents and family members on more than 20 different criteria including value, enrichment, safety, feeling of home, food quality and maintenance.
The rankings do not include citations from state regulatory authorities because the information is not available in all states, and some states have incomplete or outdated information, according to the methodology.
“By 2030, one in five Americans will be of retirement age, and while every individual’s path is different, many will eventually look to reside in a senior living community,” Pearce said.
In North Carolina, 19% of the population is over the age of 65, according to state demographer data.
This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 2:09 PM with the headline "These are North Carolina’s best-rated senior living communities, US News says."
