Assisted Living in North Dakota: A Family Guide
What assisted living is called in North Dakota, what it costs, how Medicaid can help, how to check a community’s license and inspections, and who to call if something goes wrong. Every fact links to the official source.
- Licensed by
- North Dakota Health and Human Services: assisted living is licensed by both Food and Lodging and the Health Response and Licensure Section; basic care facilities by the Health Facilities Unit1
- Licensed communities on Lilisity
- 127 assisted living
- Typical cost
- $4,729 a month (state median, CareScout 2025)
- Long-term care ombudsman
- (855) 462-5465, option 3, or (701) 328-46172
What assisted living is called in North Dakota
- Assisted living facilityA building with at least five living units serving five or more people who are not related to the owner or manager, offering support services that help residents stay as independent as possible.1
- Basic care facilityA separate state-licensed care setting. Basic care facilities are not certified to take part in Medicare or Medicaid, but a license makes the facility eligible for state funding for basic care services.3
What assisted living costs in North Dakota
The median cost of assisted living in North Dakota is $4,729 a month, below the national median of $6,200 (CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025, collected July to November 2025). Prices vary with the apartment, the level of care and the community, so ask each one for its current rate sheet, including care-level fees.
If more care is needed later: nursing home costs in North Dakota, with CareScout medians and the private-pay rates North Dakota nursing homes publish.
Plan with our free tools: how long will the money last? and home care or assisted living?
Paying for assisted living in North Dakota
Medicare does not pay for assisted living. Families pay from savings and income, long-term care insurance, or benefits such as VA Aid and Attendance (estimate it). Who actually pays for long-term care.
Medicaid. Medicaid does not pay rent or meals in assisted living. Whether North Dakota Medicaid pays for care services in assisted living, and which communities accept it, is a question for the state Medicaid agency or your local Area Agency on Aging.
How to check a community in North Dakota
Look up a license. The state posts a PDF list of licensed assisted living facilities (last updated August 28, 2025). Basic care facilities have a separate list on the Health Facilities Unit page. Search North Dakota’s records.4
Lilisity shows North Dakota’s inspection record on each community’s page where the state publishes one: the state’s own records, dated and linked to the official source.
Always visit in person, at a mealtime or in the evening if you can. Bring the tour scorecard and the 8 tour questions.
If something goes wrong
Complaints about care or conditions. North Dakota Health and Human Services has an online Assisted Living Complaint Intake Form, linked from its assisted living page. The long-term care ombudsman also takes concerns from assisted living residents and families. file online.5
Abuse, neglect or exploitation. Call 1-855-462-5465, press 2. How to report.6 If someone is in danger, call 911.
The long-term care ombudsman is a free advocate for residents of assisted living and nursing homes: they help resolve problems with a community, including move-out notices. Call (855) 462-5465, option 3, or (701) 328-4617 or find your local ombudsman.2
Find assisted living in North Dakota
Assisted living by city
Every community and county in North Dakota · 2 with verified resident testimonials
Common questions
The median is $4,729 a month (CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025), compared with $6,200 nationally.
North Dakota Health and Human Services: assisted living is licensed by both Food and Lodging and the Health Response and Licensure Section; basic care facilities by the Health Facilities Unit.
North Dakota Health and Human Services has an online Assisted Living Complaint Intake Form, linked from its assisted living page. The long-term care ombudsman also takes concerns from assisted living residents and families.
The state posts a PDF list of licensed assisted living facilities (last updated August 28, 2025). Basic care facilities have a separate list on the Health Facilities Unit page.
Sources
- Licensing agency, license types (hhs.nd.gov)
- Ombudsman (hhs.nd.gov)
- License types (hhs.nd.gov)
- License lookup (hhs.nd.gov)
- Complaints (forms.nd.gov)
- Reporting abuse (hhs.nd.gov)
- CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025 (state medians)
Facts checked against these official sources on September 28, 2026. Rules and programs change; confirm with the agency before making a decision. General information, not legal or financial advice.
What will senior living cost, and how will we pay?
Our free guide shows the starting prices communities post for each kind of care, walks you through a monthly budget, and explains how insurance, VA benefits, Medicaid and Medicare can help.

Free guide · 16 pages
Paying for Senior Living
Costs by type of care, a monthly budget, and how insurance, the VA, Medicaid and Medicare help.