---
title: "Assisted living vs group home: the difference"
description: "Assisted living communities and small group homes both give personal care. Size, staffing, setting, cost and who each fits, side by side."
url: https://seniorchoicecare.com/compare/assisted-living-vs-group-home/
updated: 2026-10-10
site: Senior Choice Care
---

Compare

# Assisted living vs a group home

The care can be similar. The setting and size are what really differ.

**2 minute read** Updated October 9, 2026Written by the Senior Choice Care team

In short

Assisted living communities usually have dozens to a hundred or more residents, with apartments, activities and staff on site day and night. Group homes, also called board and care homes, usually have 20 or fewer residents in a house-like setting, with personal care and round-the-clock staff but usually no nursing. Both are licensed by states, and Medicare pays for neither.

**Written by the Senior Choice Care team** Updated October 9, 2026. Facts are checked against the sources listed at the end of this page. General information; every family is different.

## Side by side

^ Assisted living and group homes

|  | Assisted living | Group home |
|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- |
| Size | About 25 to 100 or more residents | Usually 20 or fewer |
| Setting | Apartments, common areas | Rooms in a house |
| Services | Meals, personal care, medicine help, activities | Meals, personal care, staff around the clock |
| Medicare | Doesn't pay | Doesn't pay |

## Questions families ask

### Is a group home cheaper than assisted living?

It varies; ask each home for its full monthly cost.

### Which is better for dementia?

It depends on the home's training and safety features. Ask both.

### Are group homes regulated?

Yes, by the state, under various license names.

### Can a group home provide nursing care?

NIA says nursing and medical care usually are not provided at board and care homes.

## Sources

- [National Institute on Aging: Long-term care facilities, assisted living, nursing homes and other residential care](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/assisted-living-and-nursing-homes/long-term-care-facilities-assisted-living-nursing-homes)

## Read next

- [Compare](https://seniorchoicecare.com/compare/)
- [Residential care homes](https://seniorchoicecare.com/care-options/residential-care-homes/)
- [Adult family homes](https://seniorchoicecare.com/care-options/adult-family-homes/)
- [Assisted living](https://seniorchoicecare.com/care-options/assisted-living/)
- [Care manager vs case manager](https://seniorchoicecare.com/compare/care-manager-vs-case-manager/)
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- [Long-term care vs skilled nursing](https://seniorchoicecare.com/compare/long-term-care-vs-skilled-nursing/)

### Already on Medicare? Check your 2027 plan options.

Open enrollment runs October 15 through December 7. If doctors, prescriptions or health needs are changing, it is worth a look before the window closes.

[Medicare Advantage guides](https://seniorchoicecare.com/medicare-advantage/)

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