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 teamUpdated 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.