Non-medical home care in Raleigh-Durham does not have one universal hourly price. In August 2026, visible local starting rates on caregiver listings were in the low $20s, while a statewide survey median and LoLo Care's starting family rate were $30 per hour. The amount a family actually pays depends on the care model, tasks, schedule, visit minimum, fees, travel expenses, and any household-employer responsibilities.
Quick answer
Care.com reported average starting rates of $23.85 per hour in Raleigh and $21.38 in Durham when checked August 13, 2026. Those figures are based on rates listed by providers on its local platform pages, not complete quotes. [1] [6] CareScout's 2025 survey, released in 2026, reported a $30 statewide median hourly rate for a non-medical caregiver in North Carolina. [2] LoLo Care starts at $30 per hour with visits from one hour. [3] These are different measures, not interchangeable quotes.
Current price points to understand
Source and date checked | Measure | Reported amount | What it does not tell you |
|---|---|---|---|
Care.com, August 13, 2026 | Average starting profile rate, Raleigh | $23.85/hour | Final rate, taxes, fees, availability, and total employment cost |
Care.com, August 13, 2026 | Average starting profile rate, Durham | $21.38/hour | Final rate, taxes, fees, availability, and total employment cost |
CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey | North Carolina median, non-medical caregiver | $30/hour | A specific Triangle quote or minimum shift |
LoLo Care, August 13, 2026 | Starting family marketplace rate | $30/hour | Availability for a specific task, place, and time |
A starting listing rate can be lower than a completed family bill. An agency rate may include recruitment, payroll, insurance, supervision, and backup. A direct-hire wage may leave some of those responsibilities to the household. A marketplace rate may include platform coordination and payment processing under its current terms.
Seven factors that change the total
Type of help. Companionship and errands may price differently from hands-on personal care or specialized support.
Visit length. A one-hour visit and a four-hour minimum create very different totals even at the same hourly rate.
Schedule. Nights, weekends, holidays, short notice, and recurring blocks may have different availability or pricing.
Care model. Direct hire, agency, and marketplace arrangements bundle different responsibilities.
Transportation and expenses. Mileage, parking, tickets, groceries, and supplies may be separate.
Employment obligations. A direct-hire household may have payroll, tax, insurance, and workers' compensation responsibilities.
Cancellation and overtime. Late changes, long shifts, or overlapping coverage can add cost.
Compare a weekly need, not only an hourly rate
Suppose a family wants two three-hour visits each week. At $30 per hour, the visit charge is $180 per week before separate expenses. Four weeks would be $720, but an average calendar month is longer than four weeks, so a realistic monthly budget is about $780 before extras.
Now compare that with a provider that charges $26 per hour but requires four-hour visits. Two visits would cost $208 per week. The lower hourly rate produces the higher weekly total because of the minimum.
Write three columns for every quote:
Required hours and visit minimum
Hourly or shift charge plus all fees
Separate taxes, insurance, mileage, parking, or errand expenses
Direct hire can add household-employer questions
The IRS says a worker may be a household employee when the family controls both what work is done and how it is done. Federal household employment tax rules include wage thresholds and filing obligations. [4] Get current professional guidance for the actual arrangement; calling someone a contractor does not by itself settle the classification.
Questions to ask before accepting a quote
Is this a starting rate or the actual rate for our requested tasks?
What is the minimum visit and billing increment?
Are platform, assessment, registration, or payment fees added?
Who employs and insures the caregiver?
Are mileage, parking, groceries, or supplies separate?
Is there a different rate for weekends, holidays, or short notice?
What are the cancellation and refund terms?
Is backup included, attempted, or unavailable?
Does a long-term care policy require a specific provider type?
Get the answers in writing and date the quote.
Can Medicare or Medicaid help?
Original Medicare generally does not pay for companionship, homemaker services, or personal care when those are the only services needed. It covers qualifying home health under specific requirements. [5] North Carolina Medicaid and aging programs may support eligible people through specific services or waivers, but eligibility, availability, assessment, and provider rules apply. Do not assume a private-pay companion visit will be reimbursed.
Review the current official program rules before booking around an expected benefit.
LoLo Care pricing in context
LoLo Care's family rate starts at $30 per hour, visits can start at one hour, and pricing is shown before booking. The public starting rate matches the current North Carolina median reported by CareScout, while the one-hour option may reduce the total when a family truly needs a short visit. Availability depends on location, service, date, time, and caregiver schedule.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest type of home care?
There is no universally cheapest model once minimums, taxes, fees, insurance, administration, and backup are included. Compare the total for the same tasks and schedule.
Can I book only one hour?
LoLo accepts requests starting at one hour, subject to caregiver availability. Other providers may require longer shifts.
Why are agency rates often higher than caregiver listing rates?
An agency rate may include staffing, payroll, insurance, supervision, administration, and substitute coverage. Ask what is included instead of assuming the difference is pure markup.
How often should I recheck prices?
Recheck immediately before deciding and whenever the schedule or tasks change. Time-sensitive comparison articles should be reviewed at least quarterly.