How Much Does a Care Home Cost in the UK? (2026 Data)

The national median cost of residential care in England is approximately £1,185 per week (£61,620/year). Nursing care is higher at around £1,450 per week (£75,400/year). These figures are drawn from TreatCompare's analysis of NHS England data across 93 local authorities, covering the actual rates councils pay and the premiums self-funders face.

What does a care home cost per week?

| Service type | National median | Low end | High end | |---|---|---|---| | Residential care | £1,185/week | £700/week | £1,400/week | | Nursing care | £1,450/week | £900/week | £1,750/week | | Residential dementia | £1,300/week | £800/week | £1,550/week | | Nursing dementia | £1,575/week | £1,000/week | £1,900/week |

These are indicative ranges. Actual fees vary significantly by council area, provider, and room type. For council-level data, see the care costs hub.

What's included in care home fees

Standard care home fees typically cover:

• Accommodation — a private or shared room with furniture
• Meals — three meals per day plus snacks and drinks
• Personal care — help with washing, dressing, toileting, and mobility
• Laundry — washing of personal clothing and bed linen
• Heating and utilities — all household energy costs
• Activities — organised social activities within the home
• 24-hour staffing — care staff on site at all times

For nursing homes, fees also include registered nurse cover around the clock.

What's NOT included

Care home fees rarely cover:

• Hairdressing and beauty treatments — typically charged separately
• Chiropody and podiatry — unless part of an NHS referral
• Personal items — toiletries, clothing, newspapers, phone top-ups
• Escort to external appointments — GP, hospital, dental
• Premium room supplements — larger rooms, en-suite bathrooms, garden views
• Top-up fees — if the council rate doesn't cover the home's full fee

These extras can add £50-150 per month to the headline fee. Always ask for a full breakdown before committing to a placement.

Self-funder vs council-funded rates

If you are paying for your own care (a "self-funder"), you will almost certainly pay more than someone whose place is funded by the local authority.

| Funding type | Typical weekly cost (residential) | How it works | |---|---|---| | Council-funded | £800-1,000/week | Council negotiates bulk rates with providers | | Self-funder | £1,000-1,400/week | You pay the home's full market rate |

Self-funders typically pay 20-40% more than council-funded residents for the same type of care. This cross-subsidy exists because council rates often fall below the actual cost of providing care, and homes make up the shortfall by charging self-funders more.

For a detailed breakdown of the financial assessment process, see the self-funding guide.

Regional variation

Care home costs are not uniform across England. The primary drivers of regional price differences are:

• Local labour markets — care worker wages vary significantly between regions
• Property costs — land and building values feed directly into fees
• Council procurement — some councils negotiate harder than others
• Provider mix — areas dominated by large chains vs independent homes price differently

As a general pattern, London and the South East are the most expensive regions, while the North East and Yorkshire tend to have the lowest fees. However, there are exceptions within every region — an affluent market town in the North West may cost more than a London borough with high social housing stock.

See the full regional breakdown on the costs by region page.

Council-level data

National averages mask enormous local variation. The difference between the cheapest and most expensive council areas can exceed 100%.

TreatCompare tracks care costs across 93 local authorities in England, using NHS England and CQC data. You can look up your specific council area to see:

• Median residential and nursing care fees
• Self-funder premium for your area
• Number of CQC-rated care homes
• Quality distribution (Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, Inadequate)

Find your council on the care costs hub.

How to reduce care home costs

There are several legitimate ways to reduce the cost of care:

1. Check your funding eligibility — the means test thresholds mean many people qualify for at least partial council funding. Use the cost calculator to estimate your position.
2. Apply for NHS Continuing Healthcare — if your primary need is health-related, the NHS may fund your entire placement at no cost to you.
3. Claim Attendance Allowance — a non-means-tested benefit worth up to £101.75/week that can be used towards care fees.
4. Consider a deferred payment agreement — borrow against your property to avoid an immediate sale.
5. Negotiate the fee — self-funders can and should negotiate, particularly for longer-term placements or off-peak admissions.
6. Look at neighbouring councils — a home 10 miles away in a different council area may be hundreds of pounds cheaper per week.

For the full funding breakdown, read who pays for a care home.