How much does care cost in the UK?
Residential care averages around £1,160 per week in the UK, nursing homes typically cost £1,300–£1,800 per week and live-in care £1,300–£1,800 per week for one person (2025–26 guide figures). Home care is usually charged by the hour. Your actual cost depends on location, level of need and the provider, and some people receive council or NHS funding.
Families usually ask two questions at once: how much will care cost and who pays for it. This page answers the first with typical weekly ranges and points you to the guides that explain the second. The figures are indicative averages from our care-type guides, not quotes. Always ask each provider for current fees in writing.
Typical UK care costs at a glance
| Type of care | Typical cost (2025–26 guide figures) | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Home care (visiting carers) | £25–£35 per hour; roughly £175–£245 per week for a modest package | Home care guide |
| Residential care home | Around £1,160 per week on average; above £1,500 in London and the South East, nearer £900 in parts of the North and Wales | Residential care guide |
| Nursing home | £1,300–£1,800 per week before any NHS Funded Nursing Care contribution | Nursing care guide |
| Live-in care | £1,300–£1,800 per week for one person; £1,500–£2,100 for a couple | Live-in care guide |
| Respite (short break) care | Charged at the provider's hourly, daily or weekly rate for the type of care used | Respite care guide |
| Dementia care | Depends on the setting; specialist dementia units usually cost more than standard residential care | Dementia care guide |
What changes the price
- Where the care is. London and the South East are consistently the most expensive regions.
- Level of need. Dementia care, nursing needs, two-person assistance and overnight waking care all raise the fee.
- The room and facilities. En-suite rooms and larger rooms often cost more.
- What is included. Extras such as hairdressing, outings or one-to-one support may be charged separately.
NHS Funded Nursing Care from April 2026
In England, people who live in a nursing home and are not eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare may receive a flat NHS contribution called Funded Nursing Care, paid directly to the home. From 1 April 2026 the standard weekly rate is £267.68 (up from £254.06), and the higher rate is £368.24. It reduces the fee the family pays; it does not cover the full cost. See our nursing care guide for how it works.
Who pays for care?
You may pay in full, in part, or not at all, depending on needs and finances:
- Council needs and means assessment: the council may contribute if capital is below the threshold (£23,250 in England).
- NHS Continuing Healthcare: covers the full cost for people whose needs are primarily health-related. Use the CHC eligibility checker to see whether it is worth applying.
- Self-funding: paying from savings, income, pensions or property, including options such as a care fee annuity.
- Care fee reclaim: if CHC funding was wrongly refused, past fees may be recoverable.
Get an estimate for your situation
Our care cost calculator gives an illustrative estimate from your inputs (see how the estimates work). To compare real providers near you, use find care, and check homes with our care home viewing checklist.