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How much does a care home cost near me?
Choosing a care home for yourself or for a family member is a very important decision. Many things need to be taken into consideration such as location and facilities and whether it feels right for you. But one of the most important things to look at first is: how much does a care home cost near me?
Knowing what residential care you can afford in the area where you currently live is vital. Most people want to stay close to where they live at the moment so they can retain their close connections to nearby family and friends.
The local authority will pay for the care home if you are below the monetary threshold. The thresholds are different depending on what country you live in the UK.
If you are paying for your own care, you will have a wider choice of care homes. Of course this is budget dependent.
What is the average cost of a care home?
The cost of a residential setting in the UK will differ according to its location, the type of care it provides and what kind of facilities it has.
If you are paying for your own care:
- The average weekly cost of residential care is £1,291.
- The average monthly cost of residential care is £5,164.
- The average annual cost of residential care is £67,132
- The average weekly cost of nursing care is £1,545
- The average monthly cost of nursing care is £6,180.
- The average annual cost of nursing care is £80,340
What are the regions with the highest fees?
London, Scotland and South East England are the regions with care homes with higher fees.
London and Scotland have the highest care home fees for self-funders
London which has the highest property wealth in Britain also has one of the highest concentration of care homes with higher fees.
Residential care homes in the capital cost an average of £1,541 per week. London also has the highest average costs for nursing care with £1,771 a week.
London is matched by Scotland, where residential care homes also cost an average of £1,541 per week.
Higher care home prices in Scotland are thought to be partly due to the minimum wage for full-time care workers in Scotland being over £750 per year higher than for those in England and Wales.
In South East England, the average cost for residential care is £1,440.
There is, as expected, a divide between the price of care in the North and South of England, reflecting the high property wealth in the south.
North East England is the region with lower fees for self-funders
North East England, offers residential care for older people for an average of £1,109 per week, nearly £200 lower than the national average. Nursing care there costs £1,261 per week.
Dementia nursing care is almost £300 lower in North East England, than the national average, at £1,286 per week.
Residential care for older people in North West England costs an average of £1,134 a week, with Welsh care homes costing on average £1,143 a week.
Care home costs vary significantly by region
Comparison table of regional care home costs
| Region | Residential care | Nursing care | Residential dementia care | Dementia nursing care |
| East Midlands | £1,187 | £1,356 | £1,231 | £1,409 |
| East of England | £1,339 | £1,595 | £1,379 | £1,559 |
| London | £1,541 | £1,771 | £1,591 | £1,775 |
| North East England | £1,109 | £1,261 | £1,143 | £1,286 |
| North West England | £1,134 | £1,431 | £1,191 | £1,467 |
| Scotland | £1,541 | £1,672 | £1,607 | £1,680 |
| South East England | £1,440 | £1,700 | £1,489 | £1,708 |
| South West England | £1,307 | £1,566 | £1,356 | £1,584 |
| Wales | £1,143 | £1,394 | £1,219 | £1,470 |
| West Midlands | £1,185 | £1,437 | £1,222 | £1,444 |
| Yorkshire & The Humber | £1,162 | £1,406 | £1,188 | £1,436 |
| UK average fee | £1,291 | £1,545 | £1,338 | £1,569 |
What’s included in the care home fees?
Most care home fees will include:
- 24/7 personal or nursing care (Personal and nursing care is free in Scotland for those assessed as needing it).
- Accommodation and utilities such as electricity and water
- Meals and snacks
- Laundry
- Social activities and entertainment
Not always included:
- Chiropody or podiatry
- Hairdressing
- Physiotherapy
- Transport to appointments
- Personal toiletries
Care home fees map
Who pays for a care home?
The amount you pay towards care fees depends on where you live in the UK and the value of your assets (such as property, savings, and investments).
England
- If you have over £23,250, you pay all care costs.
- If you have between £14,250 and £23,250, you pay some costs.
- If you have £14,250 or less, you may get financial help.
Scotland
- If you have over £35,000, you pay all accommodation costs.
- If you have under £21,500, you may get the maximum help.
- If you’re eligible for personal care, the council will pay for it.
Wales
- If you have under £50,000, the local council pays for your care.
Northern Ireland
- Same as England:
- Over £23,250 – you pay all costs.
- £14,250 or less – you may get some help.
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
This is fully funded care (including medical needs) for people with complex, ongoing health issues. Eligibility is strict and can be a postcode lottery depending on where you live.
Deferred Payment Scheme
If most of your wealth is in your home, the council can pay now and recover costs later when the home is sold.
What are the next steps?
- Speak to your local authority – ask for a care needs and financial assessment.
- Shortlist care homes near you using websites like:
- carehome.co.uk
- Phone carehome.co.uk’s care help line if you need more guidance on finding and choosing a care home
- Request a breakdown of fees from the residential setting – ask what’s included and what’s not.
- Visit the homes – and look at ratings by the care regulator
- Plan early – especially if you will have to pay for residential care yourself.
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